The Government of India has appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM & Bar, as the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) with effect from the afternoon of August 31, 2026. He will succeed Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, who retires from service on the same day. Presently serving as the Director General Medical Services (Air), Air Marshal Thareja brings nearly four decades of distinguished service across the clinical, academic, operational and administrative domains of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). An alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, he was commissioned into the…
Author: Digital Desk
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth, today launched the indigenously developed Xtreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel, a specialised fuel designed to enhance the mobility, safety and operational readiness of military vehicles operating in extreme climatic conditions. Developed through a collaborative effort between the Indian Army and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the fuel marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Conventional diesel tends to thicken at extremely low temperatures, leading to fuel filter clogging and affecting the performance of vehicles deployed in high-altitude and snow-bound regions. XWG Diesel addresses this challenge…
The Indian Army’s Eastern Command continues to reinforce operational preparedness and nation-building through focused training initiatives. Under the aegis of Eastern Command, troops of Brahmastra Corps and Army Aviation recently conducted an integrated joint exercise to enhance battlefield synergy, refining capabilities in troop insertion, casualty evacuation, aerial reconnaissance and coordinated operations across dynamic combat scenarios. The exercise strengthened interoperability and sharpened the force’s ability to respond swiftly across varied operational environments. In a parallel initiative, the Red Horns Division of Gajraj Corps organised an intensive training capsule for NCC cadets aspiring to join the Indian Army through the Agniveer recruitment…
-by Pratyusha Mukherjee “The waters mirror the heavens, the mountains guard eternity, and every step around its shores is believed to bring one closer to enlightenment.” This ancient Tibetan belief encapsulates the enduring significance of Namtso Lake, one of the highest and most sacred lakes on Earth. Situated amidst the vast expanse of the Tibetan Plateau, Namtso is far more than a geographical landmark. It is a living symbol of Tibet’s natural grandeur, spiritual traditions, and nomadic heritage, revered by pilgrims, studied by scientists, and admired by travellers for centuries. Located approximately 240 kilometres northwest of Lhasa in the Tibet…
-by Pratyusha Mukherjee India and Tibet share a centuries-old historical and cultural relationship shaped by trade, religion, and intellectual exchange. From ancient times, Indian Buddhism spread to Tibet, especially from the 7th century onward, through scholars such as Padmasambhava and translators who carried Indian Buddhist texts and philosophy across the Himalayas. Tibetan monks studied at great Indian centres of learning like Nalanda Mahavihara, creating a strong spiritual and scholarly connection. Alongside religious ties, merchants travelled through Himalayan routes, linking the two regions economically and culturally. In modern history, relations have been influenced by Tibet’s political changes and India’s role as…
The Indian Navy has inducted its second indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV) ‘Nipun’, further strengthening its capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater rescue and specialised maritime operations. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), the advanced vessel was delivered to the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam on July 30, 2026. Designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), ‘Nipun’ represents another significant milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding. Named after the Sanskrit word ‘Nipun’, meaning skilled, capable and proficient in a particular discipline, the vessel reflects its specialised role in supporting complex…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the evolving situation arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia and assess measures being taken by various ministries and departments to protect India’s strategic and economic interests. This was the fourth special CCS meeting convened on the issue, with senior officials briefing the Prime Minister on the geopolitical situation and steps initiated to ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities, including petroleum products and fertilizers. Cabinet Secretary briefed the CCS on measures taken to maintain adequate availability of fuel supplies, including LNG, LPG,…
– by Pratyusha Mukherjee The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the Brazil senior men’s national team will play an international friendly against India on October 3, 2026, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The match will be one of the biggest fixtures in Indian football history, with five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil set to face the Indian national team. It will also mark the highest-ranked opponent India have faced since the FIFA World Ranking system was introduced in 1992, with Brazil currently ranked fifth in the world. Brazil’s rich footballing legacy has inspired generations…
The Governor of West Bengal, Shri R. N. Ravi, today chaired a meeting with the Vice-Chancellors and senior officials of 47 State, Private and Deemed Universities across West Bengal to review preparations for the Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan, which will be launched nationwide by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on 2 August through video conferencing. Calling upon the universities to lead this national campaign against drug abuse and narcotics, the Governor urged them to prepare comprehensive institutional roadmaps and undertake innovative and sustained initiatives with the active participation of students, parents and the wider community.…
Minister of State for Defence Mr.Sanjay Seth today underscored the importance of defence indigenisation in building a robust defence ecosystem driven by innovation, saying indigenous ideas must be transformed into products that strengthen the country’s military capabilities. Chairing the joint Indian Air Force (IAF)-Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) seminar, ‘SANKALP’, in the national capital, Seth said the initiative would serve as a platform for collaboration between the armed forces, industry and academia to accelerate self-reliance in the defence sector. He said the seminar would facilitate discussions on Indigenous Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), component manufacturing, certification, technology absorption and…