Latest news with #Ghatak
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Hindi speakers' society takes the lead to celebrate centenary of Ritwik Ghatak
This is the centenary year of acclaimed filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, and among the first to celebrate it in West Bengal happens to be a society of Hindi speakers in the State, which claims that, unlike other Bengali filmmakers who mostly depicted Hindi-speaking people as 'doormen or drivers,' Ghatak portrayed them as proper characters. On June 8, Paschim Banga Hindi Bhashi Samaj (West Bengal Hindi Speakers' Society), will hold a screening of Ghatak's film Subarnarekha and also a commemorative discussion on the director who was born in November 1925 and died at the age of 50, much of his iconic status being built posthumously. 'If you see Satyajit Ray's films or Mrinal Sen's films, you will usually find Hindi-speaking people shown as either drivers or doormen. In Ray's film Sonar Kella, for example, you find Bengalis travelling in a train to Rajasthan not having much conversation with a Marwari co-passenger, but the same Bengalis are shown to be so comfortable in Rajasthan,' Ashok Singh, general secretary of the Society and former head of Hindi department at Surendranath Evening College, told The Hindu. 'Whereas if you watch Ghatak's Bari Theke Paliye, you will see a boy running away from his village to the big city of Calcutta being shown kindness by a Hindi-speaking man selling sattu on the road. Such a humane portrayal of the meeting of two migrants!' Mr. Singh said, explaining why Ghatak meant a lot to the society of the Hindi-speaking. Extended tribute The June 8 event will be held at Rammohan Library and attendees will include academics and filmmakers from Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai. Some of the names mentioned are Kamaleshwar Mukherjee, Sanjoy Mukherjee, Sanchita Sanyal, Mohammed Salim (former MP), and Sonamani Tudu (Santhali lyricist and singer). Why only Subarnarekha? 'That's only to begin with. Our tribute to him will go on for months and we will show all his films. We are starting with Subarnarekha because it is very relevant today. It is an explosive experiment with mythology. The political questions raised in Ghatak's films are more important today than ever,' Mr. Singh said. The Paschim Banga Hindi Bhashi Samaj was established in March 1999 with the aim, according to Mr. Singh, of promoting the educational and cultural development of Hindi-speaking people in West Bengal and protection of their democratic rights. The body has over 1,000 members and has district committees in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, West Bardhaman, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas. He said that even though the Hindi-speaking community makes up 15% of the population in West Bengal, it has had no representation in the government for decades. 'When the Congress was in power, there was a Hindi-speaking minister, but after the Left Front took over and ever since then until today, there has been no Hindi-speaking minister in West Bengal. Even in Nandan, which is such an important cultural centre in Kolkata, they have completely stopped showing Hindi films,' Mr. Singh said.
India.com
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- India.com
Kaveri Engine: Powering India's Sky-High Dreams
Kaveri Engine Every Republic Day, we cheer as our fighter jets zoom across the sky, showcasing India's strength. But here's a hard truth: the heart of those jets—the engine—is often made abroad. Imagine if we could power our planes with an engine built right here in India. That's what the Kaveri engine, developed by DRDO, promises. It's not just an engine; it's our shot at self-reliance, pride, and a stronger future. Why Kaveri Is a Game-Changer The Kaveri engine, crafted by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru under DRDO, began in the 1980s to power the Tejas fighter jet. Today, it's being adapted for unmanned drones like Ghatak, India's first stealth UCAV. This shift is critical because India still relies heavily on foreign engines from countries like the US or France. If those supplies are halted, our jets could be grounded. Kaveri aims to change that by making India self-reliant in defence aviation. Beyond security, developing the Kaveri engine means more jobs for Indian engineers, better use of public funds, and a chance to become a global exporter of engine technology. It keeps defence secrets secure and builds valuable skills that can later be used in civilian aircraft, naval vessels, and drones. How Much Power Does Kaveri Produce? The Kaveri engine is a turbofan engine—built to push aircraft at high speeds over long distances. It currently exists in two versions: • Dry Variant (No Afterburner): Generates 49–51 kN of thrust—suitable for unmanned drones like Ghatak. • With Afterburner (Kaveri 2.0): Expected to reach 73–75 kN, with recent upgrades adding an additional 29 kN through an afterburner system, bringing the total closer to 79 kN. To compare, the Tejas jet requires more than 85 kN of thrust. The American GE F404 engine currently powering Tejas delivers about 84 kN. While Kaveri is already promising for drones, it still needs a boost to power fighter jets. Why Isn't Kaveri Ready Yet? Creating a jet engine is one of the most difficult engineering tasks. Here's why Kaveri is still a work in progress: 1. Technical Challenges: The engine struggles with high internal temperatures, especially in the turbine area. These heat levels can damage components, and managing them requires advanced materials like single-crystal turbine blades—technologies still being mastered in India. 2. Testing Limitations: India lacks dedicated high-altitude testing facilities. As a result, Kaveri has been tested abroad, such as in Russia, where high-altitude tests once achieved only 48.5 kN—well below the desired 81 kN. This slows progress and increases costs. 3. Long Development Timeline: Initiated in 1989, the project faced multiple hurdles. International sanctions after India's 1998 nuclear tests disrupted collaboration. In 2008, the engine was officially delinked from the Tejas project due to low thrust output. Attempts to collaborate internationally, like with France's Snecma, also fell through. 4. Power Deficit: While the dry version suits drones, the thrust isn't enough for fighters. In-flight testing, now ongoing on a modified Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, is helping refine the design and performance in real-world conditions. When Can We See Kaveri in Action? India is taking a phased approach: • For Drones (Ghatak UCAV): The dry variant is almost ready and is expected to power the Ghatak drone by 2026. Drones require less thrust and can benefit from Kaveri's current capabilities. • For Fighter Jets (Tejas/AMCA): The afterburning version of Kaveri is being upgraded to meet the thrust needs of fighter jets. With adequate funding and technological progress, it may be ready for integration into aircraft like Tejas or the upcoming AMCA by the late 2020s or early 2030s. Industry estimates suggest that with ₹25,000 crore in funding, a 105 kN thrust engine could be achievable by 2030. • For Other Platforms: Kaveri's technology is already powering a 12 MW marine gas turbine since 2008. By 2027–28, more applications for ships and other platforms may be realized. Recently, the Defence Minister announced increased funding to speed up development. Private players such as Larsen & Toubro are also getting involved, proposing a 110 kN engine based on the Kaveri framework, which could be ready by the early 2030s if the project receives consistent support. Why India Must Keep Pushing Kaveri Kaveri is more than a technological ambition—it's a national necessity. Here's why the effort must continue: • Strategic Independence: Foreign engines are not always guaranteed. A homegrown engine ensures India's defence readiness under any circumstances. • Economic Benefits: Building engines locally creates thousands of jobs, retains valuable capital within the country, and opens avenues for exports. • National Confidence: Imagine a Republic Day flypast in 2030, where Indian-made Tejas and Ghatak aircraft roar across the sky powered by Kaveri engines—built in India, by Indians. That would be a defining moment of pride. Public sentiment is increasingly in favour of greater investment in indigenous defence projects. Citizens, veterans, and engineers are calling for more action and attention from the government. With consistent effort, policy support, and industry participation, the Kaveri engine can become a global symbol of India's technological progress. The Sky Is Not the Limit Today, Kaveri produces 49–51 kN of thrust, which is nearly ready for drones. With continued work, upgrades could soon push that to 79 kN and beyond, bringing us closer to a 105 kN-class engine. With stronger funding, testing infrastructure, and private-sector collaboration, India can transform Kaveri from a promising project into a powerhouse of aviation. Let us dream, design, and deliver. Let us make Kaveri soar. Because when it flies, it carries the dreams of a billion Indians.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
MPCB issues temporary closure notice to Pune civic body abattoir
Punjab Police mobilize elite forces (SWAT, SOG, Ghatak) along the Pakistan border, deploying 16 companies and 90 strategic nakas. Mossad-trained units, skilled in counter-terrorism and VVIP protection, stand ready to respond to potential military escalation.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Schools closed in Hisar for two days
Punjab Police mobilize elite forces (SWAT, SOG, Ghatak) along the Pakistan border, deploying 16 companies and 90 strategic nakas. Mossad-trained units, skilled in counter-terrorism and VVIP protection, stand ready to respond to potential military escalation.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab mobilises its elite forces along border
Rising in tandem with the Indian Army and the other security agencies to tackle any challenge arising from military escalation between India and Pakistan, Punjab Police have mobilised their elite forces — Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, Special Operations Groups (SOG) and Ghatak forces — as the second line of defence along the Pakistan border. As many as 16 companies from Punjab Armed Police (PAP) have also been deployed, following a thorough ground assessment. Additionally, more than 90 nakas have been set up along the border at strategic points, complete with specialised heavy vehicles. The SWAT, SOGs, Ghatak squads — trained on the manuals developed by Israil's national intelligence agency Mosaad — are generally brought in for VVIP duties, such as visits by the President and Prime minister. An ADGP rank officer disclosed that Punjab Police had been working to develop these elite units as the 'second wall' since 2017. 'The special cops who have been trained for war-like situations have been moved to the sensitive border areas to meet out any challenge arising out of the escalation,' said a senior police official. SWAT had played a major role in neutralising terrorists during the Dinanagar attack in July 2015. The very next year, these teams were also deployed outside the Pathankot airbase in another terrorist attack. 'Responding to and neutralising terrorist threats within Punjab, safeguarding high-profile individuals and sensitive locations, and acting swiftly during emergencies and high-risk situations are the primary fortes of this force,' said a senior Punjab Police functionary. As Punjab Police have also cancelled leaves of all cops right from the rank of constable, the entire force remains on standby, keeping in view its role in civil defence and combat operations in case of need. According to another senior officer posted in security wing, the Punjab Police are also reviewing the security of politicians, singers and other protectees. 'Minute-to-minute collaboration is underway with the BSF and other agencies at the borders. We are ready to face any challenge emerging out of the current situation,' another senior officer from law and order wing said. Mossad-trained units ready as second line of defence Typically tasked with VVIP protection, such as visits by the President or Prime Minister, these elite forces have been trained using manuals developed by Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, equipping them with specialised capabilities in high-stakes operations. Among them, the SWAT, formed in 2011 to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities, stands out. Initially established to protect political figures, the team received training from Israeli experts via Athena Security, a private firm hired by the Punjab government. This training encompassed Krav Maga — a martial art and self-defence system developed for the Israeli military — as well as room intervention techniques and other specialised tactics. Armed with advanced firearms such as Glock 17s, Beretta 92S, Heckler & Koch MP5, AK-47s, and sniper rifles like the Steyr SSG 69, the teams are also equipped with lightweight protective gear, hands-free communication devices, night-vision equipment and bullet-resistant transport for effective response to high-risk situations.
