By: Husan Rizwan

While Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth, 28, became the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the R-Day parade as she was part of an IAF tableau that showcased mock-ups of an light combat aircraft, light combat helicopter and a Sukhoi-30 fighter plane, Flight Lieutenant Swati Rathore got the honour to be the first woman to be part of the flypast over Rajpath as she flew a Mi-17 V5 helicopter in a formation of four choppers.

Currently posted at an airbase in Rajasthan, Ft Lt Bhawana Kanth flies MiG-21 Bison fighter jets, the same aircraft that was used by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to chase and bring down an F-16 of Pakistan during the India-Pakistan face-off in 2019. Along with Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh, Kanth was inducted into the IAF as the first woman fighter pilot in 2016. On May 22, 2019, Ft Lt Kanth became one of the first three women fighter pilots to qualify for day-time combat missions on a fighter aircraft.

Like Kanth, Ft Lt Swati Rathore too was born in a village, in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district and did her schooling from Ajmer. She joined the NCC air wing after her schooling as her parents realised her interest in aviation. At the NCC, she won a gold medal in shooting.

In 2013, Swati, who had always dreamt of becoming a pilot, appeared in the IAF common admission test. After clearing it, she was called for an interview by the Air Force Selection Board, Dehradun, in 2014. According to Swati, there were around 200 women candidates from all over the country, out of which 98 were selected for screening. Only five students were left after the screening, in which only she was selected for the flying branch.

Ft Lt Swati Rathore, in an interview to the media earlier, said, “Opportunities are everywhere. You have to look for those opportunities and make the most of them. In fact, parents should always find out the interests of their children and should develop those interests by supporting the kids in every possible way.”

The woman approached a metropolitan magistrate’s court here in 2013, alleging that she had been raped by Soren in a hotel in Mumbai.

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has said it is not inclined to permit the withdrawal of a petition filed by a woman, who had made rape allegations against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

On Monday, a division bench of Justices S S Shinde and Manish Pitale said it will hear the woman’s plea on February 18.

The woman approached a metropolitan magistrate’s court here in 2013, alleging that she had been raped by Soren in a hotel in Mumbai.

The same year, she filed a withdrawal application before the court in Bandra, stating that she wished to withdraw the allegations and her complaint.

The court at that time allowed it to be withdrawn.

In August last year, she approached the Bombay High Court, stating that she had met with an accident and Soren might be behind the accident.

The woman had sought that an FIR be registered against Soren again.

Last month, she filed a plea in the HC, stating that she had decided to change her lawyers.

On Monday, the new lawyers appearing for the woman again submitted that she wished to withdraw the petition filed before the high court for seeking registration of the FIR.

The bench, however, said it was “not inclined at this stage to accede to the prayer made” by the woman.

The state’s counsel, Deepak Thakare, sought time to file a closure report in the case.

Meanwhile, two intervention applications were filed in the HC last week seeking to intervene in the case.

One of the applications was filed by a Jharkhand-based former journalist Sunil Kumar Tiwari, and the other by one Stree Roshni Trust.

The trust has approached the HC through senior lawyer Satish Maneshinde.

Both the applicants have sought that the woman not be allowed to withdraw the case.

The HC will hear the intervention applications and the woman’s plea on February 18.

School children, who turn up in large numbers at the Republic Day parade every year, were confined to their homes this time, hooked to their TV sets to watch the festivities.

NEW DELHI: With coronavirus playing a dampener this year, it wasn’t a usual Republic Day morning for children as they weren’t allowed entry at the celebrations at Rajpath.

School children, who turn up in large numbers at the Republic Day parade every year, were confined to their homes this time, hooked to their TV sets to watch the festivities.

They did not get the opportunity to dress up and take part in cultural celebrations as schools continue to be closed due to coronavirus.

Few schools had organised online essay writing competitions on Republic Day and activities such as flag colouring for primary classes.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the spectator strength at the parade was brought down from 1.15 lakh to 25,000 and children below 15 years were not allowed.

Few children accompanied their parents, who were not aware of the norms, to the parade but were turned away by security personnel from different check points.

Children, whose siblings were participating in the cultural programme at the parade, could not see their performance.

“I came with my parents and elder brother but now they are not allowing me. I was so excited about the parade. I was even wearing a mask and gloves to follow the protocols. Since I cannot go, my parents are also going back with me,” said 12-year-old Shrutika, who could not attend the parade.

Her father, Ram Bhargav, said, “Why did they issue a pass if she was not allowed in the first place? Nobody told us then. I had an argument with the police personnel but they did not allow.”

Abhinav Shukla, 7, said, “I was waiting a whole year to go to the parade but due to the virus they did not allow children. I am now watching it on TV. Tableaux and military displays are favourite part of my parade”.

“Usually I would dress up as a freedom fighter for celebrations at school or take part in patriotic dance but this year we have been asked to watch the parade and write an essay on it,” said his 5-year-old brother Shivang Shukla.

Preeti Gaur, whose younger sister was participating in a dance on the theme “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), had to watch her performance on TV though her parents went to the parade.

“It was a proud moment for us. I wish I could see her performance in person but since I wasn’t allowed, my parents went and I watched it on TV,” she said.

The 72nd Republic Day Parade witnessed several major changes owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first time in 55 years, no foreign dignitary attended the January 26 parade.

This year, the contingents only marched for a distance of 3.5 km instead of the usual 8.5 km.

The farmers had deviated from the designated route for the proposed tractor parade against the new farm laws and moved toward ITO in central Delhi.

NEW DELHI: Police removed protesting farmers from Red Fort premises on Tuesday where they had barged in after deviating from their planned route for the tractor parade and hoisted flags at the iconic monument in the national capital.

Chaos reigned for nearly 90 minutes as some protesters, including ‘Nihangs’ (traditional Sikh warriors), forced their way into the Red Fort and hoisted a flag from the staff from which the prime minister unfurls the tricolour on Independence Day.

The police later resorted to lathi-charge to vacate the Red Fort premises.

Continuous announcements were being made asking the protesters to leave the complex peacefully.

Earlier, the farmers had deviated from the designated route for the proposed tractor parade against the new farm laws and moved toward ITO in central Delhi.

Clashes broke out between police and protesting farmers after the latter reached ITO and tried to push towards Lutyen’s Delhi, prompting the force to use lathicharge and tear gas shells against them.

The farmers began their march from different border points much before the time permitted to them for their tractor rally.

The Delhi Police had permitted the farmers protesting the three farm laws to hold their tractor parade on selected routes only after the official Republic Day parade on the Rajpath concludes.

Sources said the Chinese troops attempted to transgress into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but were stopped by the Indian military personnel.

NEW DELHI: Indian and Chinese troops came face-to-face at Naku La in North Sikkim last week amid the tense border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh, people familiar with the development said on Monday.

They said the Chinese troops attempted to transgress into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but were stopped by the Indian military personnel.

However, there was no official word on the incident yet.

Naku La was the same site where the Indian and Chinese troops had engaged in a fierce face-off on May 9 last year following a violent clash between the two sides in Pangong lake area in eastern Ladakh that has triggered the nearly nine-month-long military standoff.

The Indian and Chinese armies on Sunday held another round of Corps Commander-level talks with an aim to move forward on disengagement of troops from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

The farmers have been instructed that no tractor will overtake each other, trolleys will not be allowed in the parade and a maximum of five people including the driver can ride on one tractor.

CHANDIGARH: More than 1.25 lakh tractors have reached the Singhu and Tikri borders from Punjab and Haryana to participate in the tractor parade. The farmers have been instructed that no tractor will overtake each other, trolleys will not be allowed in the parade and a maximum of five people including the driver can ride on one tractor. Also some 2,500 volunteers appointed by the farmer union will maintain discipline during the parade.

Bhartiya Kisan Union, Punjab (Lakhowal Group) General Secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal said a discipline committee had been formed for the purpose. “As we now have got the route plan, some 2,500 volunteers have been assigned duties.”

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has issued instructions for the farmers to participate in the Republic Day parade.

As per the instructions, “Farmer leaders will lead the parade in their vehicles. No car or tractor shall overtake their vehicle. Please follow the directions of our traffic volunteers dressed in green jackets. Trolleys will not be allowed in the parade. Only Tractors and other vehicles will be allowed. A maximum of five people including the driver can ride on one tractor. No one will ride on the bonnet, bumper or roof of tractors. Trolleys with special tableaux may be exempted. Please arrange for the safety of the trolley from the behind. Pack twenty four hours of ration and water with you. Make sure you have proper arrangements for protection from cold. It might be required if you are stuck in a traffic jam.”

The set of instructions further reads, “Sanyukt Kisan Morcha appeals that every tractor or cart should be fitted with the flag of the farmers’ organizations as well as the national flag. There will be no flag of any political party. Do not carry any weapon with you, not even sticks. Do not use banners with any provocative or negative slogans. If you wish to inform of your participation in the parade, give a missed call on 84483 85556. The route for the parade has been pre-decided and marked. Police and traffic volunteers will guide you. Action will be taken against any car or tractor found deviating from the designated route.”

It has been decided that if any car or tractor halts and occupies an area without any reason, it will be removed by volunteers. All tractors in the parade will return to the starting point after completing the parade. All tractors must proceed in a line and there will be no overtaking throughout the parade. Please don’t overtake the vehicles of farmer leaders leading the parade. Also please don’t play music in the tractor. This will ensure that all announcements are heard by everyone in the parade without any hindrance, the instructions stated.

It also added that use of any drugs before or during the parade is prohibited. If you find anyone in possession or consuming drugs, please report it to the nearest traffic volunteer.

Please remember that our intent is to gracefully carry out the parade and win the hearts of our fellow citizens. Please take special care that we have to treat women with utmost respect. Policemen are also farmers in uniform, we don’t have to fight with them. Also please do not pollute the surroundings by throwing garbage on roads. You are kindly advised to carry a bag for disposal of waste.

The instructions further stated, Kisan Ekta Morcha has made provisions for emergency of every kind, so do not panic if there is any problem, just follow these instructions, ignore any rumors. If you want to check something or verify something, then have a look on the Facebook Page of Kisan Ekta Morcha to verify the truth.

Also ambulances will be available on parade routes and arrangements have been made with hospitals. If there is a medical emergency, call the helpline number or inform the nearest volunteer. In case of any issue with the tractor or the car, place it on the side and contact the Volunteer or call the helpline. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha’s helpline number will be open for twenty four hours for this parade. If there is any incident, then you can report it to the police control room at number 112 and helpline number 74283 84230.

Friends, we are about to make history. Never before in history have the people of this republic been part of a parade of this nature on the Republic Day. Through this parade, we have to tell about our plight to the country and the world. We have to bring forth the truth about the three Anti-Farmer Laws. We have to take care that this historical parade is not stained at any cost. Our victory lies in the parade being taken out in a very peaceful manner; without any unwanted events taking place. Remember that our aim is not to conquer Delhi, but to win over the hearts of the people of this country, it added.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday sought responses from the Centre, Press Council of India (PCI) and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) on a PIL seeking setting up of a media tribunal to adjudicate on complaints against media, channels and networks.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian took note of the plea which also sought setting up of an independent committee headed by either by a former Chief Justice of India or an apex court judge to review the entire legal framework related to media business regulations and suggest guidelines.

Besides the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, PCI and NBA, the bench also issued notices to News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) and News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) on the PIL filed jointly by film maker, Nilesh Navalakha and civil engineer Nitin Memane in the proceedings conducted through video conferencing.

The plea said media, particularly the electronic, has become like an unruly horse which needs to be tamed.

Significantly, the three-day session (December 28 to 30, 2020) was postponed on December 27 following an all party meeting chaired by Pro Tem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma.

BHOPAL: The opposition Congress has written to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Pro Tem Speaker, seeking permission to move a breach-of-privilege motion against three senior health department officials, accusing them of “manipulating and concealing” actual facts about Covid pandemic, just to get the Vidhan Sabha’s winter session postponed last month.

Significantly, the three-day session (December 28 to 30, 2020) was postponed on December 27 following an all party meeting chaired by Pro Tem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma.

At that time Additional Chief Secretary (ACS-Health) Mohd. Suleman had made a presentation about the “alarming” 

situation of Covid pandemic in Bhopal, claiming that many staff of the Vidhan Sabha and the MLA Rest House had tested positive. The presentation played an important role in postponing the session. The eight-page letter addressed to the Pro Tem Speaker was moved by Leader of  Opposition and state Congress chief Kamal Nath on Saturday evening and has signatures of six other Congress MLAs.

The motion has been sought against ACS (Health) Mohd Suleman and others for “concealing” actual facts and “conspiring” to  postpone the session

“We’ve got strong evidence which suggests that the claim of a large number of Vidhan Sabha staff testing positive was nothing but fake. The  session was postponed by fudging the numbers, just to save the government from being cornered by the opposition on various burning issues,” Congress MLA from Bhopal South West and former law minister PC Sharma said on Saturday.

Reacting, state BJP spokesperson Rahul Kothari said, “Congress is making false allegations, as the winter session was postponed following consensus at all-party meeting.”

Banerjee on Saturday refused to speak at an official event attended by PM Modi to mark the beginning of the celebrations of Netaji’s 124th birth anniversary after ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans were raised.

LUCKNOW: No one is being forced to raise ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans and there is nothing to feel bad about such chants, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday after his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee refused to speak at an event over raising of such slogans.

Banerjee on Saturday refused to speak at an official event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the beginning of the celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 124th birth anniversary after ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans were raised just before she was to start her address.

Speaking to a select group of journalists, Adityanath said, “If someone says Jai Shri Ram there is nothing to feel bad about it as it is a greeting”‘.

“If someone says ‘namaskar’ or ‘Jai Shri Ram’ it shows his etiquette,” he said

Responding to questions on Banerjee refusing to speak after such chants, Adityanath said, “We are not forcing anyone to speak it. But if someone says Jai Shri Ram there is nothing to feel bad about it.”

The West Bengal chief minister had expressed displeasure at BJP supporters at the event shouting slogans.

She said such an “insult” was unacceptable.

With elections due in the state in March-April, the tussle between the BJP and Banerjee’s TMC has intensified.

Talking about law and order in the state, Adityanath, said the state witnessed several riots during earlier regimes while under this government the state has not witnessed any such incident.

He claimed the law and order situation in the state is one of the best in the country.