While both India and China have still to finalise the dates of military commanders’ meeting with each asking for postponement once, PLA is continuing to build-up along the 1,597-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector.

Decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Viraat during its last journey from Naval Dockyard in Mumbai to Alang in Gujarat | on 19 September | PTI Photo | Mitesh Bhuvad
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Mumbai: Decommissioned aircraft carrier Viraat on Saturday set sail for the last time, on way to Alang in Gujarat, where it will be broken down and sold as scrap.

For Navy veterans who watched the huge vessel being towed by tug boats, there was a lump in the throat as they bade it an emotional farewell from the Gateway of India.

Viraat began its final journey from the Naval dockyard where it was berthed after being decommissioned in March 2017.

A Navy helicopter circling overhead provided a majestic backdrop to Viraat’s last voyage from its home base for over three decades.

A Defence spokesperson said Viraat was to leave for Alang on Friday, but its departure was delayed by a day.

The vessel had served the Indian Navy for 30 years before being decommissioned. It had served in the UK’s Royal Navy as HMS Hermes and named INS Viraat after being inducted in the Indian Navy.

There were attempts to convert ‘Viraat’ into a museum or a restaurant, but none of the plans fructified.

Alang-based Shree Ram group has won the bid for dismantling the ship. The company’s high capacity tugs are towing the vessel to Alang and it would take two days to complete the journey, an official said.

Alang, a beach town, houses the world’s biggest ship breaking yard.

“#Viraat Callsign “Romeo Two Two” – End of an era, a glorious chapter in the history of @indiannavy. She departs #Mumbai today for her final journey. Old ships never die, their spirit lives on,” tweeted PRO Defence Mumbai.

Many social media users lamented the failure of successive governments to preserve Viraat and another aircraft carrier Vikrant as maritime muesums to depict India’s rich naval heritage, instead of allowing them to be broken down and sold as scrap.

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New Delhi, September 19

The CBI has filed a supplementary chargesheet against British National Christian Michel James and businessman Rajeev Saxena in the AgustaWestland chopper scam.

In its final report filed before Special Judge Arvind Kumar, the CBI has named both alleged middlemen Michel and Saxena, and 13 others. The court is likely to take up the matter for consideration on September 21.

According to sources, the probe report filed on Friday details the alleged role played by Michel, Saxena and others in bringing bribes for politicians, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force (IAF) officials in India in the scam.

The sources said the agency, which had earlier this year sought sanction from the authorities concerned to prosecute former defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, has not named him as an accused since the request is not granted yet. — PTI

Rs 2,666 crore loss

The CBI has alleged that the deal signed in February 2010 to supply VVIP choppers worth 5,56,262 million euros caused an estimated loss of 39,821 million euros (about Rs2,666 cr).

Union Minister Shripad Naik was replying to a query on whether the defence ministry will consider using and selling only ‘Made in India’ products in its stores.

“No decision has been taken in this regard,” Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said in Rajya Sabha.

In an address to the nation in May, Modi spoke extensively on the need to focus on a self-reliant India and called for promoting products made in India with a larger aim of making Indian economy stronger.

In his reply, Naik also said that the total turnover of defence canteens in 2017-18 was Rs 17,190 crore and it went up to Rs 18,917 crore in 2018-19. The total turnover was reported at Rs 17,588 in 2019-20.

In the current fiscal, the figure has been recorded at Rs 3,692 crore till August, he said.

In reply to a separate question on whether government signed a contract with a private company to modernise 37 airfields, he replied in the affirmative.

“Modernisation of airfield infrastructure has enhanced the capability in terms of facilitating operation in poor weather conditions including night operations, enhanced enroute navigation infrastructure and enhanced traffic handling capabilities,” he said.

To a separate question, Naik said 86 military airbases are functioning in the country.

Also read: Govt plans to scrap 2 defence deals under foreign procurement, could go ‘atma nirbhar’ way

Leh, September 20, 2020: Armed by the unwavering support from their families, the Indian Army’s Ladakh Scouts, who are better known as the ‘sons of soil’, are at the forefront of the India-China border standoff at the east Ladakh. Ever since the Ladakh Scouts was formed in 1963 after the Sino-India war of 1962, several families have been sending their wards to guard the nation.

The Dorjoi family, which has two sons guarding the nation, said despite not having spoken to them for last many days, they are not afraid and are ready to face any eventuality.

“I have two sons in Ladakh Scouts. We are not in touch nowadays. As a parent, I am not afraid. Had I been scared I wouldn’t have sent them to the Army. A nation can’t be guarded if one gets afraid of death,” the father of soldier T Dorjoi told ANI.

“Even during the ongoing tensions, we remained undeterred. We are Ladakhis. We face the adversities head-on,” he added.

They also said the family is planning to send their third child to the Army.
“We feel proud that my sons are representing the country. I walk with my head held high. I am proud that my sons are fighting the Chinese. I back them, as we strive in these tough topographic situations,” he added.Seeing his brothers protecting the nation, Stanzin, who is preparing himself to join the Ladakh Scouts, says, “I feel proud that my brothers are serving the nation, but I also miss them. I will also join Ladakh Scouts and bring pride to my country and family.”This sentiment is common among other families as well. Seeing her sons donning the Indian Army uniform, T Kunjes feels proud. But she is also getting worried when she doesn’t get the chance to speak to them.”I do get anxious when I don’t get to communicate with them but somehow, we feel that they must do well. During this present situation, I do get worried about their safety, but also feel proud that my child is defending the country,” said Kunjes, the mother of two Ladakh Scout soldiers.Expressing similar feelings, T Angschok, whose son is in the Ladakh Scouts, said he feels blessed that his ward got a chance to defend the country.
“My son is in Ladakh Scouts. I am proud that what he is doing for the country. As a parent, it is natural to be concerned for the wellbeing of my son, but we are happy that he chose this path,” he said.”Even if our blood comes of any use for the country then will consider ourselves lucky,” a proud Angschok added.When asked as to what sort of advice does he gives to his son whenever they get a chance to communicate, he said, “When we speak, I tell him to focus only on protecting our mother India. As a family, we are with you. If possible, we will volunteer.”Ladakh Scouts is the youngest infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It was bestowed upon the status of a regiment with its own centre and battalions in 1999.On June 1 1963, Ladakh Scouts was raised by merging the 7th and 14th battalions of Jammu and Kashmir Militia. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Ladakh Scouts launched a brilliant attack in Northern sector and got the Battle honour ‘Turtuk’ for their excellent performance. The soldiers were also the part of Operation Meghdoot at Siachen.The Ladakh Scout soldiers are recruited from Ladakh because they are acclimatised with the treacherous mountain terrain, making them lethal at heights that are inhospitable.

The Army chief, who is on a 2-day J&K visit, also discussed issues concerning the present security situation in the Union Territory with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha

During his interaction with soldiers deployed in the high altitude areas, he appreciated their high morale and complimented them on their response to Pakistan’s ceasefire violations, Col Rajesh Kalia, spokesperson of the prestigious XV corps, said in a statement.

Gen Naravane reinforced the need to extend all possible support to the civilians residing in the border areas who are victims of targeted ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army and are facing hardships due to the pandemic.

He later proceeded to interact with commanders and troops deployed in the hinterland, the spokesperson said.

While interacting with jawans, the General highlighted that it was “the dawn of a new era of development, peace and prosperity in Kashmir” and applauded them for their high level of morale and contribution to peace building in Jammu and Kashmir.

He appreciated the high level of coordination amongst all government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley and efforts to reach out to the people to overcome the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Later in the day, he reviewed the overall security situation along with the Northern Army Commander and Chinar Corps Commander, Col Kalia said.

Gen Narvane is scheduled to return to New Delhi on Friday.

Also read: India ‘extra’ alert along LAC stretch, Pakistan border as China delays corps commander talks