Latest news with #Siachen
News18
13 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'I Am Bald, Should We Give My Head...': Amit Shah's 'Land To China' Joke In Rajya Sabha
Sharing a light moment in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah recalled how a leader once told Jawaharlal Nehru that his bald head resembled the barren Siachen land Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday managed to crack a joke or two in the middle of a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his questions on China a day before in the Lok Sabha. Sharing a light moment in the Rajya Sabha during the 'Operation Sindoor' debate, Shah recalled how a leader once told India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, that his bald head resembled the barren Siachen land and if it should be handed over to China. 'I am bald too," Shah quipped in a reference to alleged loss of territory under previous regimes. 'Should we give it over to China as well?" Reiterating what External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said about Rahul Gandhi and the 2017 Doklam military standoff, he questioned if the MP can hold a press conference over his 'secret meetings" with China. 'Can Rahul Gandhi do a press conference and tell what was the MoU with China? When our army was standing in Doklam, they kept secretly meeting China," he alleged. A few days ago in Parliament, Jaishankar had expressed surprise over how the opposition was willing to rely on a foreign government over its own when it came to US President Donald Trump's 'ceasefire" claims. He then went on to accuse Gandhi of believing China's version during Doklam. On Wednesday, in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar once again launched a veiled attack on Gandhi, dubbing him as 'China-guru" and alleging that such people got their knowledge on China by attending Olympics in Beijing and by taking special tuitions from the Chinese ambassador. He said he, unlike the 'China-Gurus", did not hold any secret meetings or deals during his recent visit to China, where he discussed terrorism, de-escalation and trade, besides issues of mutual interest between the two countries. Rahul and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had attended the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a special invitee. (With agency inputs) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Discovery at Earth's 'most dangerous glacier' sparks joy among climate skeptics
Scientists have made a startling discovery that may debunk global warming at Earth's 'most dangerous glacier,' sending climate change deniers into celebration. Based on a surprising photo taken by the International Space Station (ISS) in 2023, researchers from around the world have concluded that three glaciers in Asia 's Karakoram mountain range have been gaining ice and merging. The NASA image revealed that the Lolofond and Teram Shehr glaciers have been slowly merging with the Siachen glacier near the borders of India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. The region has long been referred to as the world's most dangerous glacier range due to the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, with both nations positioning troops on their side of the glaciers since 1984. Long before the photo was revealed, scientists had called the unexplained ice gains the 'Karakoram anomaly,' since many climate studies have found that most glaciers worldwide are losing mass due to rising temperatures. However, this is the second major glacier location to see more ice being formed in recent years. In May, researchers in Shanghai discovered that Antarctica started to reverse its decades-long trend of catastrophic melting and has seen record amounts of ice forming since 2021. The latest development from Karakoram has set off climate deniers on social media, who have continued to claim that the alarmism over global warming has been nothing more than a hoax. 'UH oh, Democrats. Are we back to a new Ice Age?' one person joked on X, referring to Democrat-led climate bills in Congress. 'This anomaly has baffled scientists for years, no doubt upsetting #ClimateChange fanatics,' another person posted. To the climate deniers' point, scientists studying the Karakoram anomaly since the 1990s still haven't been able to pin down a clear reason why more ice has been forming and the glaciers are merging. One possible explanation could be that favorable weather patterns in the region have kept the ice from melting. That includes seeing cooler summers and more snow in the winter. A 2022 study in the Journal of Climate found that wintertime precipitation intensity (snow) in the Karakoram range rose by roughly 10 percent between 1980 and 2019. However, a 2023 study in Earth System Science Data claimed that the phenomenon likely wouldn't last due to rising global temperatures countering this short stretch of cold weather. 'This may indicate a weakening of the abnormal behavior of glaciers in the Karakoram owing to the continuous warming,' the researchers said. Despite the latest climate findings, the region has continued to show signs of unusual ice growth that have left geologists and climatologists stumped. Another theory, posed by geology professor Kenneth Hewitt of Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, suggested that thick layers of dust and debris could be keeping the ice underneath from melting in the sun like other glaciers. His 2005 paper in the journal Mountain Research and Development found that less than two inches of debris from local avalanches and rockfalls over the centuries would be enough to start protecting the ice from melting. However, researchers from the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado shot this theory down, noting that if the Karakoram anomaly only started in the 1990s, as studies show, something else would need to spark this trend besides centuries of dust. Siachen has been the world's second-longest glacier outside of Greenland and Antarctica. NASA scientists have measured it to be around 47 miles long and 2.2 miles in width. Sitting near K2, the world's second-highest mountain, the Siachen glacier's peak starts around 19,000 feet above sea level and descends to around 11,800 feet. The photo released by NASA also highlighted the dark-colored moraines, which are parallel bands formed from rock and dust wedged between the glaciers as they merge. These layers were particularly noticeable around the Teram Shehr glacier as it smashes into the Siachen glacier from the right side. As scientists struggle to answer the question of why more ice is growing in this disputed part of Asia, the mystery has given skeptics of climate science even more evidence to use against so-called 'climate alarmists.' University of Cambridge professor Mike Hulme told in 2023 that climate alarmists have created tremendous distrust and ill will among the public by blaming almost all of society's issues on the climate emergency. 'Climate change is cited as the sole explanation for everything going wrong in the world. Drought, famine, flooding, wars, racism – you name it. And if it's bad, it's down to global warming caused by humans,' Professor Hulme said. 'I disagree with the doom-mongers. Climate change is not like a comet approaching Earth. There is no good scientific or historical evidence that it will lead to human extinction or the collapse of human civilization,' the professor of human geography added.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aditya Rawal and Zahan Kapoor on Siachen: Theatre is dynamic and fluctuating
Aditya Rawal and Zahan Kapoor revisit 'Siachen,' a play exploring the emotional and creative depths of soldiers on the icy frontlines. Guided by Makarand Deshpande, they've refined the production based on audience feedback and personal artistic growth over two years. The play delves into themes of war, inner conflict, nationalism, duty, and identity, aiming for a sharper, more layered experience. As Siachen returns to stage this week, writer-actor Aditya Rawal and lead performer Zahan Kapoor, reflect on the emotional and creative journey behind the play that explores the icy frontlines of war and inner conflicts of soldiers. With new edits and deeper insights gained over two years of performances, the duo, guided by director Makarand Deshpande , promise a sharper and more layered experience, shaped as much by the audience reactions as by their own artistic evolution in the last two years. Excerpts from the conversation… Siachen is being staged again. What does it mean to both of you to return to this play now, and what can audiences expect this time around? Aditya Rawal: The play has been running for two years now, so every time we get together it feels like a homecoming, especially at Prithvi Theatre. This time around, we have made some new additions and edits, so the audience can expect a sharper, more engaging experience. Also, when it comes to theatre, actors and the technicians keep discovering things in a play - so they keep getting better. For example, when Al Pacino played Richard III, it was only after about 80 performances that he figured out how to utter one of the character's most famous lines, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!'. Zahan Kapoor: It's always a pleasure to return to the rehearsal room and even more so when we are prepping for shows at Prithvi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Before Dying, My Husband Said, I'm Sorry. I Asked For What. You'll See. Then This Happened Novelodge Undo With each successive run, the learning has been incredible and a true testimony to how endless the process of discovery can be. I'd hope audiences are as intrigued as we are into the story, the characters and the presentation we have put together. Aditya, what was the initial spark behind writing Siachen? Did any particular incident, news story, or personal reflection set this story in motion? Aditya Rawal: As a keen student of military history, I was always fascinated by the Siachen Glacier, the coldest, highest battlefield on earth, where there has been a ceasefire since 2003. And yet, the best soldiers of India and Pakistan are deployed there to face the greatest enemy of all, mother nature. The sole deterrent to vacating our respective positions is the fear that the other will occupy it immediately after, thereby gaining the strategic high ground. To me, this conflict is emblematic of war, in general, and of all human conflict that stems from distrust. It is an absurd and tragic conflict, but the play asks: Is it also necessary? Zahan, how did you first come on board for Siachen? What about the script or character immediately spoke to you? Zahan Kapoor: Aditya and I were trying to make the most of our time during the second lockdown of the pandemic where we would read and discuss plays. Aditya mentioned that he had developed this story while he was in drama school and we decided to have a read. One thing lead to another, but it seemed like the perfect fit. A homegrown story, set against a unique backdrop and intimate so we could attempt to make it into something real. Working with Makarand Deshpande, what was special? Aditya Rawal: Makarand Deshpande is the director and guiding light of our play. The joy, freedom and lack of fear with which he approaches the creative process really stood out for me. Our cast and crew are all in their 20's or early 30's yet he always felt like the youngest person in the room. Working with him has shaped not only the play, but also all of us as artists. Zahan Kapoor: Mak sir is an incredible source of inspiration. I admire his sense of playfulness most of all, and then it's his sense of discipline and dedication. He has decades of experience and understands so many aspects of the theatre, it's truly amazing. Having him guide us as we searched for meaning and impact has been a pleasure and a privilege. Aditya, how did you strike a balance between the play's physical setting—the cold, isolating glacier—and the internal worlds of the characters? Aditya Rawal: The ideal is to be both immersive and engaging. You want the audience to believe in the world you create and be fully involved in it while telling them a story that is emotionally moving. The research I had done allowed me to feel secure in my knowledge of the world so I could focus completely on the characters and their journeys. If you understand both facets well enough, then the world invariably affects the characters and you're able to figure out how they would react in the given situation too. That said, you can never really know a world or people to the fullest - and our play reflects that sense of surrender as well. Zahan, coming from a rich legacy of theatre and film, what excites you about working in a contemporary original play like Siachen? Do you approach it differently than your other roles? Zahan Kapoor: I honestly try to approach all roles in a similar way. I'm very proud that we have presented an original story, and along side a very interesting cast and crew. It's our first step into building our own repertoire. Theatre is live, raw, and unpredictable. Were there any performances or rehearsals that stood out—either because they were challenging or unexpectedly moving? Aditya Rawal: The early rehearsals were challenging because we were trying to figure out the shape of the play. Then, with two weeks to go the actor in one of the lead parts had to drop out. Niketan Sharma stepped in and, guided by Makarand Sir, breathed life into the character superbly despite the shortage of time. So, basically the entire rehearsal process was memorable to me! As for shows, the two we performed in front of a packed audience at the Kamani Auditorium in Delhi; first at the biggest theatre festival in the world, NSD's Bharat Rang Mahotsav, and the month after at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards. Zahan Kapoor: Oh there's been so many, it's hard to choose! It's a wonderful feeling to make breakthroughs in rehearsal and equally, it's crushing yet deeply essential, to hit blocks and feel stuck too. Theatre really keeps your ego in check, it'll you get too carried away with 'getting it right' you'll quickly find yourself in a fix. It compels you to let go of expectations and discover afresh every time. Has the audience response from the earlier shows influenced the way you're approaching this restaging? Have any reactions stayed with you? Aditya Rawal: Absolutely. A play is an ever shifting, ever changing thing. Everything, even the actor's mood on the day, influences the nature of a performance. The reactions that are most dear to us are of the members of the armed forces that have come to watch our play, especially the ones that have served on the glacier and other high-altitude regions. When they say that the play reflects the experiences they had whilst serving - it makes everything we do feel worth it. Zahan Kapoor: Yes I think there have been many things we have learned from audience reactions, maybe some edits, maybe some clarifications; all in all, this is part of the beauty of theatre, its dynamic and fluctuating. We needn't try to fix it too much. Siachen touches on ideas of nationalism, duty, and identity. In today's climate, do you feel these themes are being received differently or more urgently? Aditya Rawal: Certainly. Because these themes are talked about more often and in greater depth, people have begun to appreciate the nuances of every difficult situation; the fact that nothing is truly black and white. Of course, there has been a regrettable swing the other way too, and telling stories like Siachen is our way to reveal aspects of humanity that are often ignored in conflict situations. Zahan Kapoor: It may seem so, there's definitely a sense of immediacy to some of the ideas, especially considering our recent conflict. Beyond simple arguments though, is always a deeply felt experience of loss, triumph, meaning and purpose. It all comes down to the clash of ideas and human emotions, that part is probably eternal.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Operation Sindoor unprecedented, brilliant but our fight against terror a long one, say military veterans
Operation Sindoor, India's measured response to the Pahalgam attack, was unprecedented on so many levels. For one, the boldness of the strike deep inside the Pakistani 'mainland' has, in addition to showcasing our military prowess, 'demonstrated India's growing resolve to root out terrorism, no matter how far, how deep', says Cmde Srikant Kesnur, an Indian Navy veteran. Yet, for all its capabilities, India has shown restraint, choosing to only attack terror infrastructure, thus preventing an escalation. 'There was an enemy headquarters mere kilometres away from one of the nine sites we hit at Bahawalpur. But that wasn't our target, was it?' points out Siachen hero Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni. 'Our fight is and always has been,' the veteran elaborates, 'against terror outfits, and if this happens to manifest in Pakistan, well, that's just bad luck for them.' Two, the precision of the strike was matched by the transparency with which news of the development was briefed to the nation — by a three-person panel comprising foreign secretary Vikram Misri, Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh and Col Sofiya Qureshi. 'They walked us through everything – why these nine sites were targeted, what's out there, and with clear visuals of the strike. It was surgical, and the entire operation, well thought-out,' explains Col S Dinny (retd), who served several tenures in counter-terrorism operations in J&K. Cmde Srikant says it is a lesson out of 2019's Balakot airstrike and its post-operation fizz. 'Earlier, commanders never thought it necessary to gather 'proof', but post-Balakot, there is a realisation that a lack of palpable evidence allows narratives to spiral. This time, that gap was closed,' says Cmde Kesnur, former director of Maritime Warfare Centre. 'After all, battlefields today are more transparent - artificially, perhaps, but perception matters,' he adds. It signals, if anything, an India that has come to accept new age realities. Cmde G Prakash says, 'India's reaction has not been emotional. We've also taken the effort to show the world a broader context - the long-standing link between Pakistan and terrorism.' Third, the optics, and Cmde G Prakash, who has extensive experience in operations and policy making, says, 'the press briefing oozed in symbolism.' Indeed, you have the foreign secretary flanked by two senior women officers - one a Hindu, another a Muslim. Vikram, a civilian, in their midst – someone who was born and raised in Kashmir and who know the issues there well. 'Fittingly, the operation was called Sindoor,' points out Col Dinny, 'and we all know what it signifies and how it refers back to the Pahalgam incident – yet another layer of messaging.'
India.com
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Coward Pakistan has lost every war against India but Pakistani army officers still wear medals on their uniforms due to...
New Delhi: Pakistan has fought several wars with India and has lost all of them. Not only against India, but whenever Pakistan encounters other countries, the Pakistani army has to face humiliation. However, whenever you see a Pakistani army officer, they are usually adorned with several medals on their uniform. In this context, a common question arises, if the Pakistani army always faces defeat, then what are the soldiers carrying so many medals for? Let's explore the story behind these medals of the Pakistan Army. Pakistan has lost to India in the India-Pakistan War (1947-48), the India-Pakistan War (1965), the India-Pakistan War (1971), and the Kargil War (1999). In fact, Pakistan faces not only military defeat but also diplomatic losses. Then why does Pakistan award medals? It should be noted that every country's army awards its soldiers medals based on their service, bravery, etc. Medals are given for participation in battles, bravery, or contribution in special operations. For this reason, many soldiers in Pakistan have been awarded medals even after defeats. Additionally, medals are awarded not only for wars but also for internal operations, such as Pakistan's Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Medals and decorations are a tradition in every country's army. Just as India has not fought any war for many years, yet medals related to peace time are being awarded to soldiers by the army, a similar situation exists in Pakistan. The Pakistani army has awarded its soldiers for the battles of 1948, 1965, and 1971, as well as for the 1970 operations in Balochistan, the Siachen dispute, Shiite insurgency, and internal affairs. Pakistan's highest military bravery award is the Nishan-e-Haider. This medal is awarded only to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It recognizes the highest acts of extraordinary bravery. Following this are the Hilal-e-Jurat, Sitara-e-Jurat, Tamgha-e-Jurat, and Imtiazi Sanad. Non-operational awards include Sitara-e-Bisat, Tamgha-e-Bisat, Tamgha-e-Khidmat Class-1, Tamgha-e-Khidmat Class-2, and Tamgha-e-Khidmat Class-3. Civil-military awards include Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, and Tamgha-e-Khidmat.
