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India Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Today
The looming Google Earth lens: How India's strategic assets lie exposed, vulnerable to harm
In today's digital age, the lines between convenience and vulnerability are increasingly blurred. Google Earth, a revolutionary mapping tool, has raised concerns about the security of India's military installations and critical infrastructure. The platform's high-resolution satellite imagery has made it possible for anyone with an internet connection to access detailed views of sensitive areas, including military bases, border posts and nuclear president Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was one of the first to sound the alarm about the potential dangers of Google Earth. He expressed concern over the detailed imagery of Indian military installations and nuclear plants, highlighting the risks of terrorism and security issue is not just about military threats from neighbouring countries but also about the potential of terrorist groups using this information for their nefarious designs. A military intelligence officer notes that while the armed forces may have their own means of accessing satellite images, terrorist groups may simply rely on Google Earth to survey army camps or paramilitary argue that India's sensitive sites should be blurred or pixelated on Google Earth, just like it is done for the US, Russia and China. The debate surrounding Google Earth also highlights the need for India to develop its own mapping systems and reduce dependence on public satellite imagery. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, India's ability to safeguard its national security will depend on its capability to adapt to emerging threats and technologies. The threat is clear and present. Type 'India-Pakistan Line of Control' into Google Earth and, in front of you, will appear hundreds of kilometres of the LOC. That too, in three dimensions, with zooming in possible up to 50 metres, allowing one to see Indian Army posts in extraordinary detail. At 50 metres of zoom-in, the images are so clear you can identify trucks stationed at posts, trenches, artillery positions and watchtowers with not that this satellite 3D imagery shows you one static post. Google Earth updates these images every year, sometimes even monthly. There's an option called 'Historical Imagery' that offers visuals of any location, from 1985 through March these continuous updates, it becomes effortless to analyse what construction has occurred on-site year by year, even month by month. Border Security Force (BSF) posts and watchtowers along the LOC are visible through these continually updated images—and can be easily National Remote Sensing Agency and the Advanced Data Processing Research Institute in Hyderabad are responsible for processing of satellite imagery for civil and military use. Both centres are located near the city's National Police Academy, where Dr Kalam, in an address in 2005, had expressed concern over vivid imagery of Indian military installations and nuclear plants on Google do India's clearly visible military installations on Google Earth threaten? A military intelligence officer explains: 'If we perceive Google Earth's unrestricted satellite imagery as a military threat, we are missing the context. China and Pakistan's armed forces have their means of accessing satellite images and don't need Google Earth. But does a small independent terrorist group in Kashmir or Maoists in places such as Gadchiroli or Sukma have their own satellites? If they need to survey an army camp or CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) checkpoint, Google Earth gives them ample opportunity. Who can say with certainty that Google Earth wasn't used in the recent Pahalgam terror attack? Or that Maoists aren't using it against our security forces?'Take the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, for example. Like other sensitive Indian sites, it can be viewed from 50 metres in high definition on Google Earth. The imagery is so detailed and regularly updated that an ordinary person could deduce from water flow patterns when each reactor is operational. In comparison, France's Cattenom nuclear power plant is blurred entirely on Google the strategic Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, formerly Wheeler Island, is a prime missile-testing site of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It has been off-limits to civilians since identified for defence use. Yet Google Earth allows close-up views, showing every construction detail, including testing pads. By contrast, Russia's secret military island, Jeannette Island, and Australia's Sand Island are entirely blacked out on Google greater concern is not military tensions with Pakistan or China but terrorism,' says an Indian security officer, who did not wish to be named. 'High-resolution maps in the public domain significantly increase security risks. Previously, Pakistani counter-intelligence relied on sleeper cells within India for reconnaissance. These individuals, well-integrated with civilians and sometimes even security personnel, weren't on any watchlist. But today, terrorists don't need that—Google Earth suffices.'Former BSF additional director general S.K. Sood raises a pertinent question. 'How much control does India have over foreign satellite imagery companies really? Sensitive Indian sites shouldn't be in the public domain, but how do we ensure satellite providers comply? If necessary, such apps should be banned entirely,' Sood tells INDIA TODAY.A military intelligence officer adds: 'After the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, Google's high-res images had alarmed security agencies. Talks with Google ensued, urging them to blur sensitive sites, just like other nations do. If unresolved, India must compel Google India to comply through guidelines.'advertisementAmit Singh, associate professor at the Special Centre for National Security Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, concurs. 'For years, Google has provided clear images of Indian defence sites. Modern warfare is about air strikes and missiles, and Google exposes our vulnerabilities. The government must pressure Google to pixelate or blur these images immediately. If not, threaten a ban. Google won't want to lose India's market.''Countries such as US, Russia, China and Japan mask sensitive sites. Why not India? We should develop our own mapping systems, like China and Russia have, to end reliance on Google,' he Operation Sindoor and the India-Pakistan military conflict, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued a directive on May 20 that commercial flights must keep windows closed during take-off and landing at the four defence-linked airports—Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar and Jaisalmer. Photos and videos were also banned during these phases to prevent leak of sensitive information. Yet, data on these airports, possibly including fighter stations, air defence systems and drone systems, is already in the public domain and updated the Department of Science And Technology's Survey of India, defence mapping is separate from civilian use. Strategic locations require defence ministry clearance. However, no guidelines addressed third-party providers like Google. The 2016 Pathankot attack revived the 'Geospatial Information Regulation Bill 2016,' but it wasn't passed. In 2021, a list of 51 categories prohibited naming or geo-tagging of locations like air force bases, naval bases, army bases, nuclear plants and LOC zones that could be zoomed in beyond 25 metres. Yet the same year, Google Maps allowed 20-metre Google's policy states sensitive sites won't be public. This applies in Russia, US, China, Japan and France, but seemingly not in TODAY sent queries to the Ministry of Defence and Google—no response has been received Survey of India officially stated to INDIA TODAY that controlling open platform satellite imagery was impractical and that blurring areas could draw attention to sensitive sites. Sharing coordinates with foreign providers for masking was a security risk source intelligence (OSINT) expert Sunny Nehra, who works with the DRDO and other agencies, notes: 'Google Earth remains a primary tool for countless OSINT researchers, later supplemented by paid services like Sentinel. For strategic research against India, neighbours start with Google Earth. Why is India only making requests to Google after so long? Why not take action?'Highlighting threats from free satellite imagery, Nehra adds: 'How will someone know precise coordinates for India's largest ammunition depot? Answer: Google Earth. Search Pulgaon CAD (central ammunition depot) and sensitive ammo depots appear. Such risks require immediate action.'Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends
India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
Neha Hi Abdul Hai: Bangladeshi Man Posing As Transgender Woman Arrested After 28 Years In India
In a shocking revelation, Neha, widely known as "Neha Kinnar" in Bhopal, was discovered to be Abdul Kalam, a Bangladeshi man who falsely posed as a transgender woman and lived illegally in India for nearly 30 years. His disguise was exposed after Bhopal police arrested him based on credible information received from a confidential informant. According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Kalam confessed during interrogation that he had entered India illegally at the age of 10, initially residing in Mumbai before relocating to Bhopal. He revealed that he had been living in India for about 28 years. During his stay in India, Kalam obtained forged documents, including an Aadhaar card, ration card, and an Indian passport through an agent, as reported by Dainik Jagran. Using these fraudulent documents, he reportedly traveled abroad, including to Bangladesh, and frequently changed residences within Bhopal's Budhwara area. Media reports also indicate that Kalam was involved in criminal activities in 2019, with a case registered against him. Due to the case's national security implications, the Intelligence Bureau and Anti-Terrorism Squad have joined the investigation, according to India Today. Kalam has been placed in 30-day detention as authorities prepare for his deportation to Bangladesh, which is expected to proceed once the probe into his decades-long illegal stay in Bhopal is complete. Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrant Arrested In Maharashtra In another development, in a major crackdown on illegal immigration and human trafficking, the Pune City Police arrested five Bangladeshi women from the Budhwar Peth red-light area in Pune. Acting on a specific tip-off, senior officers from the Faraskhana Police Station and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) launched a targeted operation in the red-light area on Friday. The arrested women were found to be residing illegally in India without valid documentation. A preliminary investigation revealed that they arrived in India illegally from Bangladesh, and while pretending to be residents of West Bengal, moved to Pune and engaged in prostitution. The women, aged between 20 and 28, had been using false identity documents to stay in India. The operation also uncovered the involvement of several traffickers who facilitated their illegal entry and stay in India. Police have registered cases under relevant sections of the Immigration Act, Passport Act, and human trafficking laws.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Police shocked as 'Neha' of Bhopal turns out to be Abdul from Bangladesh: Report
Abdul Kalam entered India at age 10 and spent two decades in Mumbai before moving to Bhopal's Budhwara area. There, he reportedly established his fake identity as 'Neha', a transgender person read more Bhopal Police have uncovered a potential illegal immigration and identity fraud scheme after detaining Abdul Kalam, a Bangladeshi national who lived in the city for eight years under the false identity of Neha, a transgender woman. Kalam entered India at age 10 and spent two decades in Mumbai before moving to Bhopal's Budhwara area. He then allegedly faked his identity as a transgender person and integrated into the local hijra community, according to a NDTV report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Using forged documents obtained through local agents, he secured an Aadhaar card, ration card, and even an Indian passport. Police say Kalam, known locally as 'Neha,' frequently changed residences within Budhwara and used his fake identity to travel abroad on the forged passport. Authorities verifying gender Authorities are now medically verifying his gender to determine if he is biologically transgender or used the identity to avoid detection. Investigations suggest Kalam was involved in transgender community activities in Maharashtra, raising suspicions of a broader network. Police are questioning whether other community members knowingly or unknowingly supported the deception. Two local youths accused of helping Kalam obtain fake documents are under interrogation, and authorities suspect this case may reveal a larger racket involving illegal immigration and document forgery. Call records and chats from Kalam's phone are being examined for further clues. Deportation proceedings begin Kalam has been detained for 30 days under the Foreigners Act. Additional DCP Shalini Dixit told reporters, 'He has been living in Bhopal for the last 8-10 years. Before that, he was in Maharashtra. We received a tip-off through an informer and initiated the identification process. He has also travelled to Bangladesh in the meantime, and we are awaiting reports from concerned departments.' Deportation proceedings have begun, but not before a thorough probe into Kalam's activities, movements, and connections in India and abroad. The case has alarmed law enforcement, raising serious questions about national security and how a foreign national could live undetected in a major Indian city for years using fraudulent documents. Bhopal Police, alongside central agencies, are working urgently to determine the full scope of the fraud and whether this is an isolated case or part of a larger, more concerning network. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Nationalist president on the move
All the president's mien matters. On June 30, the ancient city of Gorakhpur did not merely host the ceremonial arrival of India's President, but it bore witness to a deeper continuity. Beneath monsoon-laden skies, President Droupadi Murmu stepped into the sanctum of the Gorakhpur temple—the beating heart of the math presided over by Yogi Adityanath — not just for prayer, but to represent political will. Her visit was not a routine gesture of the State, but a ritual of affirmation—of faith, of governance, and of the quiet revolution underway in India's moral geography. Murmu's presidency—like that of Rajendra Prasad walking barefoot into shrines post-independence, or APJ Abdul Kalam igniting young minds in forgotten towns—marks a rare alignment of constitutional stature and popular symbolism. The President's travels do not merely decorate the calendar. Instead, they re-map India's emotional and political terrain, bringing the margins into the nation's beating heart. But hers is a presidency unlike few others'. In less than three years in office, she has spent 203 days travelling across the country. She has undertaken 110 trips, including 11 to her home state Odisha, and on other occasions to 34 other states and Union Territories—a record for any President. This is not ceremonial restlessness. It is a deliberate redrawing of the moral map of the republic, where forgotten towns, remote tribal regions, and small universities matter just as much as capital cities and international forums. To appreciate the significance of Murmu's presidency, one must place it in the long shadow of her predecessors'. There have been presidents who inspired widely through intellect—Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who held forth on the Bhagavad Gita at Oxford, and Zakir Husain, who championed Hindustani culture and basic education. Others, like K R Narayanan, stood as constitutional purists, refusing to toe the line when India flirted with instability. Even Kalam's travels, significant as they were, did not encompass the range or symbolism of Murmu's journeys. Where Kalam represented aspiration, Murmu embodies dignity reclaimed. Where Kalam reached towards the future, Murmu grounds herself in the soil of forgotten pasts: tribal pasts, feminine pasts, marginal pasts that the national narrative has too often edited out. From Karnataka to the Northeast, from Tamil Nadu to Telangana, from Kerala's convocation halls to the salt-swept coasts of Andhra Pradesh, her visits are not mere protocol; she undertakes pilgrimages of presence.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
19 books by CM on list for school libraries
Kolkata: Nineteen books authored by CM Mamata Banerjee will be among a set of 535 recommended by Bengal govt for school libraries. Bengal's 23 districts have been divided into five sets, and around 535 books listed for each. The list sent by the school education department includes the CM's books in all sets. Among the 150 books written by the CM, titles like 'Duare Sarkar', 'Sishumon', 'Kalam', 'Laha Pranam Mahiyashi', 'Duare Sarkar Apnar Amar', 'Amader Durgotsab' and 'Guldasta-E-Shayeri' have been recommended. A grant of Rs 20 crore has been allotted for the purchase of books; each state school will receive Rs 1 lakh.
