India, Israel to Come Together for Joint Missile Development for Army

Prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to Israel in June, India has approved a ₹17,000-crore deal.to jointly develop a medium range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) system for the Army.

This is the latest in a series of other variants of SAM systems for the Navy and the Air Force being jointly developed with Israeli help under deals estimated at billions of dollars.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Mr. Modi, at a meeting on Wednesday, gave the go-ahead for the deal to be executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).

According to a source, Mr. Modi is likely to visit Israel in June, and preparations were on in both countries.

The deal is for 200 missiles for five regiments, each getting 40 units. The missile has a range of 50-70 km.

“The system will be based on the older Barak system of Israel, which is in use in India. It is being changed as per requirements,” a defence source said on Thursday.

The systems will be manufactured in India and would have an 80% indigenous content.

The DRDO would play a crucial role in developing the target homing system. Deliveries would begin in 2023, a source said.

The two countries are also in an advanced stage of negotiations for the purchase of two more long-range Phalcon Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS). The CCS had approved the deal for additional AWACS last year that is expected to cost ₹7,500 crore.




Report: The Hindu

Liquor Ban In Cyber Hub

Since the Supreme Court's recent ruling that ordered a ban on liquor sale within 500 metres of national and state highways, thirty- four pubs and bars in Gurgaon's upscale DLF CyberHub, near the Delhi- Gurgaon Expressway seem to be heading into a future full of uncertainties.

Moreover, a total of 109 pubs and 43 liquor vends have been identified by the excise department. These pubs and vends will lose their licences on April 1 in compliance with the apex court order.

The bars in several five-star hotels and resorts, located along the expressway, also fall within the red zone.

On December 15, the Supreme Court had directed states and union territories to stop sale of liquor within 500 metres of national and the state highways, as well as on service lanes along highways.

The court also directed the administration and the police departments of all states to chalk out a plan for enforcement within a month.

The closure of the 43 liquor vends could result in a loss of Rs 70.81 crore in revenue per year.

Some pubs and bars in the Sector 29 market will also be affected. A number of such outlets are also located along Sohna Road.

“We will comply with the orders of the Supreme Court. We have conducted a survey and will shortly submit the report to the headquarters,” said Aruna Singh, deputy excise and taxation commissioner, Gurgaon.

Pub owners are planning to meet the excise department officials to get more clarity on the matter.

“Restaurants are being targeted unjustifiably. A restaurant is the safest place for an individual to drink and at least more than three-and-a-half lakh employees face the risk of losing jobs,” said Arvind Kumar, general manager, The Wine Company.

“Due to a lack of description in the ruling, all food and beverages outlets have come under the scanner. Let’s hope that the Supreme Court will explain this and give us a realistic guideline of the ruling,” Goumtesh Singh, owner, Raasta Cafe.

Report and statements collected from The Hindustan Times

WATCH | Ninjago Movie Trailer: Jackie Chan and Taylor Swift Come Together For The Lego Movie

A first trailer has been released for The Lego Ninjago Movie, which hits theatres on September 22.

Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Peña and Zach Woods star in the third movie in the Lego franchise.

In the movie, “the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors,” according to a description. “Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad.”

The Lego Ninjago Movie is the feature film directorial debut of Charlie Bean (Tron: Uprising) and is produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Roy Lee, who collaborated on The Lego Movie, as well as Maryann Garger (Flushed Away).

Mount Everest Base Camp To Become Free WiFi Zone

The base camp of Mount Everest will soon be a site for Nepal for the creation of free WiFi zones in the region. Located at an altitude of 5, 360 metres (17, 600) feet, the base camp will become the highest location with an availability of free WiFi services, which will also prove to be helpful in rescue efforts during any contingencies.

Mobile and landline services have reached out towards the base camp through Nepal's telecom service providers, overshadowing the use of expensive satellite phones. However, the use of mobile phones atop the 8, 848 metres high Everest still appears to be a far- fetched fancy.

Mountaineering news portal Himalayanglacier has pointed out that WiFi services tend to become more expensive as one ascends, along with services such as food and lodging.

“You can buy credits amounting to ½ GB of internet from Everest Link at around $8 in a place called Machermo. Once you reach the base camp, purchasing WiFi comes at a very high cost of around $5 per hour…,” the portal states.

Digambar Jha, chairman of state-run Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), said in Kathmandu on Wednesday that the regulator plans to set up free WiFi zones along the trials of Lukla-Everest Base Camp area and Annapurna Base Camp. “We will expand this service in other areas too,” he said.

Jha also added that the WiFi service will operate on the “Okumura Model”, which uses low-cost optical fibre cables for high-speed internet. Special optical fibres resistant to extremely cold weather and icefall will be used for the service. “We have already discussed the project with the International Telecommunication Union, and they are also positive about providing such facilities,” he added.

Besides easing communication, tourists and other users can send photos, videos and messages that will help boost tourism, Jha said.

Accidents and rescue missions
The harsh climatic conditions coupled with high altitudes pose serious hindrances to rescue efforts in case of accidents, turning out to become costly affairs for the government and tourist entrepreneurs. The absence of proper communication media only adds to these woes.

Therefore, to ease rescue efforts through WiFi services, the authorities are determined on being open to other options besides optical fibres: if the latter do not work at high altitudes, other technologies such as micro-wave will be used to provide the WiFi service.

Rape, Molestation Are On Rise Around Us... But Hey! Let's Carry On With the "Whataboutery"!

Every time someone expresses one's concern over how women in our country are ceaselessly facing the evils of rape, molestation and discrimination, they are unabashedly ridiculed by a large host of people who come with the absurd whataboutery to counter legit arguments against misogyny and harassment.

Anyway, certain numbers have come forward through the minister of state for home affairs revealing the horrible truth which the enemies of womankind are bent on denying.

As many as 140 cases of rape and 238 cases of molestation were registered by Delhi Police in January this year alone, of which 43 and 133 cases respectively remain unsolved. 

The number of rape cases registered in 2016 was 2,155, of which 291 were unsolved, while there were 4,165 molestation cases of which 1,132 are unsolved. 

There were 36 rape cases registered against Delhi Police personnel in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. Of these, 28 were registered in Delhi and 8 in other states. While two of these cases were cancelled or quashed, in six cases there were aquittals while 28 cases are pending trial or investigation. 

Ninety cases of molestation and 9 cases of eve-teasing were also registered against Delhi Police personnel in these three years. 

The details were tabled in the Rajya Sabha by minister of state for home affairs Hans Raj Ahir during Question Hour. 

According to the details provided by the minister, 51 cases of eve-teasing were registered, of which 25 remain unsolved. 

“The reasons for unsolved cases vary from case to case. However, some of the main reasons include non- identification of the accused person, stay on the arrest of the accused by courts, insufficient evidence or the accused person is absconding and not traceable,” the minister said.

-Report by PTI 

 

PHOTOBLOG | A Whiff of Breathtaking Mountains

J. R. R Tolkien, the creator of The Lord of the Rings once said, "Not all those who wander are lost." And true to the words of the master storyteller, adventurous travellers have over the years followed unbeaten paths that run beyond doors before dwindling somewhere far off in places of wonder and beauty.

And so, today we bring to you some spectacular sights captured by a young traveller during his many wanderings.

Indulge and enjoy.


1. A world above the clouds






2. Pristine serenity






3. The marching woods capped with snow






4. Roots of the departed






5. Whispering through the eyes






6. Furry musings






7. Winter- kissed






8. Chasing the shooting star






9. "Home is behind, the world ahead."

10. Concrete storytellers

The photographer, Jagdeep Singh Sandhu is an 

automotive researcher for a Gurgaon based MNC.

All images are subjected to copyright under JD Photography,

owned, managed and curated by Jagdeep Singh Sandhu.

NATIONAL PAPERTALK | Kailash Satyarthi's Nobel Prize Certificate Stolen

Social activist Kailash Satyarthi’s Nobel Peace Prize certificate and other valuables were stolen from his New Delhi residence on Monday night.

An official of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, a non-profit organisation which Mr. Satyarthi runs for child rights, confirmed to The Hindu that the theft took place at his apartment in the Alaknanda neighbourhood of the national capital.

Mr. Satyarthi’s son discovered the theft when he went to the apartment on Tuesday morning.

“It was a forced entry. We have not identified the intruder yet. Along with the original Nobel Peace Prize certificate, some jewellery and electronic goods have also been stolen. An FIR has been lodged at the Kalkaji police station,” the official said.

Mr. Satyarthi attended the Nobel Peace summit in Colombia from February 2-5 and is still out of the country.



Report by The Hindu