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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
547Agniveers inducted into Army after passing out parade at BRC
1 2 Patna: Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) at Danapur Cantonment witnessed a proud moment on Thursday as 547 young recruits were inducted into the Indian Army during the passing out parade (POP) of its 5th Agniveer batch. The newly inducted soldiers participated in a grand passing out parade held at the BRC ground after completing 31 weeks of rigorous military training. During the POP, these Agniveers took an oath to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, placing their hands on holy scriptures. Commandant of the BRC, Brigadier Kamaldeep Jaspal, reviewed the parade and took the salute. Addressing the parade, Jaspal congratulated the Agniveers and urged them to serve the nation with unwavering sincerity, discipline and devotion. He reminded them of the sacred pledge they had taken under the national flag and encouraged them to uphold the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Among the newly inducted Agniveers, several were feted for their outstanding performances during the military training period. Dhurva Rajehwar Dilip was adjudged the best Agniveer in the firing segment, while Ramchandra Jojo received the best physical training (PT) award. Similarly, Premkant Vishwakarma was honoured for excellence in drill category and Shubham Tiwari was declared the best overall Agniveer of the batch, BRC official said. In addition, the passing out parade was witnessed by proud families of the Agniveers, senior army officers, and local dignitaries, marking a proud moment in the lives of the Agniveers as they embark on their journey in service to the nation, a BRC official said. It may be recalled that the Agneepath scheme was launched by the Indian govt on June 14, 2022. The scheme basically aims to recruit individuals between the ages 17 to 21 years into the armed forces for a period of four years, sources said. Patna: Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) at Danapur Cantonment witnessed a proud moment on Thursday as 547 young recruits were inducted into the Indian Army during the passing out parade (POP) of its 5th Agniveer batch. The newly inducted soldiers participated in a grand passing out parade held at the BRC ground after completing 31 weeks of rigorous military training. During the POP, these Agniveers took an oath to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, placing their hands on holy scriptures. Commandant of the BRC, Brigadier Kamaldeep Jaspal, reviewed the parade and took the salute. Addressing the parade, Jaspal congratulated the Agniveers and urged them to serve the nation with unwavering sincerity, discipline and devotion. He reminded them of the sacred pledge they had taken under the national flag and encouraged them to uphold the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Among the newly inducted Agniveers, several were feted for their outstanding performances during the military training period. Dhurva Rajehwar Dilip was adjudged the best Agniveer in the firing segment, while Ramchandra Jojo received the best physical training (PT) award. Similarly, Premkant Vishwakarma was honoured for excellence in drill category and Shubham Tiwari was declared the best overall Agniveer of the batch, BRC official said. In addition, the passing out parade was witnessed by proud families of the Agniveers, senior army officers, and local dignitaries, marking a proud moment in the lives of the Agniveers as they embark on their journey in service to the nation, a BRC official said. It may be recalled that the Agneepath scheme was launched by the Indian govt on June 14, 2022. The scheme basically aims to recruit individuals between the ages 17 to 21 years into the armed forces for a period of four years, sources said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
3 abducted Punjab men rescued in Tehran, kin heave sigh of relief
The three Indian nationals from Punjab, who had gone missing in Iran last month after having been duped by a travel agency, have been rescued by the Tehran police, the Iranian Embassy in India has reported. In a post on X, it confirmed that the Tehran police have freed the missing Indians. The three men, Amritpal Singh, Jaspal Singh, and Hushanpreet Singh, hailing from Punjab's Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Sangrur, had been abducted and held captive shortly after they had landed in Tehran on May 2. They had been promised a safe pathway to Australia via Iran by the travel agents. After hearing about their abduction from their wards and subsequent calls by the abductors for ransom, the families of the three men lost touch with them. They approached the Indian government for help after which the Indian Embassy in Iran had taken up the matter with its counterpart in Iran. The Iranian Embassy in India has stated that the case was pursued by the consular affairs department of Iran's ministry of foreign affairs. Bhagowal resident Amritpal spoke to his family on Tuesday and informed them about the safe rescue of all three. His uncle, Gurdev Singh, said the Iranian police officials made Amritpal call home from their phone. 'He has not divulged details but said that he was safe and was being taken for medical check-up. Let him come home safely and then our minds will rest', said village sarpanch and Amritpa's uncle Gurdev Singh. Amritpal said that the kidnappers had also been arrested and were in police custody. His mother Gurdip Kaur said that it was like a second birth for her son. 'It feels like I have got the ultimate happiness', she said. The family had reportedly paid ₹18 lakh to the travel agents to send Amritpal to Australia. The family of 33-year-old Jaspal Singh heaved a sigh of relief after they received information from the ministry of external affairs about his release early on Tuesday. Hailing from Langroya village, 3km from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district headquarters, Jaspal left home a month ago to reach Australia via Iran, knowing little that he along with two other Punjabi men were being trapped by aides of illegal travel agents. 'The past month remained most traumatic as we thought that we were talking to Jaspal for the last time every time the abductors showed him and other youth on the video call. The accused first demanded the ransom of ₹1 crore but later settled for ₹18 lakh,' said his relative, Balwinder Singh. He added that Jaspal had a brief conversation on Tuesday morning in which he said he was safe. 'We were told that the kidnappers had torn their passports and the authorities are trying to procure fresh passports for their safe return to India,' he said. His wife, Kuldeep Kaur, said she was relieved that her husband would return safely back to his family, including two daughters. 'We are thankful to the Government of India and the ministry of external affairs for concerted efforts for the rescue of my husband and two other missing men,' she added. Balwinder Kaur, the mother of Hushanpreet Singh, said: 'They have been rescued by the police. I spoke to my son on Tuesday evening, he said that due to the injuries, they are now in the hospital, it may take up to a week for his return.' Hushanpreet's father died two years ago. Ramesh Sharma, Hushanpreet's maternal uncle, said the family received a call on Monday from their son and his mates who were abducted. 'A police officer there allowed them to call and inform us,' he said. 'We received the call, in which the three said that police had rescued them safely from the abductors and that the accused Pakistani kidnappers were arrested,' said Sharma, adding that efforts of the external affairs ministry played a pivotal role in the release of the three for which they are thankful to PM Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar. A first information report (FIR) has been registered against the Hoshiarpur-based travel agent brothers and their woman accomplice at Model Town police station, but they continue to be at large. Hoshiarpur senior superintendent of police Sandeep Kumar Malik has constituted a special investigation team (SIT), headed by a deputy superintendent, to probe the case and arrest the accused.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
3 abducted Punjabi men rescued in Iran, families heave sigh of relief
The three Indian nationals from Punjab, who had gone missing in Iran last month after having been duped by a travel agency, have been rescued by the Tehran police, the Iranian Embassy in India has reported. In a post on X, it confirmed that the Tehran police have freed the missing Indians. The three men, Amritpal Singh, Jaspal Singh, and Hushanpreet Singh, hailing from Punjab's Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Sangrur, had been abducted and held captive shortly after they had landed in Tehran on May 2. They had been promised a safe pathway to Australia via Iran by the travel agents. After hearing about their abduction from their wards and subsequent calls by the abductors for ransom, the families of the three men had lost touch with them. They had approached the Indian government for help after which the Indian Embassy in Iran had taken up the matter with its counterpart in Iran. The Iranian Embassy in India has stated that the case was pursued by the consular affairs department of Iran's ministry of foreign affairs. Amritpal spoke to his family on Tuesday and informed about the safe rescue of all the three. His uncle, Gurdev Singh, said the Iranian police officials made Amritpal call home from their phone. 'He has not divulged details but said that he was safe and was being taken for medical check-up', said Gurdev Singh. Amritpal said that the kidnappers had also been arrested and were in police custody. The family of 33-year-old Jaspal Singh, who was abducted in Iran's Tehran, heaved a sigh of relief after the family received information from ministry of external affairs about his release early on Tuesday. Hailing from Langroya village, 3km from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district headquarters, Jaspal left home a month ago to reach Australia via Iran, knowing little that he along with two other Punjabi men were being trapped by aides of illegal travel agents. 'The past one month remained most traumatic as we thought that we were talking to Jaspal for the last time every time the abductors showed him and other youth on the video call. The accused first demanded the ransom of ₹1 crore but later settled for ₹18 lakh,' said his relative, Balwinder Singh. He added that Jaspal had a brief conversation on Tuesday morning in which he said he was safe. 'We were told that the kidnappers had torn their passports and the authorities are trying to procure fresh passports for their safe return to India,' he said. His wife, Kuldeep Kaur, said she was relieved that her husband would return safely back to his family, including two daughters. 'We are thankful to the Government of India and ministry of external affairs for concerted efforts for the rescue of my husband and two other missing men,' she added. Meanwhile, Balwinder Kaur, the mother of Hushanpreet Singh from Sangrur, said they came to know about the rescue from news channels. Ramesh Sharma, Hushanpreet's maternal uncle, said the family received a call on Monday from their son and his mates who were abducted. 'A police officer there allowed them to call and inform us,' he said. 'We received the call, in which the three said that police had rescued them safely from the abductors and that the accused Pakistani kidnappers were arrested,' said Sharma, adding that efforts of the external affairs ministry played a pivotal role in the release of the three for which they are thankful to PM Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar. A first information report (FIR) has been registered against the Hoshiarpur-based travel agent brothers and their woman accomplice at Model Town police station, but they continue to be at large. Hoshiarpur senior superintendent of police Sandeep Kumar Malik has constituted a special investigation team (SIT), headed by a deputy superintendent, to probe the case and arrest the accused.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Indian Express
Promised Australia jobs, 3 Punjab men held ‘captive' in Iran; kin allege torture, seek help
Armed with 'work visas', three men from Punjab who set out for Australia in April, ended up in Iran, with their families alleging that they have been kidnapped by a network of travel agents from Pakistan who are now demanding a ransom of Rs 18 lakh each for their release. The three — Amritpal Singh (23) from Bhagowal Luda in Hoshiarpur; Jaspal Singh from Langroya in Nawanshehar; and Husanpreet Singh (27) of Sanagatpura in Sangrur — were promised jobs in Australia on work visas by a Hoshiarpur-based travel agents, the families said, adding they are now held captive in Tehran. The travel agents have now demanded Rs 18 lakh from each and wants the money transferred to bank accounts in Pakistan for their release, the families have alleged. According to a complaint lodged with the Model Town Police Station in Hoshiarpur, Amritpal was 'kidnapped' in Iran earlier this month. Based on the complaint, the Model Town police station in Hoshiarpur has registered an FIR against district-based travel agents and brothers Dheeraj Atwal and Kamal Atwal, and their employee Saavita Soya, under Sections 143, 318(4), 61(2) BNS, and Section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professional Regulation Act. Station House Officer, Inspector Gursahib Singh, said all three are absconding. 'We have conducted raids at their residences and workplace,' he said. All three were in touch with their families on video calls till May 17, 2025. Ashok Kumar, Jaspal's brother, said that they paid Rs 19 lakh to the agents. He said that Jaspal was flown to Dubai on April 1 and was made to stay their for a month. When Amritpal and Husanpreet reached Dubai on April 25, all three were taken to Tehran on May 1.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab farmers anxiously await HC decision on hybrid paddy varieties as sowing window grows smaller
Thousands of farmers and seed dealers have been left in a state of anxious anticipation since the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on May 19, reserved its order on the sale of hybrid paddy varieties in Punjab. The court reserved its decision after holding five hearings since April 25 in the crucial case. The decision, which was expected within days, has left farmers frustrated even as more than half of the time required for growing paddy nurseries has already passed. Farmers said the court should announce its decision as soon as possible so that they can decide which variety to plant this season. 'We have already started preparing our nurseries for the hybrid seeds we procured from Haryana as well as the non-banned traditional paddy varieties. If the court rules against hybrid seeds now, we will go for the traditional variety, and vice versa,' said a farmer from Patiala. He stressed that the sowing window is extremely time sensitive, and any delay in nursery preparation would delay planting, which could ultimately affect the entire harvest. 'We need clarity from the court soon,' he added. A seed dealer from Kapurthala district said, 'Based on the demand from farmers in our area, we placed an order with the company that prepares hybrid seeds, but now we cannot sell it in Punjab due to the government ban on the sale of even notified hybrid paddy seeds. We are not sure whether we will face huge losses.' He added that farmers have been growing the notified varieties for the past four to five years, but millers never raised an issue until last year, which led to the ban. Farmer Jaspal Singh, who has been growing hybrid varieties since 2020, said, 'I will grow the same this year too as I have prepared the variety and I'm now awaiting the court's decision. If the decision is against the hybrid variety, I will sell my crop to a rice miller who has assured me that he will purchase it. Officials with the agriculture department are coaxing us to purchase Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Ludhiana varieties, which I used to grow earlier. But there isn't a single PAU variety that can yield as much as hybrid varieties.' 'When millers in Haryana are willing to buy these hybrids, why are dealers in Punjab creating issues? The reasons are best known to them and the Punjab government, which has banned it. Haryana hasn't banned it. How can hybrids be good for Haryana but not for Punjab,' he asked. Jaspal added that with hybrid varieties, he was earning Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,000 more per acre, besides saving a significant amount of water due to the short duration of the crops. Another hybrid paddy grower from Jalandhar, who has also struck a deal with a miller to sell his crop, said, 'Actually, PAU wants to create a monopoly in seed sales. We are willing to buy its seeds, but first, it should come out with high-yielding varieties, like hybrids.' 'Instead of guiding farmers about the best time for sowing these varieties, they are blaming hybrids without any scientific reasoning,' said an agriculture development officer, who grows hybrid varieties on his 10-acre farm. Ajai Rana, chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India, said, 'As the high court has reserved its verdict on the Punjab government's decision to ban hybrid rice, the seed industry remains hopeful for a balanced outcome that recognises the role of science and innovation in agriculture. Hybrid rice is a proven solution to meet the dual challenges of increasing productivity and conserving natural resources. It offers 5-6 quintals more yield per acre, and short-duration varieties mature faster.' 'These hybrids support Direct Seeded Rice practices, which reduce water use by 30 per cent and lower emissions. They are also bred for better tolerance to abiotic stress and resistance to major pests, helping farmers manage risks more effectively. All hybrids currently available in the market have undergone rigorous three-year trials under ICAR's All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project and comply with national milling standards, including the 67 per cent Out Turn Ratio mandated by the Food Corporation of India,' said Rana who is also the MD and CEO of Savannah Seeds. 'We remain committed to working with the Government of Punjab, central regulators, and other stakeholders to build an ecosystem that empowers farmers with high-quality seeds and advanced biotech tools while contributing to sustainability, groundwater conservation, and food security,' he added. As the days pass, anxiety continues to mount among both farmers and seed dealers. 'Justice delayed is justice denied. We hope we don't have to face that situation,' said a farmer
