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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP MP calls environmental activists as ‘agents of Goa government', told to apologise
Environment activists protesting against Mahadayi basin projects in Karnataka have demanded an apology from BJP MP Jagadish Shettar for calling them 'agents of Goa government'. 'The statement by Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar, branding eminent environmentalists of Belagavi as 'agents of the Goa government', is not only shameful, it is a deliberate attack on truth, dignity, and the democratic voice of the people. The MP should immediately issue a public apology,' activist Sujit Mulgund said in Belagavi on June 2. He told reporters that the activists who Mr. Shettar had termed agents are respected personalities who had worked hard for decades to protect and preserve the environment. They include Dileep Kamat who has been involved in selfless activism for over 60 years. He has worked with Baba Amte and saved 80,000 acres of forest from exploitation by corporates and others. Shivajirao Kaganikar, who is known as the 'Water Man of North Karnataka' He has been honoured with the Rajyotsava and Devraj Urs awards. He is a Gandhian, and has been a relentless advocate of justice to the deprived classes, rainwater harvesting, and afforestation Lieutenant General Srikrishna Sardeshpande a war hero, awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Rajyotsava Award, who laid the groundwork for Bhimgad, Kodachadri, and Mhadei conservation zones with his environmental activism. 'The activists also include Colonel Ravindra Saini, Captain Nitin Dhond, Nyla Coelho, and Sharada Gopal. They comprise social activists, scientists, social reformers, educators, all sons and daughters of this soil who are tirelessly working to protect the environment,' he said. 'These are not outsiders. They are the soul of Belagavi, guardians of our forests, rivers, and communities. They have received awards from successive governments, including the Parisara Mitra Award and commendations from Chief Ministers. Mr. Shettar has no right to insult them. These environmental warriors have achieved what politicians only promise. They have protected our land without asking for votes or power. Mr. Shettar's attack reeks of political insecurity, and an attempt to deflect from the real issue — illegal deforestation, ecological destruction, and political nexus with land-grabbing interests,' Mr. Mulgund said. Raju Topannanvar, activist, said that the 'Save Water, Save Western Ghats' movement will organise a rally in Belagavi on June 3 to protest against the Mahadayi basin projects. 'We are doing this for the environment. Not for any party, not for Goa, not for votes. We will march for truth, forests, water, and future generations. Let the people judge who is truly serving Belagavi and who is serving vested interests,' Mr. Topannanavar said. He said that Ridhima Pandey, a 17-year-old climate activist from Haridwar, would join the rally. 'Her journey of activism began in 2017 when she filed a petition against the government of India for failing to fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement. In 2019, Ridhima joined 15 other children, including Greta Thunberg, in a historic lawsuit at the United Nations against five countries —Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Turkey — for violating the rights of children through inaction on climate change,' Mr. Topannanavar said.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Lt Gen D S Rana takes over as Commander-in-Chief of Andaman & Nicobar Command
New Delhi, Jun 1 (UNI) Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana assumed charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN) on Sunday. The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), based at Sri Vijaya Puram, is India's first and only joint services operational command, integrating the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard to safeguard national interests in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region, a Defence Ministry statement said. Lt Gen Rana was commissioned into the 10th Battalion of The Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987 and later had the honour of commanding the same battalion. A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and a postgraduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he is also an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi; Centre for National Defence Studies, Madrid, Spain; and the National Defense University, USA. His academic record is distinguished by topping multiple professional military courses. In a career spanning over 37 years, the General Officer has held diverse operational, instructional, and staff appointments across various terrains and theatres. His service includes tenures with the Indian Military Training Team and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. He has commanded an Infantry Brigade and Division in the Eastern Sector and subsequently led the Gajraj Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Lt Gen Rana has also served as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; College of Defence Management, Secunderabad; and the Higher Command Wing, Army War College, Mhow. His staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Deputy Director General Staff Duties, Brigadier Military Intelligence (East), Provost Marshal, and Director General Staff Duties at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Army). Prior to taking over as CINCAN, the General Officer served as Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency, making history as the first Chief of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to the rank of Commander-in-Chief — a reflection of the growing importance of defence intelligence and jointmanship in India's military leadership. For his distinguished service, Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Sena Medal (SM), and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. As a young officer, he earned the Sena Medal and COAS Commendation for gallantry in Kashmir. He also holds a PhD in China's defence modernisation. UNI RBE SS
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana becomes new chief of Andaman & Nicobar Command
Commissioned into the 10th Battalion of The Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987, Lt Gen Rana later commanded the same battalion. Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana has taken over as the 18th Commander-in-Chief He is the first DG of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to the post Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana on Sunday assumed charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India's first and only tri-service operational command. Headquartered at Sri Vijaya Puram, the ANC integrates the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to protect India's strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region. Commissioned into the 10th Battalion of The Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987, Lt Gen Rana later commanded the same battalion. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and the National Defence College, his academic journey also includes prestigious stints at the Centre for National Defence Studies in Spain and the National Defense University in the USA. Over a 37-year distinguished career, Lt Gen Rana has held key operational, instructional, and staff roles. He served with the Indian Military Training Team and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and commanded both an infantry brigade and division in the Eastern Sector, later leading the Gajraj Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). As an instructor, he has served at the Indian Military Academy, College of Defence Management, and the Army War College. His notable staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Military Intelligence (East), Provost Marshal, and Director General Staff Duties. Before assuming the CINCAN role, he was Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, becoming the first Chief of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to a Commander-in-Chief appointmentâ€'underscoring the growing importance of jointmanship and intelligence in military strategy. Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Sena Medal (SM) and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. He earned both the Sena Medal and COAS Commendation early in his career for gallantry in Kashmir. He also holds a Ph.D. on China's defence modernisation. Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana on Sunday assumed charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India's first and only tri-service operational command. Headquartered at Sri Vijaya Puram, the ANC integrates the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to protect India's strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region. Commissioned into the 10th Battalion of The Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987, Lt Gen Rana later commanded the same battalion. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and the National Defence College, his academic journey also includes prestigious stints at the Centre for National Defence Studies in Spain and the National Defense University in the USA. Over a 37-year distinguished career, Lt Gen Rana has held key operational, instructional, and staff roles. He served with the Indian Military Training Team and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and commanded both an infantry brigade and division in the Eastern Sector, later leading the Gajraj Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). As an instructor, he has served at the Indian Military Academy, College of Defence Management, and the Army War College. His notable staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Military Intelligence (East), Provost Marshal, and Director General Staff Duties. Before assuming the CINCAN role, he was Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, becoming the first Chief of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to a Commander-in-Chief appointmentâ€'underscoring the growing importance of jointmanship and intelligence in military strategy. Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Sena Medal (SM) and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. He earned both the Sena Medal and COAS Commendation early in his career for gallantry in Kashmir. He also holds a Ph.D. on China's defence modernisation. Join our WhatsApp Channel
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Lt General Dinesh Rana assumes charge as 18th Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command
New Delhi [India], June 1 (ANI): Lieutenant General Dinesh Rana on Sunday assumed charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command. Rana relinquished the appointment of Director General Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Intelligence on May 31. In a post on social media X, Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff wrote, 'Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, #CISC & All Ranks of HQ IDS congratulate and wish him best of luck in future endeavours.' Rana was commissioned into the 10th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987 and commanded the same battalion. In a career spanning over 37 years, the General Officer has held diverse operational, instructional, and staff appointments across various terrains and theatres. His service includes tenures with the Indian Military Training Team and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. He has commanded an Infantry Brigade and Division in the Eastern Sector and subsequently led the Gajraj Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Rana has also served as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. His staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Deputy Director General Staff Duties, Brigadier Military Intelligence (East), Provost Marshal, and Director General Staff Duties at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Army). Prior to taking over as CINCAN, the General Officer served as Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency, making history as the first Chief of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to the rank of Commander-in-Chief -- a reflection of the growing importance of defence intelligence and jointmanship in India's military leadership. For his distinguished service, Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Sena Medal (SM), and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. As a young officer, he earned the Sena Medal and COAS Commendation for gallantry in Kashmir. He also holds a Ph.D. in China's defence modernisation. (ANI)
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Air Marshal Khanna assumes charge as AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command
Air Marshal Manish Khanna, an accomplished officer with over 4,000 hours of flying experience on various fighter and trainer aircraft, on Sunday (June 1, 2025) assumed the charge of the Southern Air Command. He was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, the Government said in a statement. 'Air Marshal Manish Khanna Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM), assumed command of the Southern Air Command (SAC) as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief on June 1, 2025 at Thiruvananthapuram,' it said. The air officer is a category 'A' Qualified Flying Instructor and an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare and National Defence College. 'The air officer has over 4,000 hours of flying experience on various fighter and trainer aircraft,' it said. Apart from his rich operational experience in air defence, ground attack, strategic reconnaissance and electronic warfare, the Air Marshal has wide-ranging experience in the training domain, including an international assignment as the Chief Flying Instructor with the Botswana Defence Forces, it added. In his illustrious career spanning almost four decades, he has served as commanding officer of the fighter squadron, air crew examining board, a major flying base, advance headquarters, the Western Air Command and Commandant at College of Air Warfare (CAW) among others. The Air Marshal was Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at South Western Command (SWAC) prior to taking over the present appointment. In another announcement, the defence ministry on Sunday (June 1, 2025) said Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of the IAF's Western Air Command (WAC) on June 1, 2025. The Air Marshal is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on December 16, 1989, it said in a statement. He has flown over 3,000 hours, primarily on various types of fighter aircraft. He is a pilot attack instructor and in his operational career, he has commanded a fighter squadron, been Chief Operations Officer of a forward base and Air Officer Commanding of a premium fighter base, the Ministry said.
