Not Saqlain Mushtaq, Pakistan's all-time greatest spinner is Hamid Mir
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Economic Times
26 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Boots must share space with bots: Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on warfare, future conflicts
Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday asserted that the Indian armed forces are "prepared for fifth-generation conflicts" driven by non-contact warfare, strategic tempo and psychological dominance. In his address at an event held at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, he emphasised that future conflicts would demand a blend of conventional strength and modern capabilities, where "boots must share space with bots." The army chief described Operation Sindoor as a "landmark, intelligence-driven response that redefined India's counter-terrorism doctrine." He said the tri-services action showcased India's ability to deliver "precise, punitive and coordinated action," compelling Pakistan to seek a ceasefire within 88 hours. Gen Dwivedi highlighted the transformative journey of the Indian Army, underlining the changing character of warfare marked by "grey zone conflicts, technological democratisation and need for integrated responses." On Operation Sindoor, he said the 88-hour operation was "unprecedented in scale, range, depth and strategic impact" and was executed across the 'DIME' spectrum. 'DIME' refers to diplomatic, informational, military and economic domains. According to a press statement, Gen Dwivedi on Monday inaugurated 'Agnishodh' -- a research cell at IIT-Madras to boost self-reliance in defence technology -- during his two-day visit to Chennai. In a landmark step towards 'Atmanirbharta' in defence technology, the Indian Army has joined hands with the IIT-Madras to establish 'Agnishodh', the Indian Army Research Cell (IARC) on the campus of the institution. The initiative is part of the army's broader transformation framework, guided by the 'Five Pillars of Transformation' articulated by the army chief. 'Agnishodh' specifically advances one of these pillars, modernisation and technology infusion, and represents the army's drive to integrate academic research with real-time applications, the ministry said. Addressing a gathering at IIT-Madras on the theme 'Operation Sindoor - A New Chapter in India's Fight Against Terrorism,' Gen Dwivedi described the operation as a landmark, intelligence-driven response that redefined India's counter-terrorism doctrine. Highlighting the evolving nature of warfare, the general officer underscored that "Indian armed forces are prepared for fifth-generation conflicts driven by non-contact warfare, strategic tempo, and psychological dominance." Emphasising the army's commitment to self-reliance, under 'Swadeshikaran Se Sashaktikaran', he outlined key collaborations under national technology missions such as 'INDIAai', 'Chip-to-Startup', and 'Project QuILA', with MCTE, Mhow (Military College of Telecommunication Engineering) as a strategic partner, the statement said. The army chief appreciated the projects undertaken by Indian Army Cells at IIT-Delhi, IIT-Kanpur, and IISc, Bengaluru by harnessing academic innovations. He said initiatives like 'Project SAMBHAV' and additive manufacturing partnerships with Army Base Workshops are setting new benchmarks. 'Agnishodh' would transform academic excellence into battlefield innovation, powering India's journey towards 'Viksit Bharat by 2047', the officer said. The 'Agnishodh' collaboration will further extend into the IIT-Madras Research Park, working alongside entities such as the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC) and Pravartak Technologies Foundation. Gen Dwivedi reiterated the Indian Army's commitment to its 'Decade of Transformation' vision through various reforms. The general officer also felicitated four distinguished ex-servicemen with Veteran Achievers Awards, honouring their selfless service and continued commitment to nation-building, according to the statement.
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Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Govt may push bills amid din if Opposition continues SIR protest: Rijiju
The government will be compelled to press for the passage of its bills amid protests in Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday, as the Opposition's relentless disruptions over SIR dimmed the prospects of normal functioning of the two Houses. While the Lok Sabha saw little transaction of any listed business on Monday, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned as a mark of respect for its member and former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren, who passed away this morning. Rijiju insisted that the government wants a thorough discussion in Parliament over its bills but will be compelled to push for their passage from Tuesday in "national interest" as the proposed legislations are important for governance. Hitting out at the opposition parties, he said that they had agreed to a two-day discussion over the National Sports Governance Bill and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, both of which were scheduled to be taken up together for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Monday, but they disrupted proceedings. The Opposition has been insisting that the government agree to its demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar before pushing its legislative agenda through Parliament. The minister, however, made it clear that a debate on SIR cannot take place in Parliament as the exercise is part of the Election Commission's administrative action and functioning. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, he noted, had cited a ruling by former speaker Balram Jakhar, a late Congress veteran, that Parliament cannot discuss the functioning of a constitutional body like the EC. Parliament can discuss electoral reforms but not the EC's functioning, he said, adding that the poll watchdog has carried out SIR earlier as well. Except for a two-day discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in both the Houses, parliamentary proceedings have been all but a washout since the Monsoon session began on July 21 as the SIR exercise in Bihar has ignited vociferous protests from opposition parties.
The Hindu
26 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Rights group blames J&K Police for backlash against Kashmiris after Pahalgam attack
The Forum for Human Rights in J&K, an independent body co-chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur and former Kashmir interlocutor Radha Kumar, on Monday (August 4, 2025) blamed the Jammu & Kashmir Police's 'hasty and incorrect information for triggering hate speech and hateful actions against Kashmiris' after the Pahalgam terror attack. Releasing its annual report on human rights on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of special provisions of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the forum noted that the police information that two of the terrorists were Kashmiris caused a backlash. 'It also created a permissive environment for hate speech and actions, as evidenced by trolling, arrests and illegal demolitions. By the time the NIA (National Investigation Agency) clarified the terrorists were all Pakistani, one month later, considerable damage had been done,' the report, J&K-Statehood for Human Rights, reads. The report said that mob hate spread to the extent that even the Foreign Secretary, Army and Air Force officers were trolled for a ceasefire. The forum alleged that there was no preventive action to stop the backlash. 'Though a backlash against Kashmiris and Muslims was widely anticipated, the Union Home Ministry did nothing to prevent it. By contrast, in 2010, the Union Home Ministry had issued an advisory to all police to act against harassment. Fortunately, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had his ministers rush to other states to appeal to their chief ministers to protect Kashmiri residents, after which the backlash dwindled,' it said. The forum highlighted security lapse in preventing the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead. 'The least that could have been done, issuing a general advisory warning residents and tourists in Jammu and Kashmir of a risk to crowded or tourist areas, was not done either,' it said. It pointed out the plight of border residents during 'Operation Sindoor'. 'Despite taking two weeks to respond militarily, little was done to evacuate civilians from the border areas, who were in any case facing incessant firing across the Line of Control from Pakistani troops (probably to facilitate the escape of the terrorists and infiltration by others),' the report said. The report said that the very large number of people were brought in for questioning – reportedly 2,800 – and the slapping of PSA and UAPA charges on over 100, 'were seen as collective punishment of the people for lapses of the Union Home Ministry and Lieutenant-Governor's administration'. The report claimed 'marginalization of the elected administration through imposition of the new Transaction of Business Rules issued shortly before the assembly election, which retained most powers in the hands of the Lieutenant-Governor, including over civil servants, the police, the Attorney-General and prosecutorial services. 'These rules nullify the rights of the people to representative and accountable governance,' it added.
