News for 'Wing Commander S K Sharma'

15 Things You Must Know About Rakesh Sharma

15 Things You Must Know About Rakesh Sharma

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to travel to space in 1984. Here's what you should know about the national icon.

Senior Maoist Leader Papa Rao to Surrender, Marking Progress in Chhattisgarh's Anti-Naxal Campaign

Senior Maoist Leader Papa Rao to Surrender, Marking Progress in Chhattisgarh's Anti-Naxal Campaign

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announces the impending surrender of senior Maoist commander Papa Rao and his team, a significant step towards eradicating Naxalism in the state.

Key Maoist Leader Surrenders, Marking Progress in Chhattisgarh's Anti-Insurgency Efforts

Key Maoist Leader Surrenders, Marking Progress in Chhattisgarh's Anti-Insurgency Efforts

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

A senior Maoist commander, Papa Rao, surrendered with his team in Chhattisgarh, signalling a significant blow to Left-Wing Extremism in the region. This event underscores the impact of sustained security pressure and rehabilitation efforts on the Maoist movement.

Tejas crash: IAF pilot's village mourns a life lost too soon

Tejas crash: IAF pilot's village mourns a life lost too soon

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

Namansh is survived by his father, mother, wife, who is also serving in the Air Force, and their six-year-old daughter.

108 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh; huge cache of arms, cash recovered

108 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh; huge cache of arms, cash recovered

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

108 Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, yielding a large cache of weapons and cash. The surrender highlights the government's success in combating Left Wing Extremism and the weakening of Maoist ideology.

Mass Surrender: 108 Maoists Give Up Arms in Chhattisgarh

Mass Surrender: 108 Maoists Give Up Arms in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

In a significant victory for the government's anti-Naxal efforts, 108 Maoists, including 44 women, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, citing disillusionment and the appeal of rehabilitation programs. The surrender also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons and valuables.

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The 'rescue' operation occurred within kilometres of Iran's underground tunnel complex at Isfahan, assessed by the IAEA and US intelligence as holding a substantial portion of the country's 60 per cent enriched uranium stockpile. Retired senior US military officers have highlighted that the mission's footprint -- hundreds of special operators, multiple heavy-lift aircraft deep inside Iran -- appears outsized for recovering a single airman. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

40 Years Since Rakesh Sharma's Space Flight

40 Years Since Rakesh Sharma's Space Flight

Rediff.com4 Apr 2024

The Russian embassy marked the 40th anniversary of the first space flight by an Indian, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, with an exhibition at the Russian Cultural Centre in New Delhi.

Astronaut Shukla Taking Gajar Halwa To Space

Astronaut Shukla Taking Gajar Halwa To Space

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

'I carry the hopes and dreams of over a billion hearts.'

Gaganyaan astronauts trained at Rakesh Sharma's Russian center

Gaganyaan astronauts trained at Rakesh Sharma's Russian center

Rediff.com27 Feb 2024

Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to go into space in 1984.

Officers who planned, executed Operation Sindoor awarded

Officers who planned, executed Operation Sindoor awarded

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

India recognised acts of gallantry by armed forces personnel and senior military officers involved in Operation Sindoor, along with other distinguished service awards, on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

Will Nitin Nabin Really Be Modi's 'Boss'?

Will Nitin Nabin Really Be Modi's 'Boss'?

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Given Modi's track record from the time he became Gujarat chief minister in October 2001, it is highly improbable that Nabin will get opportunities to display his individual capacity. Even the team of organisational leaders that he will 'appoint' in a few weeks or months, will unlikely to be his choice, predicts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Shubhanshu Shukla Is All Set For Space

Shubhanshu Shukla Is All Set For Space

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Shukla says Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma -- the first Indian to travel to space --has been advising him about the space flight.

'This planet belongs to everyone, it isn't a sole preserve'

'This planet belongs to everyone, it isn't a sole preserve'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

'As humans, we haven't changed much'

MP minister refers to Col Quershi as 'sister of terrorists', apologises

MP minister refers to Col Quershi as 'sister of terrorists', apologises

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Madhya Pradesh Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Shah has sparked a major controversy with objectionable comments that appeared to be directed at Colonel Sofia Qureshi, whom he tried to project as a 'sister of terrorists'.

177 security personnel die by suicide since 2019 in Chhattisgarh: Govt

177 security personnel die by suicide since 2019 in Chhattisgarh: Govt

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The Chhattisgarh assembly was informed that 177 security and police personnel, including those from paramilitary forces, have committed suicide in the state in the last six-and-a-half years. Family, personal issues, and health problems are cited as reasons.

Yuvraj's Special Message for Abhishek

Yuvraj's Special Message for Abhishek

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Abhishek Sharma's record-breaking 135 off just 54 balls against England in the fifth T20I at Wankhede Stadium was a performance for the ages.

A morning with the first Indian in space

A morning with the first Indian in space

Rediff.com4 Aug 2017

The remarkable story of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, will be seen in a film featuring Aamir Khan.

India's first man in space won't be lonely anymore

India's first man in space won't be lonely anymore

Rediff.com5 Oct 2018

Thirty-four years after he traveled to space, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih that he looks forward to Gaganyan, India's first manned space mission in 2022.

Rajasthan family names newborn after IAF pilot Abhinandan

Rajasthan family names newborn after IAF pilot Abhinandan

Rediff.com2 Mar 2019

By naming my son as Abhinandan, we will keep him reminding about the valour of the pilot and I would like him to become a brave soldier like him when he grows up," Sapna Devi, mother of the newborn, said.

CBI names ex-defence secretary SK Sharma, 4 IAF officers in AgustaWestland charge sheet

CBI names ex-defence secretary SK Sharma, 4 IAF officers in AgustaWestland charge sheet

Rediff.com16 Mar 2022

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a supplementary charge sheet in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland scam against former defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma and four Indian Air Force personnel, officials said Wednesday.

Meet Gopi Thotakura, India's 1st space tourist

Meet Gopi Thotakura, India's 1st space tourist

Rediff.com13 Apr 2024

Thotakura was selected as one of the six crew members for the mission, making him the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Army's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

I-Day first: IAF choppers shower petals after PM's flag-hoisting

I-Day first: IAF choppers shower petals after PM's flag-hoisting

Rediff.com15 Aug 2021

While the first chopper was controlled by Wing Commander Baldev Singh Bisht, the second was commanded by Wing Commander Nikhil Mehrotra.

Gopi Thotakura becomes first Indian space tourist on Blue Origin

Gopi Thotakura becomes first Indian space tourist on Blue Origin

Rediff.com19 May 2024

Thotakura was selected as one of the six crew members for the NS-25 mission, making him the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Army's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

Rafale to feature in R-Day parade for first time

Rafale to feature in R-Day parade for first time

Rediff.com18 Jan 2021

The newly-inducted aircraft will carry out the 'Vertical Charlie' formation.

How Mi-8 helped India's Operation Cactus

How Mi-8 helped India's Operation Cactus

Rediff.com3 Nov 2020

We salute the Mi-8 today on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Operation Cactus. Through its glorious service career, the Mi-8 left an indelible mark on the future by providing the IAF with a lineage of professional helicopter aircrew, says Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

A Day That Ustad Zakir Hussain Gifted Me

A Day That Ustad Zakir Hussain Gifted Me

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

The eulogies will pour for Ustad Zakir Hussain. There will be those who recount his genius, his enterprise, his achievements, his grace, and his charm. I have no selfies or autographs to remember him by, but I will never forget his most generous and gracious gift to me -- one day in heaven, among the celestial ensemble of Indian music.

When It Was Bradman Versus India

When It Was Bradman Versus India

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

History has not seen a cricketing rivalry as fierce as this this century, every ball bowled every run taken, coming with no quarter given. Ahead of India's five Test tour of Australia, Norma Astrid Godinho/Rediff.com takes a walk down memory lane, recounting India's sojourns Down Under from 1947 to 2021, in a 4-part series.

CBI court grants bail to 4 ex-IAF officers in AgustaWestland case

CBI court grants bail to 4 ex-IAF officers in AgustaWestland case

Rediff.com31 Jul 2022

A special court on Saturday granted bail to four former Indian Air Force (IAF) officers in the AgustaWestland chopper deal corruption case after they appeared before it following summons issued on the last date of hearing.

School's Final Goodbye To Warrior Student

School's Final Goodbye To Warrior Student

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Flight Lieutenant Adivitiya Bal was killed in the line of duty along with Wing Commander Mohit Rana in last week's MiG-21 crash in Barmer. His school in Nagrota, Jammu, gave a final salute to a worthy ex-student.

When Rakesh Sharma found himself in a different kind of space

When Rakesh Sharma found himself in a different kind of space

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

Though this time India's first astronaut remained earth bound, P Rajendran/Rediff.com finds out more about his journey off the beaten track along America's East Coast.

IAF chief flies SU-30 MKI to restore pilots' confidence

IAF chief flies SU-30 MKI to restore pilots' confidence

Rediff.com21 Dec 2011

The Air Chief Marshal took off from Lohegaon air base and was accompanied by Wing Commander Anurag Sharma, Commanding Officer of the SU-30 MKI squadron, based in Pune.

Collective success of every Indian, says Congress with nod to its govts role

Collective success of every Indian, says Congress with nod to its govts role

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

After Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the Moon, the Congress on Wednesday said it is a collective success of every Indian and ISRO's achievement reflects a saga of continuity and is truly fantastic.

3,300 CISF jawans to replace CRPF in Parliament security starting Monday

3,300 CISF jawans to replace CRPF in Parliament security starting Monday

Rediff.com19 May 2024

The parliament duty group of the CRPF wound up its entire administrative and operational paraphernalia -- vehicles, weapons and commandos -- from the complex on Friday and its commander, a deputy inspector general-rank officer, handed over all the security points in the complex to the incoming CISF group, the sources said.

IAF rescues 14 trapped in flash floods in Jammu

IAF rescues 14 trapped in flash floods in Jammu

Rediff.com5 Sep 2014

The Indian Air Force on Friday pressed its choppers into service and rescued 14 people caught in flash-floods in Jammu district.

Why this ISRO scientist has not visited his Manipur home for over 2 years

Why this ISRO scientist has not visited his Manipur home for over 2 years

Rediff.com25 Aug 2023

Meet Indian Space Research Organisation scientist Ningthoujam Raghu Singh, who was one of the bright sparks responsible for sending Chandrayaan-3 to the moon.

IAF chopper crashes in Bangalore, 1 killed

IAF chopper crashes in Bangalore, 1 killed

Rediff.com2 Feb 2007

Co-pilot Squadron Leader Priye Sharma (32) died when the Dhruv advanced light helicopter crashed near a runway.