&w=3840&q=100)
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff
In a distinguished career spanning close to four decades, the Air Marshal has held a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments, and has been conferred with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, an accomplished fighter pilot with over 3,300 hours of flying experience on over 20 types of aircraft, on Thursday assumed charge as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, considered to be a key position at the headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff.
He succeeds Lt Gen JP Mathew who superannuated on Wednesday.
#WATCH | Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who takes over as the new CISC, accorded a ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour at the South Block lawns in Delhi pic.twitter.com/UIpp2QZrSZ
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025
In a distinguished career spanning close to four decades, the Air Marshal has held a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments, and has been conferred with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal for his services.
Prior to taking over as CISC, Air Marshal Dixit was serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. He focused on enhancing operational readiness and fostering coordination with other services in Uttar Bharat and central region.
The Air Marshal was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986.
He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; Defence Services Staff College (Bangladesh) and National Defence College, New Delhi.
He is a qualified flying instructor and experimental test pilot with over 3,300 hours of flying experience on over 20 types of aircraft, including Mirage-2000, MiG-21 and Jaguar.
Air Marshal Dixit also commanded a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector where his leadership led to the base being adjudged the best in the command, according to the defence ministry.
As a test pilot and later Commanding Officer of the Flight Test Squadron at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Bengaluru, he was involved in several indigenous upgrades and development programmes including the avionics upgrades for Jaguar and MiG-27.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
"No mediation": Karnataka Film Chamber demands apology; Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' release hits snag
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 3 (ANI): The ongoing controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan's movie 'Thug Life' has taken a new turn, with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) reaffirming its demand for an apology from the actor. The dispute revolves around Haasan's controversial remarks at the audio launch of the film in Chennai, where he suggested that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil.' After a meeting with film industry representatives, KFCC President M Narasimhalu emphasised the chamber's firm stance on the issue, stating that the actor's comments have angered both the government and pro-Kannada organisations. He insisted that Haasan must apologise to the people of Karnataka for his remarks before any further discussion could take place. 'He has spoken about our language, and the government, pro-Kannada organisations, everyone is angry. He should apologise. Let him come and discuss,' Narasimhalu said. He further added that the KFCC was not prepared to make any decisions or offer mediation without an apology from Haasan. He said that the KFCC's stance is clear: no mediation or resolution can take place without Haasan acknowledging the hurt caused by his statement. 'We want an apology from Kamal Haasan. There are rules, and this concerns four states,' Narasimhalu said. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has adjourned the hearing of the petition concerning the release of 'Thug Life' to June 10, 2025. The court had previously intervened after the KFCC decided to block the film's release in the state due to the controversy surrounding Haasan's comments. The film's producers filed the petition seeking a court order to allow the release of 'Thug Life' as scheduled on June 5, 2025. The court noted that Haasan's letter to the KFCC in response to their demand did not include the word 'apology,' further complicating the matter. The court has provided time for dialogue between the petitioners and the KFCC, allowing the producers to engage with the film body in an attempt to resolve the issue. In the interim, the producers have agreed not to release the movie in Karnataka until the matter is settled. In an attempt to quell the rising tensions, Kamal Haasan addressed the KFCC in a heartfelt letter. He clarified that his remarks, made at the Thug Life audio launch, were misunderstood and taken out of context. Haasan explained that his words were spoken out of 'genuine affection' for Dr. Rajkumar's family and were intended to convey unity, not to belittle Kannada. 'It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch--spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar--has been misunderstood and taken out of context,' Haasan wrote. He emphasised his respect for the Kannada language, and said, 'Like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition that I have long admired. My love for the language is genuine, and I have great respect for the love that Kannadigas have for their mother tongue.' Haasan also reiterated his support for all Indian languages, including Kannada, and urged that his statement be viewed in the spirit of unity and respect for the people of Karnataka. He expressed regret for the embarrassment caused to Shiva Rajkumar, who had attended the event, and emphasised that his intention was never to divide communities but to strengthen bonds through cinema. As the legal battle continues, Kamal Haasan remains hopeful that the controversy will be resolved amicably and that 'Thug Life' will be able to release as planned in Karnataka. He expressed confidence that the situation would ultimately strengthen his relationship with the people of the state. 'Cinema must remain a bridge between people--never a wall that divides them. This was the intent of my statement,' Haasan said. He added, 'I have never been nor would ever want to give any room for public unrest and animosity.' (ANI)


India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
"High level of success": Salman Khurshid on positive outcomes of all-party delegation
Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], June 3 (ANI): Congress leader Salman Khurshid, part of the all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, on Tuesday concluded its multi-nation visit to several countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore. The delegation aimed to build international consensus against terrorism and showcase India's efforts to combat the menace. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Salman Khurshid emphasised that there is widespread consensus among the visited countries on the issue of terrorism. Khurshid noted that while the countries agree on the need to combat terrorism, the next steps depend on Pakistan's response to India's concerns. 'We have had a high level of success. Most certainly, our point of view was conveyed and heard very seriously. There is widespread consensus on the issue of terrorism. The problems for everyone are that when they have to talk about the next steps that have to be taken. Now, the next steps, we haven't taken ourselves because they are in the depends a lot on what responses we get from communicated one way or happens to all these only the future can tell. We have laid out some red lines. We have said that there cannot be terrorism and talk simultaneously,' he said. Khurshid clarified that Operation Sindoor has been suspended, not terminated, and can be reactivated if necessary. 'Therefore, it can be activated again if there is a need to do. That is the only statement that has come about the future steps. We need to wait for future steps. I hope we have laid the grounds for whatever needs to be done in times to come,' Khurshid said. On being asked about the criticism for supporting the Centre, Salman Khurshid highlighted the importance of a unified approach in combating terrorism, stating that despite differences in political opinions, the delegation spoke with one voice on the issue. He emphasized that the country's interests are paramount, and the delegation's efforts were focused on defending India against terrorism. 'We are here because our political parties have stamped the approval and decided to send us we come her, we have to speak a single can't say there is zero agreement between opposition and government because in defending the country, in organising the country against terrorism, there is no difference of opinion. If there are differences of opinion, which are voiced and should be voiced within the Indian system...I hope the government also understands this, each one of us has to get back to our respective political parties and we will have to do what our political parties have to do. This is an area where there is convergence, it is country first and country that matters, that is the attitude of everybody,' the Congress leader said. Further, on being asked whether the countries will support India after the delegation visit, Khurshid expressed confidence that the delegation's presentations would have a positive impact on the countries' participation in multilateral forums, particularly in supporting India's stance on terrorism. 'You can't just assume that it will happen. But I can say with complete certainty that our presentations were very laborious. Our presentations will certainly impact the manner in which they participate in the multilateral forum in the future. It is clear from their reaction that these are additional inputs that would be very helpful to them,' he said. The Indian delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi; TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas; and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, among others concluded their multi nation visit on Tuesday. The delegation's tour includes stops in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, underscoring India's commitment to regional peace, security, and development. (ANI)


India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
Karnataka HC adjourns Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' release to June 10
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 3 (ANI): The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday adjourned the release of Kamal Haasan's movie 'Thug Life' to June 10, 2025. The court was hearing a petition concerning the release of 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. The court noted that the letter from Haasan to the KFCC, in response to their demand for an apology, did not contain the word 'apology.' The petition, filed by the film's producers, seeks the court's intervention to prevent authorities, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), from taking any actions that would hinder or block the film's release or screening in the state. The petitioner, who is associated with the movie, has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the KFCC to resolve the issue. The court has adjourned the hearing to June 10, 2025, allowing time for dialogue between the petitioner and the KFCC. The petitioner has agreed not to screen the movie in Karnataka until the matter is resolved. The controversy surrounding 'Thug Life' intensified after the KFCC issued a directive to ban the film's release in Karnataka. It stated that it will not allow the movie's release due to Haasan's alleged remarks. This decision followed remarks made by Kamal Haasan at the audio launch of the film in Chennai, where he said that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil.' The statement sparked widespread backlash, particularly from Kannada activists and organisations, who accused Haasan of belittling the Kannada language. In response to the growing tension, Kamal Haasan addressed the KFCC in a letter, clarifying that his comments were misconstrued. He explained that his words, spoken with 'genuine affection' for the legendary Dr Rajkumar's family, were meant to express unity rather than diminish the value of Kannada. Haasan expressed his admiration for the Kannada language and its rich cultural legacy, emphasising that he holds 'deep respect' for the people of Karnataka. In his letter, Haasan wrote, 'I acknowledge your letter dated 30/05/2025. Out of deep respect for the people of Karnataka, I offer the following with sincerity. It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch, spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar, has been misunderstood and taken out of context.' He reiterated his commitment to all Indian languages, particularly Kannada, and said, 'Like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition that I have long admired. My love for the language is genuine, and I have great respect for the love that Kannadigas have for their mother tongue.' Haasan further explained that his bond with all South Indian languages, including Kannada, is 'abiding and heartfelt' and that he has always advocated for the equal dignity of all languages. He made it clear that he does not intend to foster division through language and expressed regret for the embarrassment caused to Shiva Rajkumar, who had attended the film's audio launch. As the situation escalated, the matter reached the Karnataka High Court, which began hearing petitions filed by the producers of 'Thug Life'. The petition seeks an injunction preventing the KFCC and other authorities from taking any actions that would obstruct the film's scheduled release in Karnataka on June 5, 2025. The court has adjourned the proceedings and is expected to announce its decision soon, with a final hearing scheduled for June 10, 2025. Kamal Haasan concluded his letter with a passionate statement on the power of cinema to unite people across language and cultural divides. 'Cinema must remain a bridge between people--never a wall that divides them. This was the intent of my statement, and I have never been nor would ever want to give any room for public unrest and animosity,' he said. He emphasised that his primary goal had always been to foster love and unity through cinema, and he hoped the misunderstanding would be seen in the context of his enduring respect for Karnataka and its people. Haasan also expressed confidence that the controversy would be short-lived and that it would ultimately serve to strengthen the bond between him and the people of Karnataka. (ANI)