“Hoping for a successful awakening for another set of assignments. Else, it will forever stay there as India’s lunar ambassador,” ISRO said
https://5393539668f120b9e574232df6a36d42.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlNew Delhi: The Chandrayaan-3 mission’s rover Pragyan has completed its assignments, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said today. The rover has been safely parked and put into sleep mode, ISRO said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Currently, the battery is fully charged. The solar panel is oriented to receive light at the next sunrise expected on September 22, 2023. The receiver is kept on,” ISRO said.
“Hoping for a successful awakening for another set of assignments. Else, it will forever stay there as India’s lunar ambassador,” the space agency said.
The 26-kg, six-wheeled, solar-powered rover Pragyan is equipped to use its scientific instruments to record what the lunar soil and rocks are made of in the south polar region where Chandrayaan-3’s lander Vikram touched down.
ISRO said APXS and LIBS payloads have been turned off and data from these payloads is transmitted to Earth via lander Vikram.
The APXS instrument is best suited for in situ analysis of the elemental composition of soil and rocks on the surface of planetary bodies having little atmosphere, such as the Moon. APXS observations have discovered the presence of interesting minor elements, including sulphur, apart from the major expected elements such as aluminium, silicon, calcium and iron.
The Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument on board the rover has already confirmed the presence of sulphur.

Kolkata: Industrial protective gear maker Jiwanram Sheoduttrai Industries Ltd (JSIL) on Friday said it is carrying out trials and testing for supplying “self-heating” vests for defence personnel posted at high altitude and freezing conditions.
The Kolkata-based company has filed draft papers to raise between Rs 15-18 crore through an IPO.
“We are exploring to supply to the defence sector. We are now evaluating self-heating vests for defence personnel for use at very high altitudes. We are carrying out trials and testing,” JSIL Managing Director Alok Prakash said.
He said the company will also explore other clothing for defence personnel.
The MSME company aims to raise funds via SME IPO by offering 74,22,000 fresh equity shares and the approval has been received. The shares will be listed on the National Stock Exchange SME platform.
“It will be a fixed price issue and the final price will be announced on Monday. Post issue, the promoters will hold about 72 per cent,” Prakash said.

Niamey: Thousands of people supporting the new military rulers of the West African Country, Niger rallied near a military base housing French soldiers on Saturday, demanding France to withdraw its ambassadors and troops from the country as sought by the new Junta establishment, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday.
The rally came after a call of several civic organisations hostile to the French military presence and new military rulers’ accusations against former France colonial power of “interference”.
They held up banners proclaiming, “French army, leave our country.”
As per Al Jazeera, Niger’s military government, which seized power on July 26, has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of using divisive rhetoric in his comments about the coup and seeking to impose a neocolonial relationship with its former colony.
Quoting the security personnel in Niamey, Al Jazeera reported that the protest was scheduled to start at 3 pm (14:00 GMT) but thousands of protesters gathered by 10 am(09:00 GMT).
The protests have been going on in Niger’s Niamey for the past few days but turned violent on Saturday when the protesters started breaking the barriers set up by the security forces and tried to approach the base.
The military has since reinforced the area around the French base, which houses about 1,500 French troops, and warned against forceful entry and about the repercussions that would follow.
But the demonstrators said they would not leave.
“All military bases. We want to fight to remove from our country all military bases,” said protester Doubou-Kambou Hamidou. “We don’t want it. Because for more than 13 years, terrorism has been here. They don’t care to fight terrorism,” he told Al Jazeera.
On August 29, France President Emmanuel Macron said that France’s ambassador to Niger will stay in the Sahel country in spite of the pressure being mounted to leave by the leaders of the recent coup, Al Jazeera reported.
Macron on Monday also reaffirmed France’s support for the deposed president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum. Macron had also lauded Bazoum’s decision to refuse to resign. Additionally, Macron stated that Paris would back any military action taken in Niger by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The French president acknowledged that French envoy Sylvain Itte was listening in from Niamey, the capital of Niger, despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave the country last Friday. He was speaking to ambassadors gathered in Paris for a significant speech on foreign policy, according to Al Jazeera.
“France and its diplomats have faced particularly difficult situations in some countries in recent months, from Sudan, where France has been exemplary, to Niger at this very moment and I applaud your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their posts,” he said.
Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 and is currently being held at the presidential palace along with his family in a coup that has been denounced by France and the majority of Niger’s neighbours.
In the event that diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement with the coup leaders fail, ECOWAS has stated that it is prepared to send soldiers to restore constitutional order, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The French ambassador was given 48 hours to depart, according to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that he had refused to meet with the country’s new leaders and had done so because doing so was “contrary to the interests of Niger”.
Macron stressed that France would not budge from its position of denouncing the coup and supporting Bazoum, emphasising that he had been chosen democratically.
“I think our policy is the right one. It’s based on the courage of President Bazoum, and on the commitments of our ambassador on the ground who is remaining despite all the pressure, despite all the declarations made by the illegitimate authorities,” said Macron, Al Jazeera reported.

PM Modi, who turned ‘Look East’ into ‘Act East’, has asked diplomats to expand ties with the ASEAN countries. ‘Region-wise strategy is being worked out to corner and counter China,’ said officials
https://91fb680cbbd3ca38f2f7d25ce3e27176.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlby Rajesh Mehta
New Delhi: By talking tough on border issues during a brief meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the stage for India’s diplomatic, military and security establishments to give a fresh impetus to the ongoing strategic efforts to counter China on different fronts. “Instructions from the top leadership of the country categorically are that diplomats, officials and military commanders should focus more on boosting India’s deterrence power and deepening cooperation with Quad nations, ASEAN and the Pacific islands,” a diplomatic source privy to high-level meetings in New Delhi told The Sunday Guardian.
According to sources, PM Modi, ministers and top diplomatic and security officials will utilise these global forums and different international conclaves to achieve “New Delhi’s strategic goal of countering Beijing’s expansionist and aggressive agenda”. “Ramping up outreach to Taiwan will be one of the major steps included in the strategy,” an official told this newspaper. Despite a tight schedule due to the forthcoming G20 summit on 9-10 September in New Delhi, PM Modi is keen to attend the ASEAN summit in Jakarta on 6-7 September. This shows PM Modi’s eagerness to reach out to ASEAN countries with the strategy to contain China in mind, say officials.
The visit holds importance within the framework of India’s Act East Policy, they add. PM Modi’s focus is on deepening ASEAN partnership which serves as a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy. Sources said that PM Modi is expected to have bilateral meetings with several ASEAN leaders to boost regional collaboration and strengthen ties aimed also at containing a belligerent Beijing. Obviously, India’s strategy to counter China’s influence will be one of the focus areas, sources said. In fact, India recognises ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific framework, particularly in the context of China’s influence and its maritime tensions with ASEAN countries. With this in the background, PM Modi’s ASEAN outreach assumes significance. The PM will also participate in the East Asia Summit apart from the India-ASEAN summit.
Three of the ASEAN nations, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam have opposed China’s so-called “standard map” which has already been the subject of a strong protest by India over the inclusion of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh with Chinese borders. India is making hectic efforts to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, which is being seen as a move that will allow countries to counter China’s dominance in the region. PM Modi, who turned “Look East” into “Act East” after coming to power in 2014, has asked diplomats to double down and expand ties with the ASEAN and South East Asian countries to rein in China in the region. “Region-wise strategy is being worked out to corner and counter China,” said officials here.
“Another effective diplomatic tool that India is keen to use against China is Taiwan. The Indian government is keen to increase outreach to Taiwan in the days to come on economic, trade, strategic and diplomatic fronts,” officials said. China, which called on India to stay objective and calm and avoid over-interpreting the issue of the Chinese map, said on Thursday that India should follow the “one China principle” and not have military and security cooperation with Taiwan. China’s reaction came weeks after three former Indian service chiefs visited the self-governed island, which Beijing claims as a breakaway region. Former Army Chief, M.M. Naravane, Navy Chief Karambir Singh, and former Air Chief R.K.S. Bhadauria visited and delivered talks in Taipei for the Ketagalan Forum’s 2023 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue on 8 August, a low-key but rare visit by the former top leadership of the Indian armed forces. “China, which is asking India to remain calm over the map issue, is going ballistic on this, feeling that its One China policy is being contested,” a diplomat said.
Sources said that India would continue to send many more senior officials to Taiwan like this, cocking a snook at China. “PM Modi wants India to enhance cooperation and dialogue among relevant parties so as to maintain and advance peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” a diplomat said.
The Modi government is pulling out all stops to address the border security concerns posed by China. Only recently, the Indian Army has placed an order worth Rs 7,300 crore for weapons from domestic manufacturers. Contracts worth another Rs 7,000 crore are in the advanced stages of procurement. They are expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Sources told The Sunday Guardian that PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have reviewed the status of the procurements of arms and weapons by the Indian Army. Drone and counter-drone systems, automated spectrum monitoring systems, loiter munitions weapons, simulators, communication systems, and vehicles are there in the list of equipment, sources said.
While going to the east coast of Australia for participating in the Malabar Exercise that had coincided with Chinese warship Hai Yang 24, a surveillance vessel, calling at Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Indian naval warships sailed through Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. This underlined India’s interest in stronger military and diplomatic relationships with the Pacific nations. “This is how India is working on a comprehensive strategy to deal with China’s influence in the region,” a source said. According to sources, the government led by PM Modi has expedited consultation with the top security and military officials to organise more maritime drills with Quad nations and other ASEAN countries in a bid to counter China. Similarly, India has fast-tracked the connectivity project that aims to link New Delhi to the Middle East in another move to counter China’s footprint in the Gulf. PM Modi is learnt to have reviewed the ambitious project that aims to link the Middle East to India through roads, rails and seaports.

Cairo: Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft refuelled aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force during Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, informed Indian Air Force on Sunday.
https://98b5ed0ba8b7555a6927c11b229e1a21.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlTaking to X, (formerly Twitter), IAF said, “Showcasing the bonds of friendship in the skies over Egypt during Exercise Bright Star, where the Indian Air Force IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft refuelled aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force”.
Earlier, in a significant move towards fostering global defence cooperation, an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent reached the Egyptian Air Force Base to participate in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 on Monday.
“Touchdown at the Egyptian Air Force base in Cairo. Our home for the next three weeks”, informed the Indian Air Force on X, formerly Twitter.
The IAF contingent will take part in the biennial multilateral tri-service exercise at Cairo (West) Air Base, which started on Sunday and will culminate on September 16, the Ministry of Defence informed through a press release.
This will mark the first participation of the IAF in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23, which will also see the participation of air force contingents from the US, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar.
The Indian Air Force contingent comprises 5 MiG-29s, 2 IL-78s, two C-130s and two C-17 aircraft. Personnel from the IAF’s Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 squadrons will also be participating in the exercise. The IAF transport aircraft will provide airlift to approximately 150 personnel from the Indian Army.
The IAF’s participation is not just aimed at boosting global defence cooperation but practice planning and execution of joint operations. Besides fostering a stronger bonding of air warriors beyond borders, such exercises also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations, an MoD release stated earlier.IAF contingents participating in such exercises abroad are thus no less than Diplomats in Flight Suits, the release added.
India and Egypt have traditionally had an exceptional relationship and deep cooperation, with the two countries jointly undertaking the development of aero-engine and aircraft in the 1960s and the training of Egyptian pilots by their Indian counterparts.
The relationship between the two countries was further strengthened with the recent visits by the Chief of Air Forces of the two countries and the Indian Defence Minister and Prime Minister to Egypt. The two countries have also enhanced their joint training with regular exercises between their Armed Forces.

The IAF is out to significantly boost operational capabilities with additional TEJASs, new transport planes and revival of the mid-air refuelling jet program
https://01bec97e6bb14bd1235ce40021d80550.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlThe Indian Air Force (IAF) is on full throttle to significantly boost operational capabilities. The trigger is China. The IAF has played a key role in beefing up India’s defences since the Chinese incursions in eastern Ladakh in the summer of 2020. IAF transport aircraft had, then, swiftly ferried over 68,000 additional troops, along with nearly 90 tanks and over 300 infantry combat vehicles, to the Himalayan heights even as its frontline fighters carried out combat sorties to counter the Chinese military.
Now, the IAF is pushing for acquisition of an additional 90-100 indigenous LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) TEJAS MK-1A jets, besides ramping up the transport fleet and enhancing capabilities to land at and take off from the newly-built advanced landing grounds along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. In addition, the world’s fourth-largest air force—both in terms of personnel and aircraft—is eyeing mid-air refuelling jets to gain strategic heft by allowing its fighter jets to stay longer in the sky.
Struggling with a depleting combat fleet, which is down to 31 squadrons (against the 42 sanctioned), the IAF does not have any fighter jet program in the pipeline. Beyond the 36 Rafale jets from France and 83 TEJAS MK-1A, which will start being delivered from next February, the IAF has not been able to find any solution for its depleting fleet. Its long-pending requirement of 114 multirole fighter aircraft (MRFA) is also in limbo.
In 2018, the IAF had floated a request for information (RFI) for MRFA to procure 114 foreign fighter jets (nearly six squadrons) worth an estimated $20 billion (Rs 1.65 lakh crore). But a deal is yet to materialise. In September 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved Rs 6,500 crore in additional funds to fast-track the development of an upgraded version of the TEJAS—the MK-2. These are supposed to replace 16 IAF squadrons—three of the Mirage 2000, five of MiG-29, six of Jaguar and the two remaining MiG-21 Bison squadrons. This will allow the IAF to scale up to about 40 fighter squadrons by 2040.
However, since the TEJAS MK-2 is in design stage, the IAF has moved a statement of case before the ministry of defence (MoD) to procure 90-100 TEJAS MK-1A jets from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to replace the existing MiG-21s. “Since the TEJAS MK-1A is a multirole jet, the IAF moved a proposal to have an additional 90-100 of them from HAL, which is already manufacturing 83 TEJAS MK-1A for the air force. With this, the TEJAS will comprise the biggest fleet of the IAF,“ said a senior IAF officer in know of the developments.
Over the next 15 years, then, the IAF will have 40 TEJAS, over 180 TEJAS MK-1A and at least 120 TEJAS MK-2. The last order for TEJAS MK-1A (which is an advanced version of the TEJAS) was for 83 aircraft, placed in February 2021, for Rs 48,000 crore.
Efforts are also on to ramp up the IAF transport fleet. Of the 56 C-295 medium-weight transport aircraft ordered by the IAF, 16 will be delivered in flyaway condition and the remaining 40 manufactured in India through a joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The total cost of the project is Rs 21,935 crore. While the 16 aircraft in flyaway condition will be delivered between September 2023 and August 2025, the first Made in India C-295 will roll out of TASL’s Vadodara facility in September 2026. The remaining aircraft will be delivered by August 2031.
The C-295 will replace the Avro fleet. The IAF is also seeking an alternative to its ageing AN-32 planes. Last December, an RFI was issued for an aircraft with a load-carrying capacity of 18-27 tonnes. So far, US, South American and European firms have responded. “Three companies have expressed their interest in the program. The IAF will shortly seek an ‘acceptance of necessity’ from MoD before floating a global tender,” said the IAF officer.
In addition, IAF is looking to revive its mid-air refuelling jet project. It has made multiple unsuccessful attempts since 2007, with the cost of acquisition always being a hurdle. A couple of years ago, the IAF had planned wet lease of Airbus A330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) aircraft, but such contracts allow the planes to be used for training and not actual operations. The IAF has been thrilled with the performance of Airbus mid-air refuelling planes. A330 MRTTs of the air forces of the UAE and France have allowed the Rafales purchased by the IAF to fly non-stop (almost 7,000 km) from France to India.
“While the wet lease option is still under consideration, the IAF is reviving its program. An RFI to procure six mid-air refuelling aircraft will be floated soon,” said another IAF officer. At present, the IAF operates a fleet of six Russian IIyushin-78 refuelling tankers, but these are facing service issues. Mid-air refuelers are seen as a sort of alternative to the depleting combat strength of the air force as they allow the existing fleet to remain in operation for a longer duration.

PTI

Jammu, September 2

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Saturday visited forward areas along the LoC in Rajouri sector and reviewed operational preparedness and security situation.

Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, along with other senior officers, received the Chief of Army Staff and briefed him about the operational preparedness, Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Army posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The Army Chief interacted with troops hailed them for their professionalism.

Respected Ladies,
I reached PCDA(Pensions) Prayagraj today, 30 Aug.I met Mr Som Dev, IDAS, the Principal Controller, the boss of PCDA(Pensions) Prayagraj and Mr Himanshu Tripathi, Dy CDA, OiC SPARSH.
I discussed the case of non- commencement of Dependent Family Pension of Ms Neelam Ahuja, Elder Sister of Mrs Sangeeta Chhabra. He said he knows me well through Army Circles and thanked me for the work I am doing for welfare of Ex- Servicemen and Single Ladies. He assured me he will get the job done of Ms Neelam Ahuja soon.
Mr Himanshu Tripathi told me that leaving few from Nepal and those who are still drawing pension from State Treasury, all 32 lakh defence pensioners including Def Civilians will be migrated to SPARSH by 31 Oct. I was migrated to SPARSH on 12 Aug but got the SMS from CPOC, SBI only on 29 Aug. I was assured that my monthly pension has been processed and shall be remitted on 31 Aug.
All those migrated to SPARSH in Aug 2023 will get Pension either on 30 or 31 Aug. All those of our members migrated to SPARSH from any bank need not worry.
Mr Himanshu told me from his experience in SPARSH, since 2019, he found SBI is the best bank.
He admitted that Pensioners migrated now to SPARSH on retirement from 2016 are not facing any problems. Only those retired prior to 2016 have problems especially those retired from British Indian Army and State Forces since 1920 do not have all the required details. But they also will be helped out.
The photo of Mr Som Dev, the Principal Controller and self is attached.
Then I met Lt Col Ranjan Kumar, Officer in Charge, Defence Pensioners Contact Centre, in the Office of PCDA(Pensions) Prayagraj in the evening on all grievances, I compiled. I am meeting him tomorrow at 10 AM. Hopefully, he will give me some good news.
I will give the progress after I return to Secunderabad. I know you are anxious to know. Please wait for three more days.
Even if the job is not done due to non availability of one or two documents, I will pursue from Secunderabad. Trust me!
warm regards & respects,

Brig CS Vidyasagar( Retd), 94931 91380

New Delhi, August 30

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday termed as “very serious” the issue of China releasing a “standard map” that laid claim over Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin, saying the neighbouring country had already taken India’s land in Ladakh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak on the issue.

On Monday, Beijing released the 2023 edition of the so-called “standard map of China” that laid claim over Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as regions within its borders.

Asked about the map issue as he was leaving for Karnataka, Gandhi told reporters, “I have just returned from Ladakh and I have been saying for years that what the PM has said, that not one inch of land has been lost in Ladakh, is an absolute lie. The whole of Ladakh knows that China has usurped our land.”  

“This map issue is very serious but they have already taken away our land and the PM should say something about that too,” the former Congress president said.

The Congress on Tuesday took strong objection to the inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin in China’s map and asserted that these are inalienable parts of India which no such illegal representation or arbitrarily invented map by the “habitual offender” can change. 

Harjot Singh Sidhu

DURING a trip to Sikkim with my family earlier this year, I visited the Nathu La, which is of strategic importance to the Army. Heavy snowfall often restricts access to the pass, with temperatures reaching as low as -25°C, accompanied by strong winds. From there, we travelled to visit a temple named after Baba Harbhajan Singh. He was a soldier who died young back in 1968. Sepoy Harbhajan Singh was posthumously given the rank of honorary captain.

Harbhajan Singh was born in a Sikh family on August 30, 1946, in Sadrana village (now in Pakistan). He joined the Army in February 1966 and was recruited in the 23rd battalion of the Punjab Regiment. It was this regiment that he served till his death on October 4, 1968, near Nathu La.

On that fateful day, Sepoy Harbhajan Singh was escorting a mule caravan from his battalion headquarters at Tuku La to Dongchui La. He slipped and fell into a nullah; the gushing waters carried his body downstream. A search operation proved to be futile. Legend has it that one of his comrades had a dream in which Harbhajan Singh informed him about the tragic incident and the location of his body. It was found a few days later and cremated with full military honours. The story goes that he then appeared in the dreams of fellow soldiers and asked them to build a samadhi for him. The unit duly constructed a shrine.

A temple dedicated to him was built in 1982. People visit it to pay their respects to Sepoy Harbhajan Singh, now better known as Baba Harbhajan Singh. There is a superstitious belief that the water kept at the place can cure ailing persons. It is also believed that his ‘spirit’ protects Indian soldiers who guard the border post at Nathu La.

On the temple’s premises, there is a room with a bed, Harbhajan Singh’s portrait, uniform, shoes, slippers and a stick. The place is managed by barefooted uniformed personnel from the nearby Army unit; they make the bed and keep the shoes polished.

During my visit, I also got to know about another soldier named Harbhajan Singh. A Major, he hailed from Bhatte Bhaini village in Patti tehsil of Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. He did his matriculation from DAV High School, Patti, in 1956. Later that year, he got himself enrolled as a ‘boy soldier’ at the Army recruiting office in Amritsar and joined the Corps of Signals. He died fighting Chinese troops in the Nathu La clashes of September 1967. Major Harbhajan Singh, who was just 26 years old when he made the supreme sacrifice, was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest gallantry award. I marvelled at the Nathu La connection between the two soldiers, both named Harbhajan Singh, who died a year apart.