The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday announced that all first time applicants for normal passports will be able to avail passports on post-police verification basis without any additional fees. The MEA also launched ‘mPassport Police App’, a phone application that allows quick submission of Police Verification Report. The Ministry has made these reforms to speed-up the issuance of passports.
French army first foreign contingent at R-Day
French army soldiers on Tuesday became the first foreign military contingent to take part in India’s Republic Day parade. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Bury of the 35th Infantry Regiment, the 76-member contingent marched down Rajpath before President Pranab Mukherjee, French President François Hollande and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also, a French band played two military tunes at the parade.
Books on Param Veer Chakra awardees launched
HRD Minister Smriti Irani and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Monday launched the first batch of books on the Param Vir Chakra awardees. The books aim to introduce the younger generation to the stories of valour of the bravest of brave Indian soldiers and inspire them. The illustrated story books are meant for children between 7 and 11 years.
Reports claim shot-down balloon came from Pak
The balloon shot down by a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft over Rajasthan on Republic Day came from Pakistan, according to reports. The balloon was flying at approximately 25,000 feet, and could have been sent to gauge India’s response time. The Indian Air Force said, “on analysis of the debris it was established that there was no dangerous payload.”