Operation Abhyas: Gurugram carries out drill to test air raid preparedness
Gurugram: A large-scale civil defence drill was conducted across Gurugram on Wednesday, to raise public awareness and test emergency preparedness in case of an air raid. At exactly 4pm, a siren echoed through the city, signalling the start of the exercise. People across five key locations—Ambience Mall, Sector 4/7 Government School, Salwan Public School in Sector 15 Part 2, Hero MotoCorp at Hero Honda Chowk, and the Power Grid in Garhi Bajidpur— responded to the simulated alert with coordinated efforts. Firefighters, police personnel and NCC cadets during Operation Abhyas in Salwan Public School at Sector 15 Part 2 near Civil Lines police station in Gurugram on Wednesday. (HT PHOTO)
Gurugram deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar, who led the initiative, monitored the entire drill from a central control room set up at the Mini Secretariat. The Tau Devi Lal Stadium served as the command staging area, from where five task forces led by senior officers were deployed. Each team carried out rescue operations, coordinated with police, civil defence, and fire services and simulated real-time evacuation and medical aid. At many sites, civilians trapped on upper floors were successfully rescued using mock emergency protocols.
Kumar said that the exercise, conducted under the Ministry of Home Affairs' nationwide civil defence directive, aimed to test and strengthen Gurugram's emergency response system. 'This drill teaches citizens how to act swiftly and responsibly during an air raid. Knowing where to shelter, how to blackout a home, and how to assist others can save lives,' he said.
A scheduled blackout from 7.50pm to 8pm was also observed across urban and rural Gurugram. Residents actively participated, turning off lights and cooperating with officials, signalling strong community support. Civil defence teams, Red Cross volunteers, SDRF, and multiple departments jointly executed the drill, overseen by Gurugram Police commissioner Vikas Arora and senior administrative officers.
Officials reiterated that the drill was not only a test of infrastructure but also a means to mentally and physically prepare citizens for real emergencies. The DC urged the public to report any suspicious activities and reminded them that the state government has officially implemented the Incident Response System (IRS) under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to streamline emergency protocols.
The evening concluded with a review meeting at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, where task force leaders briefed the DC and the police chief on the drill's outcomes, successes, and areas of improvement.
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Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
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Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills How did this case start? July 7, 2014: A Delhi based person married a lady who is employed as a stenographer in court. The marriage between them happened following all Hindu rites and ceremonies. From this marriage two children, a son and a daughter, were born in 2015 and 2019 respectively. A Delhi based person married a lady who is employed as a stenographer in court. The marriage between them happened following all Hindu rites and ceremonies. From this marriage two children, a son and a daughter, were born in 2015 and 2019 respectively. June 2021: She left her husband and has been living separately since then. She left her husband and has been living separately since then. April 2022: She filed a complaint under Section 12 and Section 23 of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 against her husband and his family members. Section 23 is used when a spouse who is not divorced yet and seeks payment of interim maintenance money. She filed a complaint under Section 12 and Section 23 of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 against her husband and his family members. Section 23 is used when a spouse who is not divorced yet and seeks payment of interim maintenance money. August 17, 2023: The lower court refused to grant any maintenance money to the wife but ordered the husband to pay Rs 50,000 per month in favour of both their children's maintenance. Delhi High Court refers to this Supreme Court judgement which said usually fathers have to bear expenses of children unless the mother is earning sufficiently The Supreme Court has held that monetary relief under Section 20(2) of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, granted in favour of the aggrieved woman or the children, must be adequate, fair and reasonable. It was also held that the living expenses of a child must include not just food, clothing, residence, medical and educational costs, but also reasonable expenses for extra-curricular or coaching classes; and that ordinarily, the father should bear the educational expenses of the children, unless the mother is earning sufficiently, in which case the costs may be shared proportionately. In the present case, a significant aspect that merits attention is that the respondent (Wife), who is admittedly employed in the District Court—a role that demands punctuality, mental acuity, and undivided focus—has been consistently balancing her professional responsibilities with the demands of her personal life. While it was contended by her counsel that she faces multifaceted challenges as a "single parent," this Court is of the view that such terminology requires a nuanced understanding. A custodial parent, though performing parental responsibilities independently, does not live a solitary existence; rather, he or she forms a familial unit with the children in their care. The presence of children, and the responsibilities that accompany their upbringing, confer upon such an individual the character of a family, not of a person leading a singular or isolated life The maintenance is not meant to belittle the non-custodial parent, nor is it a measure of punishment. Similarly, the custodial parent should not be viewed as someone seeking charity or alms. Maintenance is not a favour; it is a recognition of shared parental responsibility, and of the child's right to be supported. This Court is equally cognizant of the fact that maintenance must not result in unfair financial burden on the father, especially when the wife is earning and has been awarded no separate maintenance for herself. Delhi High Court answers why wife is not required to pay equal share of maintenance for their children To deal with the argument that the respondent (wife) herein is working and is thus financially and otherwise capable and empowered to not only take care of the children and her career but also, therefore, not seek maintenance, this Court is of the view that even in cases where a father has custody of young and minor children, the challenges he faces are, in essence, not dissimilar to those encountered by a mother in a comparable situation. While societal perception may traditionally lean towards the belief that a father's role is rendered more arduous due to professional commitments and prevailing gender expectations, the same logic must equally apply to working mothers, who often navigate identical—if not heightened— burdens. In the present case, what stands out is that the respondent – a woman employed in a demanding position that requires sustained concentration, discipline, and extended working hours—is not seeking maintenance for herself but solely for the children born out of the wedlock. This, despite the fact that the petitioner earns nearly twice her income. The respondent continues to shoulder the primary responsibility for the children's upbringing while simultaneously discharging her professional duties with diligence. The Courts below have rightly taken into consideration the fact that both minor children are studying in a School. It has also been noted that the elder child was enrolled in the same school even during the time when the parties resided together, and thus, the standard of schooling and related expenditure had already been a part of the household's financial planning. The continuation of the same educational institution ensures stability for the children and aligns with the standard of living they were accustomed to while living with both the parents. In cases such as the present one, where the mother is both the primary caregiver and a working woman managing the entirety of the children's daily lives, her non-financial contributions must be duly acknowledged, and a mechanical 50:50 sharing of financial liability cannot be imposed. It is also an admitted fact that the wife is earning a net monthly income of approximately Rs 75,000 to Rs 80,000. On the other hand, the husband's monthly income has been assessed at around Rs 1,75,000. In such circumstances, it would be just and equitable that the financial responsibility towards the upbringing of the minor children is shared more by the father of the children. The Delhi High Court on May 13, 2025, rejected a husband's divorce maintenance plea for making his divorced wife liable for sharing equal financial responsibility (50:50) for upkeep and education of their two minor children. The high court said that equal financial responsibility is not about gender, but rather of the parent who has custody which is the wife in this high court said she (wife) needs to do two jobs, one for the office and another after office for upkeep of the child and this contribution of hers cannot be quantified in monetary terms. To quote the High Court in exact terms, the court said, 'These psychological and emotional burdens cannot be calculated or addressed through a mere mathematical formula.'The husband on the other hand claimed that he earns just enough to barely sustain himself, but this disproportionate child maintenance amount ordered by the court is a burden for him. Though the wife had also filed a maintenance plea however, the court rejected her plea but upheld the child maintenance plea. The maintenance amount in this case is payable by the husband to the wife since she has custody of Delhi High Court said that this case is, in many ways, an acknowledgment – if not a tribute – to all working custodial parents, irrespective of gender, who strive each day to maintain equilibrium between their obligations as caregivers and professionals. 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The invaluable non-monetary contributions of a custodial parent, particularly a working mother, such as emotional support, homework supervision, and daily care, are explicitly recognized as a full-time responsibility not measurable monetarily, thus precluding a mechanical 50:50 sharing of financial liability. Maintenance is not a punishment or charity, but a recognition of shared parental responsibility and the child's inherent right to support.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
A late night existential crisis or just acidity?
Ravi Singh is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer who takes a keen interest in technology and philosophy. Before joining the civil services, he has worked in consulting roles with EY and KPMG. He is also a TED speaker and a sports enthusiast. (Views expressed on the blog are personal). LESS ... MORE At 2 AM, it's hard to say what's hitting harder, life or the spicy chhole you had for dinner. As I lay tossing and turning on the bed last night, I began to introspect. Have I been living an authentic life? Have I been true to myself? Throughout my life, I have mostly done what was expected of me. Yet, a quiet voice inside me asked if I had traded small parts of my authentic self to gain all this. A sharp pain in my lower back pulled me back to the present. It was an old injury, returning once more. I carefully turned to my left to ease the discomfort. The bright LED display of the air conditioner made my eyes uncomfortable and added to my irritation and anxiety. I sighed in frustration. Another night felt ruined, and tomorrow's meeting now seemed uncertain. That thought only made me more anxious. Eventually, I found a somewhat comfortable position, free from pain. My mind drifted to my college days when I was uncertain, broke but filled with energy. Now, although I live a disciplined and productive life, I feel disconnected from that version of me. I easily get exhausted. Probably, this is the path to becoming a mature adult, along with the joint pains. Or probably not. Existential philosopher and Nobel laureate Albert Camus said, 'Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.' I wish I could do things that give me more energy and happiness. But it is easier said than done. It can be quite challenging to reinvigorate spontaneity in your late 30s. Maybe there is just a lot to lose. With that comes lower appetite for taking risks. Suddenly, a bulb lit in my mind. 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That makes them hard to comprehend in a world where everything is measured by digestible bullet points. Yet, these questions return to us, again and again. As Jean-Paul Sartre once said, 'Everything has been figured out, except how to live.' Perhaps these sleepless nights are our mind's way of reminding us to pay attention. My stomach started growling. I gave up and got out of bed. With half-closed eyes, I looked at my phone. It was 3 AM. I walked to the kitchen, opened the cabinet and took out a sachet of ENO. As the fizz bubbled up in the glass, I stared at it like it was part of a strange ritual. I drank it quickly. A wave of calm passed through my body. Maybe it really was just acidity and not an existential crisis. I woke up late the next morning and rushed to the office. I felt dull and slow during the day. I reflected briefly on the thoughts from the night before, but quickly turned my attention to the meeting. I sipped a strong cup of black coffee. The meeting went fine, the coffee kicked in and I still don't know the purpose of life. But at least I know ENO works. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
IIVR's outreach drive engages 44K farmers across 6 UP dists
Varanasi: The Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi has recorded unprecedented success during an 11-day agricultural outreach programme conducted under the Ministry of Agriculture's nationwide initiative Viksit Krishi Samkalp Abhiyan-2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The campaign, held from May 29 to June 8, reached over 44,000 farmers across six districts of Uttar Pradesh. Briefing mediapersons on Monday, IIVR director Dr Rajesh Kumar said 18 expert teams comprising more than 50 scientists from IIVR collaborated with Krishi Vigyan Kendras and officials from the state agriculture department. Together, they directly engaged with farmers in Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Sant Ravidas Nagar, and Kushinagar — averaging an outreach of over 4,400 farmers per day. A total of 54 farmer interaction programmes were held across 65 villages in more than 15 blocks. These sessions covered topics such as direct seeding of rice (DSR), high-yielding IIVR vegetable varieties, integrated pest management, natural farming, nano-fertiliser application, protected cultivation, value addition, kitchen gardening, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, and drone-based farm solutions. The campaign also registered 36% participation from women, reflecting the growing involvement of rural women in agriculture. Aligned with the National Natural Farming Mission, the campaign laid special emphasis on organic pest control and reducing chemical input dependency in farming systems. Dr Kumar also highlighted key challenges faced by farmers, including crop damage by wildlife such as nilgai, water scarcity, pest infestations (notably whiteflies and jassids), poor market access, delayed supply of quality seeds, and lack of awareness about government schemes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the short term, the institute plans to intensify the use of organic pest control measures, pheromone traps, and promote efficient irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler methods. Additionally, plans are underway to establish Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in each district to improve collective bargaining and market access. Mid-term strategies include setting up regional centres of excellence, deploying mobile soil testing labs, and nurturing over 1,000 progressive farmers to become agri-entrepreneurs.
