News for 'Retd'

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'In multi-pilot operations, no critical switch can be moved without the other pilot's consent.'

Ex-CJI Khehar, dancer Shobana among 68 conferred Padma awards

Ex-CJI Khehar, dancer Shobana among 68 conferred Padma awards

Rediff.com27 May 2025

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the coveted Padma awards on 68 eminent personalities, including former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag, and Vice Chancellor of King George's Medical University Soniya Nityanand. The awards were given in various disciplines and fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service. The Padma Vibhushan was awarded to Justice (retd) Khehar for public affairs, while nine individuals received the Padma Bhushan. The Padma Shri was awarded to leading immunologist and KGMU VC Nityanand, footballer Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, singer Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, actor Ashok Laxman Saraf, mask maker Reba Kanta Mahanta, and musician Ricky Gyan Kej, among others.

Mere suspicion not proof: Court in Malegaon verdict

Mere suspicion not proof: Court in Malegaon verdict

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

A special court acquitted seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, citing a lack of cogent and reliable evidence. The court emphasized that mere suspicion cannot replace real proof and highlighted loopholes in the prosecution's case.

17 yrs after Malegaon blast, NIA court acquits all 7 accused

17 yrs after Malegaon blast, NIA court acquits all 7 accused

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Nearly 17 years after a blast in Malegaon town of north Maharashtra claimed six lives, a special court in Mumbai on Thursday acquitted all the seven accused, including former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, noting there was 'no reliable and cogent evidence' against them.

Pilot Error Or System Failure? What Black Box Reveals

Pilot Error Or System Failure? What Black Box Reveals

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

'The goal is a 360-degree reconstruction of the flight's final minutes to ensure nothing is overlooked.'

National Security Advisory Board revamped: Ex-R&AW chief appointed head

National Security Advisory Board revamped: Ex-R&AW chief appointed head

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The NSAB is an advisory body that provides inputs to the National Security Council Secretariat.

'Such Crashes Are One-In-A-Million'

'Such Crashes Are One-In-A-Million'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

'A Mayday at 600-800 feet followed by descent to 450 feet suggests the pilot still had control.'

AI 171 Crash: What CVR, FDR May Reveal

AI 171 Crash: What CVR, FDR May Reveal

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

How cockpit voices and flight data unravel what happened during an air crash.

CDS reveals how India thwarted Pak drone attack

CDS reveals how India thwarted Pak drone attack

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan emphasizes the importance of self-reliance in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) for India, citing recent global conflicts and Operation Sindoor as examples of their strategic importance.

Salute! India's First Ethnic Gorkha General

Salute! India's First Ethnic Gorkha General

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung deserves to be complimented in telling his life story and that of his people, as subaltern communities within this vast and diverse nation of ours clamour for recognition and a plea for their voices to be heard and their aspirations to be met, notes Lieutenant General Gautam Moorthy.

Ex-prez Hamid, facing murder probe, returns to B'desh after treatment

Ex-prez Hamid, facing murder probe, returns to B'desh after treatment

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

The 81-year-old ex-president returned from Thailand a month after his "secret departure" sparked protests in Bangladesh for being allowed to leave despite being accused of murder.

'Pilots Must Have Tried Everything In 50 Seconds'

'Pilots Must Have Tried Everything In 50 Seconds'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

'In 50 seconds, the pilots were fighting drag, trying relight, throttling up and avoiding obstacles.' 'They had neither height nor speed. There was no margin.'

'Justice Sinha never regretted decision disqualifying Indira'

'Justice Sinha never regretted decision disqualifying Indira'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

'He must have been aware of the consequences, that too against Mrs Indira Gandhi, who at that point in time was all powerful. The easiest way out would have been to dismiss the petition, but he didn't do that'

More drama in I-League

More drama in I-League

Rediff.com28 May 2025

Delhi FC, SC Bengaluru I-League relegation on hold

'It Must Have Been Hellish In The Cockpit'

'It Must Have Been Hellish In The Cockpit'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'Visualise those 15 to 18 seconds: Fully loaded aircraft, pilot manually controlling with both hands (no autopilot immediately after takeoff), looking forward while switches are behind.'

India And Pakistan Enter A Dangerous Era

India And Pakistan Enter A Dangerous Era

Rediff.com15 May 2025

'India for its survival has to change its doctrine from no first use to a pre-emptive attack in case of any hostile move by Pakistan,' recommends Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

The 17 Girls India Will Never Forget

The 17 Girls India Will Never Forget

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Barely out of their teens, the first batch of girls will graduate alongside 300 male cadets from the National Defence Academy.

Kanimozhi's Mission Possible In Russia

Kanimozhi's Mission Possible In Russia

Rediff.com27 May 2025

The Kanimozhi Karunanidhi-led delegation is visiting five European nations to garner support for India's campaign against cross-border terrorism.

Army ex-chief blames intelligence failure for Pahalgam attack

Army ex-chief blames intelligence failure for Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

Former Indian Army chief General Shankar Roychowdhury (Retd) has blamed "intelligence failure" for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. He demanded accountability at the highest levels, stating that there must be someone responsible for the negligence and they must be held accountable for the consequences.

Drones Are What India Needs For Future Wars

Drones Are What India Needs For Future Wars

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

The foremost lesson for India today is to beef up its air defence to cater for multiple drone attacks. As seen in Operation Sindoor, we have come a long way, but there's room for getting better. We must develop a robust and almost impregnable air cover over ourselves, asserts IAF veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Pahalgam attack: India likely to scrap Bangladesh tour

Pahalgam attack: India likely to scrap Bangladesh tour

Rediff.com2 May 2025

'If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy seven states of North-East India.'

Congress Reveals 6 Surgical Strikes Against Pakistan

Congress Reveals 6 Surgical Strikes Against Pakistan

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The revelation may have come late in the century but the Congress disclosed on Thursday, May 29, 2025, that the Indian Army conducted six surgical strikes against Pakistan during UPA-2, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government's second term in power.

'Rein In Terrorism Or Face India's Military Strikes'

'Rein In Terrorism Or Face India's Military Strikes'

Rediff.com29 May 2025

'With a military-led strategy to counter terrorism emanating from Pakistan, India has clearly signalled that it would respond decisively to future terrorist threats.'

Iran shutting Hormuz Strait will impact Indian economy: Experts

Iran shutting Hormuz Strait will impact Indian economy: Experts

Rediff.com22 Jun 2025

The Israel-Iran conflict has entered a 'decisive phase' after the United States bombed three major Iranian nuclear sites Sunday morning, feel strategic affairs experts with some of them arguing it was Washington, DC's 'responsibility' to not get involved in the military standoff.

Train to Valley: Political unity greets Kashmir rail launch

Train to Valley: Political unity greets Kashmir rail launch

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Political parties, cutting across affiliations and ideologies, Friday welcomed the Kashmir rail link inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hoping for a boost in trade and tourism in the valley.

If India attacks Pak, B'desh should occupy NE states: Yunus' aide

If India attacks Pak, B'desh should occupy NE states: Yunus' aide

Rediff.com2 May 2025

A former Bangladesh army officer and close aide of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has suggested that Dhaka should collaborate with China to occupy India's northeastern states if it attacks Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Bangladesh's interim government has distanced itself from the remarks made by Major General (Retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman on his social media account. Rahman's comments come amidst growing tensions between India and Bangladesh following Yunus' remarks in China about India's northeastern states being landlocked and needing Bangladesh's access to the ocean. These incidents have further strained relations between the two countries, with India withdrawing transhipment facilities granted to Bangladesh for exporting goods to the Middle East, Europe, and various other countries.

Lodha brothers resolve dispute over use of brand

Lodha brothers resolve dispute over use of brand

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Macrotech Developers will continue to use the 'Lodha' brand while the younger brother will continue to operate under 'House of Abhinandan Lodha' brand, as per the agreements between the two brothers under the guidance of their parents.

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

>The Indian Army still uses old British-era names and recruits soldiers based on caste or region, which hurts national unity, argues Colonel K Thammayya Udupa (retd).

Why Pakistan Was Desperate For Ceasefire

Why Pakistan Was Desperate For Ceasefire

Rediff.com29 May 2025

'The devastating Indian Air Force strikes on the night of May 9-10 exposed Pakistan's vulnerabilities.' 'If these had continued, it would have further degraded Pakistan's ability to continue with air operations.'

Match-fixing scandal rocks Mumbai T20 league

Match-fixing scandal rocks Mumbai T20 league

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

The BCCI Ombudsman has banned Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah, former co-owner of a Mumbai T20 League franchise, for making a corrupt approach to city players Dhawal Kulkarni and Bhavin Thakkar during the 2019 edition of the event. The ban, which could be anything between five years to a life ban, was imposed based on a report from the BCCI's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU). The order states that Bhamrah, through an intermediary, offered money and other benefits to Thakkar in exchange for underperforming in matches.

Pahalgam attack: Cong alleges intelligence failure, blames Amit Shah

Pahalgam attack: Cong alleges intelligence failure, blames Amit Shah

Rediff.com21 May 2025

The Congress leaders maintained that Indian defence forces had attained complete superiority and dominance over Pakistan before the sudden "ceasefire" was announced by US President Donald Trump.

Former HC judge acquitted in 'cash at door' case 17 yrs later

Former HC judge acquitted in 'cash at door' case 17 yrs later

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

Seventeen years after the cash-at-judge's door case rocked the judiciary, a special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Chandigarh on Saturday acquitted former Punjab and Haryana high court judge Nirmal Yadav and four others in the matter.

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The parents of Squadron Leader Abhimanyu Rai, an IAF pilot who died in a trainer jet crash in December 2023, have expressed their anguish over being ignored for entitlements and honours that were given to their daughter-in-law. They believe the government policy should be revised to include parents of martyred soldiers. Group Captain Amitabh Rai (retd) and his wife Chitralekha, the bereaved parents, say they have received no condolences from the government despite losing their only son. They argue that the current policy unfairly favors the martyr's wife, often leading to neglect of the parents. The Rais claim their son's death is not being recognized as a "battle casualty" and therefore he is not being treated as a martyr. They also raise concerns about the pressure on IAF trainers to complete training programs successfully, even when cadets are not prepared, potentially endangering both the trainer and the cadet.

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League officially banned in B'desh

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League officially banned in B'desh

Rediff.com13 May 2025

The Awami League leaders were charged with committing crimes against humanity over the deaths of hundreds of people during last year's anti-government protests by a student platform. The protests resulted in the ouster of Hasina's 16-year-long regime on August 5.

Gazwa E Hind can only be countered with Gazwa E Pakistan

Gazwa E Hind can only be countered with Gazwa E Pakistan

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

It is time we buried the mantra of 'peaceful and stable Pakistan is in our interest'. It is not, simply because Pakistan's existence -- that is synonymous with its army -- means peace has no chance, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd). It is time we buried the mantra of 'peaceful and stable Pakistan is in our interest' asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).

'BJP Will Come To Power In Kerala In 2026'

'BJP Will Come To Power In Kerala In 2026'

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

'In today's political spectrum, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party that always says, nation first.'

Liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda

Liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

Terrorism and insurgency in J&K had subsided when India demolished East Pakistan -- for the simple reason that Pakistan understands power. We need to follow Chanakya's dictum of Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed for strategising against Pakistan, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd). The ground truth is that unless we are prepared to acknowledge our shortcomings, including massive intelligence failures, punish those responsible and take corrective actions, we will continue in the same vein, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd).

Golden Opportunity For Modi To Reverse Brain Drain

Golden Opportunity For Modi To Reverse Brain Drain

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

President Trump with his MAWA has unwittingly provided us this opportunity. Will PM Modi grasp this and leave a legacy of an ushered in scientific and technological revolution in India, asks Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

Rediff.com23 May 2025

'The precision strikes were well planned and excellently executed. The world will be studying this operation.'

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

The US move to align with Russia is prompted by fear of a Sino-Russian joint threat. Russia, fully aware of its military vulnerability vis a vis China may cautiously welcome the American move, assesses Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).