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Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Keeping up with UP: The callous targeting of two women officers
A student of the Government Girls' Degree College once told me how she wants to join the armed forces despite opposition from her family. 'I want to join the armed forces, but my parents are not allowing me to do so as they worry what relatives and society would say,' she said. That day, I told her to rebel and compel her parents to let 'you join the armed forces as the day you will wear the uniform; the same opinionated relatives would salute you.' I was reminded of this conversation as two brave women in uniform face disparaging comments and discussions about their caste and religion, and not of their valour. Hopefully, it would not dissuade young girls who want to make a career in defence. On International Women's Day on March 8, defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke about the government's commitment to the vision of gender-inclusive armed forces, encouraging more young women to aspire for careers in defence. What the Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah said about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is unpardonable, questioning her 'deshbhakti' (patriotism) and the fact that she had vowed to eliminate the terrorists, with whom he had the audacity to connect her. Perhaps the government and the BJP high command should have acted with alacrity to prevent their leaders from making such comments. And then the Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, apparently attempting to condemn the minister, committed a blunder by mentioning the caste of the other officer. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath quickly condemned Gopal for his casteist comment. Also Read |Keeping up with UP| Caste census: The politics of numbers As a ray of hope has come an emotional Facebook post of a UP minister, Asim Arun, who was in the police service before joining politics. Supporting the officers, the minister wrote: 'Jai Hindi , neither Adab, nor Jai Mata Di, nor anything else, Only Jai Hindi. When we wear uniform, our only identity left is ' Indian', no caste, religion, state or anything else. But some of our leaders do not have this simple understanding as they watch your religion or caste. We fight as a group, as an identity, as a country. Leaders who look at you with glasses of caste and religion are being condemned and I also condemn them.' Thereafter he wrote about how on January 8, 2022 when he decided to enter politics, he had made a promise to always stand in the forefront to protect the honour of the uniform. Adding that he doesn't care who would get angry, he demanded legal action against the two leaders, the MP minister and Yadav. Party high commands should ponder over the comments made by the two leaders. The MP minister's comment is clearly antithetical to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance to assuage the grief of the family members, including young widows, of 26 people gunned down by terrorists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025. In its bid to send a message to the grieving widows in particular and women in general, the government chose to name its military action 'Operation Sindoor'. The government brought to the fore two brave women officers -- Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh with an intent to instill confidence in women. Modi in his address after the ceasefire said he dedicated the heroism of the armed forces to every mother, sister and daughter of the country. Surprisingly, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi who ran the campaign, 'Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon' during the 2022 UP assembly polls failed to vociferously condemn the act. Surely, in politics, caste is flaunted. But not always in other professions. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati used to call herself 'Dalit ki Beti, Jatav ki Beti' at public rallies as it helped her garner sympathy and support. But former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, daughter of the country's tallest Dalit leader, Jagjivan Ram, never identified herself as Dalit. She always spoke about herself as a woman, not even a Dalit woman. Even after she became the first woman speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar, a former diplomat, had described it as an achievement for women. While women are taking giant strides in every field despite such roadblocks, the real battle is about changing the mindsets in which the political parties should also come forward with a plan. Perhaps, RSS with its vast cadre can play a pivotal role in bringing this transformation. I recall how late prime minister Indira Gandhi had objected to the use of the commonly used complimentary phrase, 'she is the only man in her cabinet'. She had then said, as mentioned by her secretary PC Alexander in his opinion piece in the National Herald dated October 31, 2022, 'Indira Gandhi heartily disliked the sexist slant in this tribute. She once told me that statements like this revealed the arrogance in the thinking of some men that courage and excellence are the monopoly of men. If a woman showed such qualities, she had to be described as a man and if a man displayed lack of such qualities he had to be described as a woman. She strongly resented the condescending superiority complex underlying such statements. She told me that the worst example of the sexist superiority complex in India was the practice of making mock presents of glass bangles to political leaders as a gesture of insult.' A lot needs to change before we, as a country, celebrate the empowerment of women.
India Today
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Rhea Chakraborty's moving tribute to Indian army: From one fauji home to another...
Actor Rhea Chakraborty on Saturday shared an emotional note, applauding the Indian soldiers for their valour and sacrifices as tensions escalate between India and Pakistan. The actor posted a long note on her Instagram account, telling the members of the armed forces that she 'stands' with who's the daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Indrajit Chakraborty, recalled the time when she would long for her father to come back, and also see her mother hiding her tears. The 32-year-old said as an army officer's daughter, she 'learnt early'.advertisementShen wrote, "I grew up watching my dad wear his uniform like second skin - calm, proud, ready. And I grew up watching my mom hold back tears like a soldier too." "Being an Army officer's daughter means you learn early... That love often looks like distance. That pride quietly holds hands with fear," she further highlighted how people in the country can sleep well because soldiers are fighting for the country. "Today, I sleep safely in my home because someone else's father, mother, brother or sister is out there - standing at the border, standing tall," she actor concluded her note on a strong note: To every Army, navy and airforce family waiting, hoping, praying - I see you. I feel you. I stand with you. From one fauji home to another... sending love, strength, and a salute. Jai Hindi (sic)." advertisement Not just Rhea Chakraborty, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Nimrit Kaur, Gul Panag, Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Neha Dhupia, among other celebs have also shared their stories about coming from army India continues to defend itself against Pakistan's drone and missile attacks on the country's military structures, civilians, and religious centres across the border under Operation Sindoor, launched as a response to the ghastly Pahalgam attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, in Baisaran meadow of Reel IN THIS STORY#Rhea Chakraborty
India Today
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Anushka Sharma posts proud note for Indian Army amid Indo-Pak tensions, Virat reacts
Actor Anushka Sharma on Friday shared a note on her Instagram account, appreciating the efforts by the Indian Defence Forces in protecting the country amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. She thanked the forces and called them real 'heroes'. Her husband and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli reacted to the post with a quick post read, "Eternally grateful to our Indian Armed Forces for protecting us through these times like the heroes that they are. Heartfelt gratitude to the sacrifices they and their families have made. Jai Hind (sic)." She added the Indian flag emoji on the post, while Kohli commented 'Jai Hindi' with a folded hand and a heart emoji. advertisementKohli, too, shared a similar post at the same time, on his Instagram account. He thanked the armed forces for 'fiercely' protecting the country and saluted their 'unwavering bravery'. His post read, "We stand in solidarity with, and salute our armed forces for fiercely protecting our country in these difficult times. We are forever indebted to our heroes for their unwavering bravery and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make for our great nation (sic)." Their post comes two days after India launched Operation Sindoor, a precision strike, demolishing nine terrorist centres in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday, in response to the barbaric Pahalgam attack of April 22, which claimed 26 innocent lives, mostly tourists, including a foreign national. On Thursday night, Pakistan retaliated by launching a series of missile drone attacks targeting several border regions in Jammu, Rajasthan and Punjab. All incoming threats were successfully thwarted by the Indian defence forces, preventing large-scale damage and loss of Watch IN THIS STORY#Anushka Sharma#Virat Kohli
The Print
07-05-2025
- The Print
‘Some screamed with every thud, others prayed'—J&K residents recall night of Operation Sindoor
That's when Singh checked online and learnt India was carrying out airstrikes on terror assets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. A statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) at 1.44 a.m. Wednesday said a total of nine terror sites were struck under Operation Sindoor, but no Pakistani military facilities had been targeted. A warplane was hovering furiously low over the houses, Harveer recalled. 'All of us rushed into one room and huddled together. After about two minutes, it felt like something had fallen. We felt tremors for a few seconds, and the windows started shaking again.' New Delhi: It was 1.30 a.m. in Srinagar when Harver Singh (26) was jolted awake by a deafening thud. The windows were rattling. The skies were rumbling. 'Justice is Served. Jai Hindi,' was the update posted by the Indian Army on 'X' midnight. For the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the intervening night of 6–7 May was marked by fear, anxiety and sleeplessness. People switched on their television sets and kept checking the Internet to stay updated on the fast moving developments. Social media was flooded with posts from J&K residents describing the sounds of low-flying planes, and a looming sense of uncertainty and dread. Also Read: Fidayeen factories of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke, Jaish in Bahawalpur targeted in Operation Sindoor Usual night, until it wasn't Another resident from Kashmir's Pulwama, who didn't wish to be named, said his entire neighbourhood stayed awake as jets circled overhead. 'I heard a loud bang and something fell near a school in Wuyen village, followed by an explosion. Soon, the fire and emergency teams arrived at the spot to douse the flames,' he said. In Jammu's Doda district, it was a usual night for 29-year-old Farid Ahmed Naik. As he does almost everyday, he was on a call with friends talking about his day and cracking jokes, when he suddenly heard thundering sounds overhead. 'I asked my friend if he heard something too. He said, 'yes'. The next thing we did was peek out of the window to see what was in the air,' said Naik. Heavy artillery shelling was reported from posts across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir including Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu. At least 10 civilians have been killed in the cross-border shelling by the Pakistan army across the LoC. The incidents of shelling have left more than 40 people injured in the border district of Poonch. The shelling was carried out by the Pakistan army less than an hour after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor. Officials said they were first informed of the injuries and possible casualties around 2.30 a.m., and measures were taken to prevent further injuries and deaths. Twenty-year-old Rohit Nagotra was taken by surprise when he heard gunfire and flare-ups in the sky. A resident of Jakh village in Akhnoor tehsil of Jammu district, he said the entire neighbourhood rushed out onto the streets. 'People were screaming with each thud, and some started covering their windows and reciting prayers. It was very scary,' said Nagotra, a student. For most, the attack itself wasn't a surprise, but the intensity of it was, they said. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Modi avenged my husband's death with Op Sindoor, says wife of Kanpur trader killed in Pahalgam attack
The Print
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Modi avenged my husband's death with Op Sindoor, says wife of Kanpur trader killed in Pahalgam attack
'My whole family had faith in him. The way we responded to Pakistan has maintained our trust. This is the true tribute to my husband. Wherever my husband is today, he will find peace,' she said. 'I want to thank PM Modi for taking revenge for my husband's death,' Dwivedi's wife Aishanya said to ThePrint. New Delhi: The family of Shubham Dwivedi, one of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, expressed gratitude following Operation Sindoor—India's attacks on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)—early Wednesday. Shubham Dwivedi, a cement trader from Kanpur, was among the 26 people killed in the 22 April terrorist attack at the tourist spot in Pahalgam in J&K. His father, Sanjay Dwivedi, echoed his daughter-in-law's gratitude for the military response. 'I salute the army. I thank the PM, who understood the pain of the people of the country. Ever since we have heard this news, my whole family is feeling light. The pain in our hearts has been healed,' Sanjay Dwivedi said. 'Shubham's soul has found true peace today. His sacrifice has not gone in vain,' he added. On 24 April, the day of Shubham's funeral, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said after meeting the family in Kanpur that those who have destroyed the sindoor of sisters and daughters will not be spared. 'Terrorists destroyed the vermilion of their mothers and sisters in front of them. Now they will see the consequences,' he said in Kanpur. The Indian Army's operation against terrorist camps in Pakistan was named Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces carried out missile attacks on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early hours of Wednesday in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, as part of Operation Sindoor. After the strike, the Indian army said the strike has been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. 'These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable,' said the statement. On the air strike by India, Yogi Adityanath posted on X, 'Jai Hindi, Jai Hind ki Sena.' (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also read: China calls Operation Sindoor 'regrettable', urges India & Pakistan to 'exercise restraint'
