Archives for 2024

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat, at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The event will be attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Vice Admiral Suraj Berry, head of India’s strategic command, and senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The commissioning of the 6,000-tonne INS Arighat, also known as S-3, marks a significant step in enhancing India’s nuclear deterrence and second-strike capability. The submarine is expected to embark on a long-range patrol in the Indo-Pacific region, armed with K-15 nuclear ballistic missiles with a range of 750 kilometers. This development strengthens India’s nuclear triad, which already includes land-based and air-launch nuclear capabilities.

India’s first SSBN, INS Arihant (S-2), is already operational. With the addition of INS Arighat, India will now have two SSBNs patrolling the high seas. These submarines are crucial to India’s no-first-use nuclear policy, providing a robust second-strike capability.

In addition to the SSBN fleet, the Indian Navy has approached the Narendra Modi government for approval to build two nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines (SSNs). Unlike diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), which need to surface frequently to recharge batteries, SSBNs and SSNs can remain submerged for extended periods, with limitations only due to logistics, supplies, and crew changes.

India’s third SSBN, INS Aridaman (S-4), is scheduled for commissioning next year, followed by a fourth submarine, codenamed S-4. These submarines will be more advanced, capable of carrying 3,000-kilometer range nuclear ballistic missiles, and will feature additional missile tubes.

The Indian Navy is also set to enhance its operational capabilities with the commissioning of several new vessels, including the guided missile stealth destroyer INS Surat, the stealth guided missile frigate INS Taragiri, and the sixth Kalvari-class attack submarine INS Vagsheer, all expected within the next six months. Further orders for three more Kalvari-class submarines are anticipated to be placed with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd later this year.

Srinagar: Three terrorists are believed to have been killed in two separate anti-infiltration operations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the army said on Thursday.

Operations in the Machhal and Tangdhar areas were launched on Wednesday following intelligence inputs, it said.

In a post on X, the army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said, “Based on intelligence inputs with respect to likely infiltration bids, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the intervening night of August 28 and 29 in the general area Machhal, Kupwara.”

“Suspicious movement was observed in bad weather and was engaged with effective firing by troops; two terrorists are likely to have been neutralised,” it said.

The army said another terrorist is believed to have been killed in an operation along the LoC in the Tangdhar area.

“Based on intelligence inputs regarding likely infiltration bids, a joint anti-infiltration operation was launched by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the intervening night of August 28 and 29 in general area Tangdhar, Kupwara,” it said on X.

“One terrorist is likely to have been neutralised,” the army said.

Both the operations were in progress when last reports were received.

Katni: A video has emerged showing a 15-year-old boy and his grandmother being brutally beaten by officers inside the Katni Government Railway Police (GRP) station. The incident, which reportedly occurred last year, involved the station in-charge, Aruna Vahane, and other officers. The duo was allegedly assaulted due to suspicion of theft.

In the footage, the boy, identified as Deepraj Vanshkar, and his grandmother, Kusum Vanshkar, are seen being beaten with belts by the police. Deepraj described the incident to reporters, stating, “They held me down, restraining my arms, legs, and even my head. One officer placed his foot on my neck. They beat me up with belts, and my grandmother was also subjected to the same treatment.”

Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the police of targeting a Dalit family. He criticised the ruling BJP, stating that Dalit oppression has become a tool for political malice.

Katni Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhijit Kumar Ranjan confirmed the incident but noted that the case falls under GRP jurisdiction. He mentioned that authorities are in a “wait and watch” mode regarding further action, as they are verifying the authenticity of the video.

SP Railway Jabalpur later confirmed that the video dates back to October 2023, and stated that the accused had a reward of Rs 10,000 on his head. Some reports suggest that the theft charges are actually against the boy’s father.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Katni on Thursday to meet the family of the victims. Jitu Patwari, who is also expected to join the visit, criticised the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh for its alleged failure to protect Dalits and Adivasis.

New Delhi: Incidents of student suicides in India have grown at an alarming annual rate, surpassing the population growth rate and overall suicide trends, according to a new report.

Based on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the “Student suicides: An epidemic sweeping India” report was launched on Wednesday at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024.

The report pointed out that while the overall suicide numbers increased by 2 per cent annually, student suicides cases surged by 4 per cent, despite a likely “under reporting” of student suicide cases.

“Over the past two decades, student suicides have grown at an alarming annual rate of 4 per cent, double the national average. In 2022, male students constituted 53 pc (per cent) of the total student suicides. Between 2021 and 2022, male student suicides decreased by 6 per cent while female student suicides increased by 7 per cent,” noted the report compiled by IC3 Institute.

“The incidence of student suicides continues to surpass both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of

0-24-year-olds reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044,” it added.

The IC3 Institute is a volunteer-based organisation that provides support to high schools around the world through guidance and training resources for their administrators, teachers and counsellors to help establish and maintain robust career and college counselling departments.

According to the report, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are identified as the states with the highest number of student suicides, together accounting for one-third of the national total.

Southern states and union territories collectively contribute 29 per cent of these cases, while Rajasthan, known for its high-stakes academic environment, ranks 10th, highlighting the intense pressure associated with coaching hubs like Kota.

“The data compiled by the NCRB is based on police-recorded first information reports (FIRs). However, it is important to acknowledge that the actual number of student suicides is likely underreported. This under-reporting can be attributed to several factors, including the social stigma surrounding suicide and the criminalisation of attempted and assisted suicide under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.

Although the 2017 Mental Healthcare Act decriminalises suicide attempts for individuals with mental illness, the legacy of criminalisation continues to impact reporting practices, it said.

“Moreover, there are significant data discrepancies due to the lack of a robust data collection system, particularly in rural areas, where reporting is less consistent compared to urban regions,” it said.

Ganesh Kohli, the Founder of the IC3 Movement, said the report serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address mental health challenges within our learning institutions.

“Our educational focus must shift to fostering the competencies of our learners such that it supports their overall well-being, versus pushing them to compete amongst each other.

“It is imperative that we build a systematic, comprehensive, and robust career and college counselling system within each institution, while seamlessly integrating the same within the learning curriculum,” he said.

Additionally, the report noted a dramatic increase in student suicides, with male suicides rising by 50 per cent and female suicides by 61 per cent over the past decade.

“Both genders have experienced an average annual increase of 5 pc (per cent) in the last five years. These alarming statistics underscore the critical need for enhanced counseling infrastructure and a deeper understanding of student aspirations.

“Addressing these gaps is essential for shifting the focus from competitive pressures to nurturing core competencies and well- being, thereby supporting students more effectively and preventing such tragedies,” the report said.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday undertook a ride on the DTC bus and interacted with the drivers, conductors and marshals near the Sarojini Nagar Bus depot here to discuss their issues.

In a Facebook post, Gandhi shared pictures of his interaction and the bus ride.

“There was a meeting and discussion with the driver and conductor brothers, and bus marshals in Delhi and then a fun ride in a DTC bus. A talk with loved ones on their issues!” he said in a post in Hindi on X.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also posted pictures of her brother’s interaction.

“How do the drivers, conductors and marshals who run a transport corporation with thousands of buses in the service of the public manage their households? How do they manage their lives amidst inflation, rising fees of children, tensions regarding salary and pension?” she said in a post in Hindi on X.

“There are crores of such voices in the country, who are forced to live in terrible economic insecurity. It is important to listen to their Mann Ki Baat. Rahul Gandhi ji is constantly listening to them and raising his voice for justice for them,” she said.

Today, he travelled in a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus and met the drivers, conductors and marshals and shared their problems, the Congress leader added.