As the country celebrates the <keyword id="20714280" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="25th-anniversary" source="keywords">25th anniversary</keyword> of the <keyword id="21429298" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kargil-Vijay-Diwas" source="keywords">Kargil Vijay Diwas</keyword> on Friday, the families of the <keyword id="19905273" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="soldiers" source="keywords">soldiers</keyword> remembered the bravery and dedication of their loved ones and paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the <keyword id="953244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="1999-Kargil-War" source="Orion">1999 Kargil War</keyword>. Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major (Honorary Capt) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd.) said that the people of the nation are proud of the soldiers who laid their lives for the country. "Today the people of the country are proud of the soldiers who laid their lives for the country. Today we have gathered here at the memorial in Drass to pay homage to those brave soldiers," he said. Subedar Major RT Rais Ahmed said that he got involved in the <keyword id="19908736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Army" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Army">Indian Army</keyword> in 1997 and remembered all the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. "For the past three years, we have come here to pay tribute to our brave soldiers. The Army has become much stronger and stronger. They fight for our country in any situation. On the occasion of 25 Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember all our soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Ahead of <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword>'s visit here today, the morale of the Armed Forces will be boosted," he said. Veteran Chief Petty Officer Radio IND Navy Anant Joshi said, "The 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas is very important for us where 527 people sacrificed their lives for the nation. The people who sacrificed their lives for the country were the youngsters. The people of today's generation should learn all this." Eshanika, daughter of an Army officer, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that, as the PM, he is doing a really great job."PM Modi coming here is a really good thing and I am always a fan of him, like he is my role model. So I am pretty happy. Him coming here and paying tribute is a really good thing." she said. Tashi Namgyal, the man who first spotted Pakistani intruders, said that he gave the report to the forces and after eight, the war started. "During that time, I saw six people with the binoculars and then I gave the report to the Punjab unit," he said. Meanwhile, in Kargil, security was heightened ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the <keyword id="20143432" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kargil-War" source="keywords">Kargil War</keyword> Memorial on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024. PM Modi will visit Kargil today, at around 9:20 am and pay homage to the brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Prime Minister Modi will also carry out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project, virtually The arrangements are in full accordance with security purposes at the Kargil War Memorial at Drass, ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists.

Families of soldiers pays tribute to soldiers who lost lives in 1999 Kargil War

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Two fighter jets landed on and took off from India's new aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, this month.</li><li>The jets that landed on Vikrant may not be the jets that India uses on its carriers in the future.</li></ul>On February 6, the Indian Navy <a href="https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/maiden-landing-lca-navy-and-mig-29k-fighter-aircraft-onboard-ins-vikrant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that fixed-wing aircraft had successfully landed on and taken off from India's first domestically built aircraft carrier, <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/features/ins-vikrant-a-profile-of-indias-newest-aircraft-carrier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">INS Vikrant</a>.The jets involved were the naval variant of the Indian-made <a href="https://www.hotcars.com/underrated-hal-tejas-elevates-indian-air-force/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tejas</a> fighter, referred to as "LCA Navy" for "Light Combat Aircraft Navy" in the <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1622585639664484352" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a>, followed by a Russian-designed <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1622594390945587201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1622594390945587201%7Ctwgr%5Ef439a694d93f6794ba5cd34d33c25d14cb5d70bf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aviacionline.com%2F2023%2F02%2Fnaval-tejas-and-mig-29k-tested-aboard-ins-vikrant-indias-new-aircraft-carrier%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MiG-29K</a>. Each jet landed using the carrier's arresting cable and then launched from the carrier's ski-jump ramp.The operations were the latest milestone in New Delhi's "Atmanirbhar Bharat," or "self-reliant India," initiative, which is meant to increase domestic production of military hardware.Adm. R. Hari Kumar, India's Chief of Naval Staff, said in a statement that the operations marked "a momentous step forward towards the realization of our collective vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat" and heralded the integration of the MiG-29K into the carrier's inventory.Vikrant's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-new-chinese-and-indian-aircraft-carriers-compare-2022-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduction</a> and its first jet operations come at an important time for the Indian Navy, which is seeking to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/after-himalayan-clash-india-prepares-navy-to-take-on-china-2021-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increase its strength</a> to counter the growing threat from China.<h2>Indian carriers</h2><div type="image" title="India navy aircraft carrier INS Vikrant Tejas fighter jet" height="559" width="840" msid="98192314" hostid="261"></div>Though Vikrant is India's first domestically built carrier, it is actually <a href="https://pib.gov.in/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?NoteId=151135&amp;ModuleId%20=%202" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the fourth</a> to enter service with the Indian Navy. The first two, INS Vikrant (namesake of the current Vikrant) and INS Viraat, were both former British carriers in service with India from 1961 to 1997 and 1987 to 2017, respectively.The third carrier, <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ins-vikramaditya-aircraft-carrier/#:~:text=The%20ship%20also%20employs%20six,to%2045%20days%20at%20sea." target="_blank" rel="noopener">INS Vikramaditya</a>, is a modified Kiev-class carrier India <a href="https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/india-wont-even-think-about-buying-russian-aircraft-carrier-again-196265" target="_blank" rel="noopener">purchased</a> from Russia in 2004. Commissioned in 2013, Vikramaditya brought with it the <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/mig-29k-carrier-based-multirole-fighter-aircraft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MiG-29K</a>, the carrier version of the famed MiG-29 fighter jet. The Indian Navy previously used the venerable <a href="http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/bae_sea_harrier.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sea Harrier</a>.At about 930 feet long, Vikramaditya displaces about 44,000 tons and can carry 36 aircraft, mainly MiG-29Ks and a combination of <a href="http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/kamov_ka31.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ka-31</a>, <a href="https://weaponsystems.net/system/1288-Kamov%20Ka-27PL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ka-28</a>, and <a href="http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/dhruv.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HAL Dhruv</a> helicopters. It has a crew of 1,600, a top speed of 28 knots, and a range of about 7,000 nautical miles.Vikrant, meanwhile, measures about 860 feet in length, displaces around 43,000 tons, and can carry 30 aircraft. It has a crew of 1,500, a top speed of 28 knots, and a range of 7,500 nautical miles.<div type="image" title="India navy aircraft carrier INS Vikrant MiG-29K fighter jet" height="559" width="840" msid="98192315" hostid="261"></div>Both carriers use a short takeoff but arrested recovery, or STOBAR, system that launches aircraft off a ski-jump ramp rather than from deck-mounted catapults.INS Vikrant is expected to be ready for operations by the end of this year and INS Vikramaditya is expected to return this spring after an extensive 15-month refit. The newer carrier <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aircraft-carrier-ins-vikramaditya-is-back-on-high-seas-101676775908275.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">will reportedly</a> be based on India's East Coast and the older carrier on the West Coast.India's carriers have been extremely valuable for projecting power in the Indian Ocean, where New Delhi has long regarded itself as the most influential actor.Vikrant aided the annexation of Goa from Portugal in 1961 by deterring foreign intervention and was vital to the naval blockade of Bangladesh (then called East Pakistan) during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Viraat supported India's peacekeeping efforts in Sri Lanka and <a href="https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/041219/operation-talwar-how-the-navy-silently-contributed-to-kargil-win.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">threatened to blockade</a> Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil War.<div type="image" title="INS Vikramaditya" height="826" width="1240" msid="98192319" hostid="261"></div>In recent years, Indian concerns have focused on China's increasing presence and activity in the Indian Ocean. China has deployed surface ships to conduct anti-piracy <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-navy-growth-and-search-for-overseas-bases-worries-us-2022-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">patrols off the Horn of Africa</a> since 2008, and a Chinese submarine visit to Sri Lanka in 2014 <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-china-border-clashes-could-cause-more-indian-ocean-activity-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raised alarm in India</a>.Since then, Beijing has set up <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-chinese-troops-coexist-and-cooperate-in-djibouti-general-says-2022-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a naval base in Djibouti</a> and pursued port projects — which are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-worried-about-chinese-activity-near-maritime-chokepoints-2022-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seen as avenues to advance</a> Chinese economic, diplomatic, and potentially military influence — around the region, including a 99-year lease in Hambantota, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/indias-concern-with-beijing-expansion-grows-with-sri-lanka-port-deal-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strategically located port</a> in southern Sri Lanka where India has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-military-survey-ship-docks-sri-lanka-port-2022-08-16/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">longstanding concern</a> about Chinese military activity. A <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-military-survey-ship-docks-sri-lanka-port-2022-08-16/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">port call</a> in Hambantota last year by a Chinese tracking vessel raised alarm in India about spying missions off its coasts.By adding carriers — Indian officials are already <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-navy-plans-for-another-vikrant-size-carrier-before-vikramaditya-retires/article66529445.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">considering</a> buying another Vikrant-size carrier — India's navy can keep them at sea off of both its coasts and around the region in order to monitor activity and potential threats from China's navy, the largest in the world.More carriers would also help India maintain its naval advantage over its longtime rival, Pakistan.<h2>Indian jets</h2><div type="image" title="India navy aircraft carrier INS Vikrant Tejas fighter jet" height="364" width="840" msid="98192320" hostid="261"></div>Though the Tejas and MiG-29K are the first jets India has operated on Vikrant's deck, they are not jets that India plans to use in the carrier's air wing in the future.In 2016, the Indian Navy <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/navy-rejects-tejas-says-overweight-fighter-does-not-meet-its-requirements/articleshow/55756350.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> the naval variant of the Tejas because its single-engine design gives it a low thrust-to-weight ratio, making it unable to launch from a STOBAR carrier with a full load of fuel and weapons. The jet is only being used as a technology demonstrator to inform future operations and development.The MiG-29K, meanwhile, has been <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/land/2017/08/04/indian-navy-wants-russian-mig-29k-jets-to-be-ruggedized/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a headache</a> for India. At least five of the 45 jets it has purchased have <a href="https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indian-navy-reports-crash-of-fifth-mig-29k-in-four-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crashed</a> in the last four years. A 2016 <a href="https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/mig-29k-has-engine-failure-airframe-issues-cag-report-271853" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> by the Indian government said 40 of the 65 MiG-29K engines delivered to India had been withdrawn from service or rejected because of defects and deficiencies.<div type="image" title="Indian navy MiG-29 fighter jet aircraft carrier INS Vikrant" height="1331" width="2000" msid="98192322" hostid="261"></div>Like the rest of India's military, the Navy is dependent on Russia for major maintenance and support, including Russian technicians and spare parts, which may soon <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-technology-business-india-europe-8c2974119783b455f68fdcca6a7b474f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">be in much shorter supply</a> given the toll the war in Ukraine <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/07/21/ukraine-russia-arms-business-weapons-exports-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has taken on Russia's defense industry</a>.That reliance is exactly what Atmanirbhar Bharat aims to undo. Although the LCA Navy was rejected, India still has plans for a domestically produced carrier-based fighter. That jet, the Twin-Engine Deck Based Fighter, or TEDBF, is <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/twin-engine-carrier-based-fighter-for-navy-could-be-inducted-by-2031-32/article66124792.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in the early stages</a> of development and is intended to replace India's MiG-29Ks around 2031.India is also looking to acquire 26 new carrier-borne aircraft from another country to use until the TEDBF arrives. The search narrowed to two models: the French-made Dassault Rafale M and the US-made Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet.India's air force already operates the Rafale, leading to <a href="https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/01/india-rafale-m-beat-out-super-hornet-as-the-navys-favorite-for-carrier-operations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> that the Rafale M will edge out the Super Hornet.

A first-of-its-kind fighter jet landing shows India's big ambitions for its growing aircraft carrier fleet

<ul><li>Starring Janhvi Kapoor in the title role, the film is based on the life of <keyword id="286317" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gunjan-Saxena">Gunjan Saxena</keyword>, then a flying officer, who became the first woman combat aviator to fly into a war zone during the 1999 Kargil War.</li><li>Presented by Zee Studios and Johar's Dharma Productions, the film, also featuring Pankaj Tripathi and Viineet Kumar, was earlier slated to be released on April 24.</li><li><keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> on Thursday also unveiled a lineup of 17 original stories, including Bollywood titles "Ludo", "Torbaaz", and Mira Nair's ambitious series adaptation of "A Suitable Boy".</li></ul>Karan Johar's "Gunjan Saxena - <keyword id="8037543" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-kargil-girl">The Kargil Girl</keyword>" is set to start streaming on Netflix from August 12, the makers announced on Thursday. Starring Janhvi Kapoor in the title role, the film is based on the life of Gunjan Saxena, then a flying officer, who became the first woman combat aviator to fly into a war zone during the 1999 Kargil War. Presented by Zee Studios and Johar's Dharma Productions, the film, also featuring Pankaj Tripathi and Viineet Kumar, was earlier slated to be released on April 24. Dharma shared the date announcement on its official Twitter page. "The true story that scripted a historic journey about India's first woman Air Force Officer who went to war! Thrilled to bring to you #GunjanSaxena - The Kargil Girl releasing on 12th August," the tweet read. Janhvi said she is "proud" to bring the story of India's first woman Air Force officer to go to war. "A journey that I hope will inspire you the way that it has inspired me. 'Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl' is landing on 12th August to your #Netflix screens," she wrote on Instagram. Tripathi, who plays Gunjan's father in the film, wrote on Twitter that the film is his "favourite story" which they are looking forward to presenting with a lot of love and pride. "Gunjan Saxena" is directed by Sharan Sharma, who shares writing credits with Nikhil Mehrotra. Hussain Dalal has been credited with additional dialogue writing. Netflix on Thursday also unveiled a lineup of 17 original stories, including Bollywood titles "Ludo", "Torbaaz", and Mira Nair's ambitious series adaptation of "A Suitable Boy". SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/google-picks-up-a-7-7-stake-in-mukesh-ambani-jio-for-33737-crore/articleshow/76977043.cms">Google picks up a 7.7% stake for ₹33,737 crore in Reliance Jio</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jio-glass-akash-ambani-and-isha-ambani-announce-reliances-latest-product-which-offers-holographic-video-calls/articleshow/76977640.cms">Jio Glass – Akash Ambani and Isha Ambani announce Reliance’s latest product which offers holographic video calls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/wipro-share-price-16-increase-leads-to-surge-in-infosys-share-price-too/articleshow/76973619.cms">Wipro share price 16% increase leads to surge in Infosys share price too</a>

Gunjan Saxena-The Kargil Girl to release on Netflix on August 12

Captain Deepak V. Sathe, who was among those killed when the Air India Express plane he was piloting crashed in Kerala's Kozhikode on Friday, was a former <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> officer, who flew the MiG-21 fighter aircraft with 17 Squadron (Golden Arrows) in Ambala. The squadron saw action in the 1999 Kargil war and has been recently resurrected with induction of multi-role Rafale jet fighters, built by France's Dassault. Sathe, who had also served as an instructor at the Air Force Training Academy, had taken premature retirement from the IAF, shifted to civilian flying and joined Air India. In one of the worst air disasters witnessed in Kerala, the Air India Express flight, returning from Dubai under the Vande Bharat mission, skidded off the runaway at the "table top" Kozhikode airport leaving at least 16, of the 190 people on board, dead including the pilots. The plane plunged 35 feet into the valley below, as it landed on its second attempt amid heavy rain on Friday. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Air India Express AXB1344, a B737 aircraft, with 190 people onboard, landed on Runway 10 amid visibility of 2,000 metres in heavy rain, but overshot and nose-dived into the valley and broke into two pieces. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/images-of-the-air-india-express-plane-crash-in-kerala/slidelist/77426706.cms">Devastating images show how Air India express plane crash in Kerala split the flight in two and left 18 dead and over a 100 injured</a>

Captain Deepak Sathe, pilot of the crashed AI Express flight, was a former Air Force officer and a part of the Golden Arrows squad

<ul><li>There were rumours about the film going for a digital release and now the movie officially joins a list of other Bollywood titles, including Amitabh Bachchan-Ayushmann Khurrana starrer "Gulabo Sitabo" and Vidya Balan's "Shakuntala Devi" biopic which are slated to debut on Amazon Prime Video, to directly head to a streamer during the coronavirus pandemic. </li><li>Johar took to Twitter to post a one minute-long clip, chronicling the life of Saxena. </li><li>Presented by Zee Studios and <keyword id="62161" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dharma-Productions">Dharma Productions</keyword>, the film, also featuring Pankaj Tripathi and <keyword id="7652544" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viineet-Kumar">Viineet Kumar</keyword>, was earlier slated to be released on April 24. </li></ul> <keyword id="158887" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Filmmaker-Karan-Johar">Filmmaker Karan Johar</keyword> on Tuesday announced that his upcoming production, "Gunjan Saxena- The Kargil Girl", starring actor Janhvi Kapoor, is all set to bypass a theatrical release and stream directly on Netflix. The film is based on the life of Gunjan Saxena, then a flying officer, who became the first woman combat aviator to fly into a war zone during the 1999 Kargil War. Johar took to Twitter to post a one minute-long clip, chronicling the life of Saxena. "Her inspirational journey made history. This is her story. Gunjan Saxena - #TheKargilGirl, coming soon on Netflix. #GunjanSaxenaOnNetflix," he captioned the video. The release date of the film is yet to be announced. Presented by Zee Studios and Dharma Productions, the film, also featuring Pankaj Tripathi and Viineet Kumar, was earlier slated to be released on April 24. There were rumours about the film going for a digital release and now the movie officially joins a list of other Bollywood titles, including Amitabh Bachchan-Ayushmann Khurrana starrer "Gulabo Sitabo" and Vidya Balan's "Shakuntala Devi" biopic which are slated to debut on Amazon Prime Video, to directly head to a streamer during the coronavirus pandemic. Streaming platform Netflix also took to Twitter to make the announcement quoting a dialogue from the film. "Plane ladka udaye ya ladki, usse pilot hi kehte hain"- <keyword id="8037834" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gunjan-Saxena-The-Kargil-Girl">Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl</keyword>, arriving soon. #GunjanSaxenaOnNetflix," the tweet read. Kapoor, who plays the titular role in the movie, said "Gunjan Saxena" was much more than a film for her. "This isn't just a film for me - it's a journey that's taught me to believe in myself. A journey I can't wait to share with you all. About a girl who set out to do something simple, follow her dreams," she wrote on Instagram. The actor made her Bollywood debut in 2018 with Johar's production "Dhadak", the Hindi remake of Marathi blockbuster "Sairat". "Gunjan Saxena" is directed by Sharan Sharma, who shares writing credits with Nikhil Mehrotra. Hussain Dalal has been credited with additional dialogue writing

Karan Johar's 'Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl' to directly release on Netflix

<ul><li>China is frustrated with India in Ladakh because a journey that used to take 16 to 18 days for the Indian Army to reach the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 1962 takes just a day today.</li><li>President of Ex-Services League Ladakh Region, Retired Subedar Major honorary Captain Sonam Murup while recalling his days in Ladakh Scouts Regiment of the Indian Army, told IANS that Indian defence is no longer what it used to be in 1962. </li></ul> China is frustrated with India in Ladakh because a journey that used to take 16 to 18 days for the Indian Army to reach the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 1962 takes just a day today. President of Ex-Services League Ladakh Region, Retired Subedar Major honorary Captain Sonam Murup while recalling his days in Ladakh Scouts Regiment of the Indian Army, told IANS that Indian defence is no longer what it used to be in 1962. "There were deficiencies during the 1962 war and we lost our land, but now the Indian Army, <keyword id="6354954" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-force">Air Force</keyword> and Navy are now fully trained, armed and equipped. But more than that, now we have roads, bridges and other infrastructure which we did not have earlier," the retired soldier said. Disapproving the "Hindi-Chini bhai bhai" (Indian-Chinese brothers) slogan, which was popular before the 1962 war, Murup said, "We will not say it anymore. Instead, all the soldiers will raise only 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' (Mother India live long) and Ladakhi 'Ki Ki So So Lhargyalo' (Victory to God) slogans and defeat China. This enthusiasm is alive, not only among serving soldiers, but retired servicemen too. Even at the age of 84, our soldiers of Ladakh Scouts have the strength and competence to fight back." Reminiscing about his experiences as a soldier, Murup, who had joined the Army in 1977 and retired in 2009, said that he and others would walk along with porters and ponies, carrying arms, ammunition, rations and other supplies, through the treacherous Shyok river, also known as 'the river of death' for its difficult terrain and furious flow. Shyok is a tributary of the Indus river that flows through northern Ladakh and enters Gilgit-Baltistan, covering over 550 km. "Sometimes, we used to cross even five times during a day. In all, we used to cross the river 118 times. It resulted in scraping off our skin, but we would keep moving on. It would take us 12 to 15 days, even till the 1980s," Murup said. But things have changed today. "The current government made roads and bridges. The Galwan valley bridge got completed in 2019. Now in a day or two, soldiers can reach there comfortably. No need of ponies or horses or porters to carry arms and rations anymore," the ex-serviceman said. At that point, he argued, China was self-assured but now they are worried that there is no weakness in the Indian Army's deployment and infrastructure in the region. "That is why they are expressing their frustration with aggression. We should not trust China at all," the retired soldier of the Ladakh Scouts said. Ladakh Scouts regiment, known as 'Snow Warriors' and 'eyes and ears' of the Indian Army, has five combat battalions in Ladakh. Specialists of mountain warfare, Ladakh Scouts is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army, with over 300 gallantry awards and citations, including Maha Vir Chakras, Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakras. Vice President of Ex-Services League Ladakh Region, Subedar Rigzin Nawang, recalls that General S.S. Grewal had long ago proposed that the Ladakh Scouts should be expanded from five battalions to 20. The Subedar had joined the Army in 1970 and retired in 1999. He participated in the 1971 war and in the 1999 Kargil war too. "There is a huge advantage to that because Ladakh Scouts are native, already acclimatized and can be deployed as and when necessary without any delay caused due to the movement of the troops from the plains of India. Soldiers from other parts of our country need a day or two to acclimatize and sometimes bad weather causes further delay of the troops," Nawang said. It was because of his mountain warfare skills and knowledge, that as a young soldier Nawang had crossed the LoC and entered Pakistan both in 1971 and 1999. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/photographer-of-the-viral-black-panther-images-from-india-shares-his-story/articleshow/76830618.cms">INTERVIEW: Shaaz Jung opens up about the blood, sweat and years behind the viral images of a rare black panther</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/coronavirus-herd-immunity-may-be-unachievable-because-antibodies-disappear-after-a-few-weeks-in-some-people/articleshow/76836165.cms">Coronavirus herd immunity may be 'unachievable' after study suggests antibodies disappear after weeks in some people</a>

It used to take the Indian Army 14 days to reach LAC, now just a day: Ladakh Scouts

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/31391553.cms" />The first tangible use of drones came to the fore in 1998 when Bill Clinton’s government lost precious manpower and money as it was trying to trace <keyword id="44984" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Al-Qaeda">al-Qaeda</keyword> leader <keyword id="41240" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Osama-bin-Laden">Osama bin Laden</keyword>. Three years later, in November 2001, the first assault using armed drones was carried out when the <keyword id="48028" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="US-government">US government</keyword> tracked and killed al-Qaeda <keyword id="208479" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="military-chief">military chief</keyword> <keyword id="2097105" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mohammed-Atef">Mohammed Atef</keyword> in the rocky stretches of <keyword id="6354541" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="afghanistan">Afghanistan</keyword>. 
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India has already stated its intent to get more UAVs as combat weapon distributing vehicles for border areas where road connectivity is a challenge. Interestingly, India accounts for 7% of global arms imports over the past 7 years. 
 With <keyword id="21647" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="naxal">Naxal</keyword>/Maoist insurgency showing no signs of letting up, the government is under huge pressure to deal with Naxal violence, which is threatening to disrupt normal life in quite a few states. As the insurgents mostly operate under the green cover (dense forests) or from other remote areas, drones can send in crucial data related to people movement and alert government agencies. This, in turn, can save lives and resources deployed to remote areas to fight insurgency. 
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 Another valid use for drones will be in rural areas, the food bowl of the country. Drones or UAVs can be greatly helpful in estimating the natural resources or the abuse of the same. For an agrarian economy like India, drones can go a long way in aiding agricultural activities such as sowing seeds on vast tracts of land. They can also help in spraying pesticides that will keep the crop safe from natural predators. Crop <keyword id="35450" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="insurance">insurance</keyword> and crop mapping are major areas where drones can be integrated into the farming system for the benefit of farmers. 
 
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 Although India is keen to <keyword id="382268" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="leverage">leverage</keyword> the cloud sowing technology, cost factors are hindering our progress. But drones can be deployed now for cloud sowing and also for crop monitoring, thus contributing to the overall food security system of the country. 
 
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This way, both rural and urban India will equally benefit from a technology, without robbing each other of the advantages. After all, steps to check immigration can only start with equal distribution of resources.

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