Latest news with #A.P.J.AbdulKalam
Mint
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Brahmos and Akash proved their worth as missiles in the India-Pakistan clash
The recent war with Pakistan saw India use two indigenous systems, the Akash surface-to-air missiles and Brahmos cruise missiles. On 7 May, Akash reportedly shot down a J17 Thunder fighter jet, developed by China and integrated by Pakistan, and on 10 May, the Indian Air Force (IAF) targeted several strategic locations deep inside Pakistan in retaliation to attempted airspace violation by using Brahmos missiles alongside Scalp and Hammer munitions. Both Brahmos and Akash missiles have the distinct footprint of former president and scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Also Read: Arming up: 'Be Indian, buy Indian' is a useful mantra for strategic autonomy Brahmos and the story of India's missile programme: Brahmos has a hoary history, and Kalam can justifiably be credited with seeding and fructifying its joint venture with NPO Russia in 1995. In tandem with the S-400 defence systems, which were imported from Russia and helped thwart Pakistan's swarm drone and missile attacks, Brahmos and Akash have become the mark of our strategic superiority in military systems. The story of India being self-reliant in missile systems was envisioned when the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme was launched in 1983 to develop surface-to-surface missiles (short and long range), surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and anti-tank missiles. While the short-range Prithvi missile with a 150km range was inducted into service in 1994, the SAM missiles like Akash had several technical hiccups. Also Read: Why we must celebrate the three new warships joining India's naval fleet Kalam circumvented these by forging a joint venture with NPO Russia in December 1995, with India's stake at 50.5%. The name Brahmos fused the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia. It can reach a speed nearing 3 Mach and cruise at altitudes up to 15km above sea level. It follows a fire-and-forget principle. Once launched, no further guidance is required. The missile's low radar signature and high kinetic energy make it difficult to intercept. Lethality of cruise missiles: These can be launched from submarines, ships and fighter aircraft. The air-launched variant of Brahmos, which can be fired from the SU-30 MKI, entered service in 2019. The IAF is reported to have fired these from the SU-30 modified aircraft. Four regiments of the Indian Army also have these missiles; in March 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council cleared the procurement of additional regiments equipped with Brahmos–Extended Range (ER) missiles worth ₹20,000 crore. The cabinet committee on security has further cleared the acquisition of over 220 Brahmos-ER for deployment on warships at a cost of nearly ₹19,000 crore. During the recent standoff, multiple Indian naval ships undertook successful anti-ship firings in the Arabian Sea to revalidate the preparedness of platforms for long-range, precise offensive strikes. While many countries like the Philippines, Brazil and Vietnam have shown interest in buying these missiles from India, China has objections to its neighbours getting them. Also Read: India's defence policy must gear up for a 3.5-front security challenge India as an arms importer: India is the one of the world's largest importers of conventional arms in the world and its fifth-largest defence spender. India has 2,229 military aircraft as against Pakistan's 1,399; 3,151 combat tanks compared with Pakistan's 1,839. While the Pakistan Navy has 121 naval assets, India has 293, including two aircraft carriers and 18 submarines as against the former's eight. In terms of nuclear weapons, as per the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, India spent $2.7 billion and Pakistan $1 billion in 2023. Our Self Reliance Index n strategic defence platform, weapons and systems is 30%. Sourcing of critical platforms: The majority of India's arms are from Russia, though it has been shifting its arms sourcing to France, Israel and the US. While the US was the main arms supplier to Pakistan till 1990, China supplied 81% of Pakistan's imports, like J10 C aircraft and J15 during 2020-24, while 36% of India's arms were sourced from Russia during this period. New Delhi's tilt now is towards purchases from the US and France. Also Read: Zero-day terror in Kashmir: National security needs an AI upgrade The surprises: Some of the unexpected fallout of the short war was the insistence of both the US and Russia to de-escalate, while China seemed keen to see how its air assets perform against Indian targets. Turkey seems to be a solid supplier to Pakistan of drones, which were reportedly repulsed by India's S-400 missiles. While Russia has proposed joint production of its latest S-500 air defence system with India, Moscow did not stand with New Delhi in the latest conflict, unlike its rock-solid support during the 1971 war, when Moscow checkmated the US move to intimidate India through its Seventh Fleet aircraft carrier. Yet, today, both the Cold War rivals are competing to sell India their military hardware—the US its F-35 stealth aircraft and Russia its SU-57. Also Read: Nitin Pai: Operation Sindoor leaves India better placed for the next round Lessons and the way forward: One of the issues that concerns India is whether Pakistan will use the nuclear option if pushed to the brink. Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto had once said, 'Neither India can use the nuke, nor can Pakistan. Whichever country is throwing that nuke knows there is not enough time or space, and is going to get it thrown back." That paradigm is valid even now. Unfortunately, this brief war did not lead India to the five armed terrorists who committed the dastardly Pahalgam attacks. Nor was enough light thrown on claims of Indian air assets being destroyed. The Indian government should have acknowledged the death of civilians, including children in Jammu and Kashmir, and highlighted the large strides India has taken in the indigenous production of military assets. Dialogue with adversaries should never be shelved, but we must also bolster our defence capability in strategic systems through joint ventures with global manufacturers and collaborations with design houses for arms development. The author is a former joint secretary (aerospace), ministry of defence.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia-India Financing Venture Southern Sitara Bows at Cannes Market With Cross-Cultural Slate (EXCLUSIVE)
The growing appetite for Australia-India co-productions has spawned a new financing entity designed to bridge the two markets with structured investment and cultural authenticity. Southern Sitara, unveiled at the Cannes Film Market, represents the latest effort to capitalize on the bilateral co-production treaty between the two countries, targeting features in the AUD5-11 million ($3.2-7 million) range through a hybrid capital model that combines proprietary funds with co-raised investment. More from Variety Dhanush to Play Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Om Raut-Directed Biopic Alibaba's 'Molly' Acquired for Malaysia by U.K.-China Film Collab (EXCLUSIVE) 'Legacies' Star Kaylee Kaneshiro Boards Cult Survivor Horror 'The Rift' From Helmer Colin Levy (EXCLUSIVE) The venture brings together investment duo Roshni Pandey and Jagdish Sidhu — who oversee portfolios spanning Southeast Asia, London and Australia — with filmmaker Anupam Sharma, architect of the Australia India Film Fund. The trio will partner with production house Temple, which operates from Disney Studios Australia in Sydney. 'Australia provides unprecedented support to screen professionals,' said Sharma. 'Southern Sitara builds on this to enable authentic cultural storytelling.' The financing structure addresses familiar pain points in cross-border production, offering development funding, production investment, gap financing and cash flow loans. Pandey emphasized the de-risking approach: 'We've been piloting business models to de-risk film investment, and Australia's treaties and incentives have helped us transform the narrative.' Southern Sitara has assembled backing from established players in the Australia-India space, including Pradnya and Tej Dugal of Jhumka Films ('Maasa,' 'Farewell Amor'), London-based media investor Jacqui Miller-Charlton, Sydney investor Chandru Tolani and angel investor Shallu Kundra. Distribution is handled through first-look deals with Icon Film for English-language titles and Forum Films for Indian-language releases. The initial slate reflects the cultural bridge the entity aims to build. Projects include 'The Return,' a thriller from actor-director Anupam Kher shot extensively in Australia, horror film 'Shadows' that blends First Nations and Indian mythologies, and 'The Indian Cowboy,' inspired by India's sole country music performer Bobby Cash, who was discovered Down Under. Additional titles in development include Richard Jameson's 'Bidjara Kumari,' which has received backing from Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, and 'Framed,' supported by Screen Australia, Screen NSW and SBS. The venture has recruited Australian producers Lisa Duff ('Last Cab to Darwin'), Jannine Barnes ('Downriver'), Cathy Rodda ('Bromley – Light After Dark') and Victoria McIntyre Wharfe ('The Flood') for key creative roles, alongside 'Shark Tank Australia's' Ben Ulm and First Nations producer Jodie Bell ('Doug the Human'). Singapore-based Sidhu will handle finance and compliance while Pandey leads strategy and investor relations. 'Australia's production incentives and treaties offer a uniquely de-risked path to global film investment,' Sidhu noted, 'aligning with our focus on compliance and strong ROI.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
India.com
30-04-2025
- Health
- India.com
Meet Amitabh Shah, man who runs 7000 government schools in 25 states, redeveloping over 300 Anganwadi Centres, he now plans to…
Amitabh Shah is the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Yuva Unstoppable. Recently, he was honoured with the 37th Jamnalal Bajaj Uchit Vyavhar Puraskar in the Charitable Association category. The Jamnalal Bajaj Awards are among India's most esteemed accolades for ethical leadership and impactful initiatives. Notable past recipients include Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Nandan Nilekani, and Narayana Murthy. Established in 1966 by visionary leaders such as J.R.D. Tata, Ramkrishna Bajaj, Soli Godrej, and Arvind Mafatlal, the CFBP has long championed integrity and fairness in business. Under Amitabh's leadership, Yuva Unstoppable has positively impacted over 7 million children across 7,000 government schools in 25 Indian states. Their Green and Smart Schools Transformation Initiative is a nationwide revolution to transform government schools into future-ready, sustainable learning spaces focused at improving educational outcomes and nurturing young minds. This is achieved through interventions such as access to better WASH facilities and clean drinking water, digital classrooms, modern sports facilities, solar-powered school campuses, and rainwater harvesting installations. Further, Yuva's scholarship initiative has supported 6,000+ bright students coming from difficult backgrounds —many whose parents are daily wagers earning under ₹1 lakh annually. The scholarship has enabled these students to position themselves as role models for inter and intra-generational change within their communities as they break the cycle of poverty by becoming IITians, IIM graduates, doctors, and CEOs of their startups. Beyond schools, Yuva Unstoppable is reimagining 300+ Anganwadi Centres with support from The Gates Foundation and Zerodha, transforming them into vibrant and safe spaces. These centres also empower Anganwadi workers and frontline health staff, ensuring each child receives early education and necessary nutrition. In another life-changing step, Yuva has provided nutrition kits to over 5,000 pregnant women, who are suffering from low BMI & malnutrition. Expressing his gratitude at the award ceremony, Amitabh Shah said, 'I would like to thank Swapnil Kothari, President CFBP; Shri Shekhar Bajaj, Founder Member; Justice B. N. Srikrishna, Chairman of the Jury, and the entire CFBP leadership team for this honour. This honour belongs not just to me, but to the millions of children, mothers, farmers and volunteers who've made Yuva Unstoppable what it is today. I've always believed that the real street of India is where change begins. I gave up Wall Street to walk those streets—and every smile we've helped create, every dream we've powered, makes that choice worth it. We're not just transforming schools—we're transforming lives with integrity, love, and purpose. And we'll keep going… till every child has access to education, health, and safe environment.' By nurturing lives from womb to graduation, Amitabh Shah and Yuva Unstoppable stand as testaments to bringing social change infused with fairness, equity, and transparency.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
National Archives of India acquires private papers of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
The National Archives of India (NAI), the premier archival institution of the country, on Monday acquired the private papers of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. According to a press release, the collection comprises original correspondences and photographs, passport, Aadhaar and PAN cards, tour reports, and the lectures delivered by Kalam at various universities and organisations. The collection was donated by A.P.J.M. Nazema Maraikayar, Kalam's niece, and A.P.J.M.J. Sheik Saleem, Kalam's grandnephew. Arun Singhal, Director-General, National Archives, signed an agreement with Ms. Maraikayar. The ceremony was also attended by A.P.J.M. Jainulabudeen, Kalam's nephew, and A.P.J.M.J. Sheik Dawood, Kalam's grandnephew. The NAI is the custodian of the non-current records of the Government of India and holds them in trust for the use of administrators and researchers, as per the provisions of the Public Records Act, 1993. It plays a key role in guiding and shaping archival consciousness in the country. Apart from its vast collection of public records, the NAI also houses a rich and ever-growing collection of private papers of eminent Indians from all walks of life, who have made significant contributions to the nation, the release said.
