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New Indian Express
03-08-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Yes to life, no to drugs
JAMMU & KASHMIR : In view of the rise in drug abuse in Kashmir, the Indian Army has moved beyond its conventional role and joined hands with the civil administration and sports bodies in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, once hit by militancy, to organise two major initiatives—the mega sports festival 'Varmul Gindo 2025' and the cultural heritage event 'Kashur Riwaaj 2025'—to steer the youth away from the growing menace of drug addiction. 'Varmul Gindo' brought together more than 1,600 athletes from 75 local clubs to compete in over 20 disciplines, ranging from football to kabaddi, volleyball to martial arts, snooker to hockey, and from niche disciplines like powerlifting & fencing to women's rugby. The event, which was held across 12 venues in Baramulla, started on June 17 and ended on July 27. According to the organisers, the event witnessed significant participation from girls in sports like rugby, handball and kabaddi. 'The energy and discipline these games have instilled are precisely what our youth need at this critical time,' said Omar Kakroo, president of the Baramulla District Sports Association. 'We're building not just athletes but future leaders,' he said. According to Kakroo, the 'Varmul Gindo,' which was the brainchild of the Indian Army, was a unique sports event with mass participation. He noted that sports activities were not confined to one place or venue. 'All sports fields in Baramulla, from Pattan to Uri, close to the LoC, and from Rafiabad to Uri. It was not confined to Baramulla or a single ground. The whole district was covered, and even the sports events were held in rural areas.' A local resident, Abdul Jabbar, opined that it is imperative to hold such events, as they offer a constructive alternative to youngsters and steer them away from drug addiction. 'The participation of over 1,600 athletes in the event also showcases the talent of our youth. Our youth have talent. They just need platforms, coaching and guidance to showcase their talent and excel in sports,' he said. An Army official, wishing not to be named, said the Varmul Gindo sports festival provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
2 terrorists killed near LoC, infiltration bid foiled
File photo JAMMU: Soldiers gunned down two terrorists early Wednesday during a fierce gunfight near the LoC in Poonch district of J&K, foiling an infiltration attempt based on joint intelligence inputs from military and police sources. The shooting started after troops spotted suspicious movement in a forested area close to the LoC. 'The operation was based on credible inputs from military intelligence and J&K police regarding the presence of terrorists in the area,' said defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal. Troops found two assault rifles, a pistol with ammunition, hand grenades, IEDs, and a cache of other war-like stores, including medicines, a communication device, and logistical supplies. The area remains under cordon as a search operation continues. Wednesday's killings come days after three terrorists linked to the April 22 Pahalgam attack were shot dead in Srinagar under 'Op Mahadev' on July 28.
India Today
25-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Ties strong enough: India shrugs off anti-Modi post by Muizzu's brother-in-law
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday brushed aside media queries about a now-deleted social media post by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's brother-in-law regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the latter's visit. Misri said India is more focused on strengthening its positive relationship with the Maldives, nearly 10 months after Muizzu visited said that rather than looking back, India prefers to focus on the future, dismissing the now-deleted critical post about PM Modi by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's brother-in-law as mere "passing remarks."advertisementDismissing recent criticism from Muizzu's brother-in-law, Misri said, "Our ties are strong enough to withstand some of these passing remarks that have been made and have also withstood the test of time...I would prefer to look going with everything that has happened today and especially in the past 9-10 months since President Mohamed Muizzu visited India, the future is undoubtedly and unquestionably bright." The statements were made in response to a deleted social media post by Abdullah bin Mohammed Ibrahim, who referred to PM Modi as a "terrorist". PM Modi's visit to the Maldives resulted in several key agreements, including an extension of India's Line of Credit (LoC) to Rs 4,850 crore and kickstarting negotiations for an India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (IMFTA).Highlighting the importance of security cooperation in the Indian Ocean, Misri said, "Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu expressed his commitment to the importance that the Maldives attaches to security-related issues and the commitment of the two sides to continue to work together.""For us, it is always friendship first," PM Modi said in his media statement earlier today, adding the "roots of our relations are older than history, and as deep as the ocean."During his third official visit to the island nation, PM Modi also took part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations in the Maldives. He was warmly received by President Muizzu and other senior visit saw the inauguration of various development projects, including the handing over of 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale and the launch of roads and drainage projects in Addu City. These projects reflect India's commitment to supporting infrastructure development in the gratitude for the warm reception, PM Modi said, "India and the Maldives are making significant efforts to further strengthen their mutual relations."PM Modi also handed over 72 vehicles and equipment for use by the Maldives National Defence defence ministry building is a "concrete building of trust" and it is a symbol of our "strong partnership", the prime minister said."India will continue to support Maldives in the development of its defence capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal," he comments came against the backdrop of New Delhi's concerns over China's attempts to expand its influence over the his remarks, Modi said the Maldives holds an "important place" in both India's "Neighbourhood First" policy and its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision."India is also proud to be the most trusted friend of Maldives. Be it a disaster or a pandemic, India has always stood by as a 'first responder'," he said.- EndsInputs from PTIMust Watch
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India donates 1000 metric tonnes of rice and essential medicines to Cameroon
Yaounde [Cameroon], June 24 (ANI): India handed over 1000 metric tonnes of rice and essential medicines to Cameroon. Cameroon's Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and India's High Commissioner to Cameroon, Vijay Khanduja, presided over the ceremony on Monday to hand over rice and essential medicines. The Indian High Commission in Cameroon noted that this humanitarian gesture aims to support victims of floods that struck Cameroon's far north region in 2024. According to the statement, India, through this humanitarian support, reaffirmed its role as a reliable partner to Cameroon during challenging times and strengthened cooperation among nations of the Global South. In a post shared on Facebook, the Indian High Commission in Cameroon stated, 'Strengthening Friendship and Solidarity. A Handing-Over Ceremony was held in Yaounde today to officially mark the donation of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice and essential medicines from the Government of the Republic of India to the Government of the Republic of Cameroon. The ceremony was jointly presided over by H.E. Paul Atanga Niji, Minister of Territorial Administration of Cameroon, and H.E. Shri Vijay Khanduja, High Commissioner of India to Cameroon.' 'This humanitarian gesture is aimed at supporting victims of the devastating floods that struck the Far North Region of Cameroon in 2024, reflecting India's solidarity with the people of Cameroon during times of need. Through this humanitarian support, India reaffirms its role as a reliable partner to Cameroon during challenging times and strengthening cooperation among nations of the Global South,' it added. Earlier in April, India sent a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Cameroon. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the effort is in the spirit of a committed partnership with the Global South. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, 'India: A committed partner to the Global South. India sends food-grain assistance for the people of Cameroon. A consignment of 1000MT Rice departed today from Nhava Sheva Port to Cameroon.' Notably, India and Cameroon have friendly and cordial relations dating back to the latter's independence in 1960. India opened its resident High Commission in Yaounde in 2019. Earlier, in 2009, a USD 37.65 million Indian Line of Credit (LoC) for Cameroon, funding a project each of Rice and Maize Farm Plantation, was operationalised, and this project was completed in 2017, according to the Indian High Commission in Cameroon's statement. India has been supporting Cameroon's efforts in Capacity building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program since 1964. The Indian government also provides over 180 ITEC slots annually for capacity building in Cameroon. Three slots have been allocated to Cameroon under the Africa Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). (ANI)
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pak Says Simla Pact Is 'DEAD'; Says Kashmir No More Bilateral With India, LOC Now 'Ceasefire Line'
/ Jun 06, 2025, 08:33AM IST In a major policy shift, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared the 1972 Simla Agreement 'dead,' asserting that the Line of Control is now a ceasefire line per the 1948 UN stance. He added that Kashmir should now be addressed as an international issue, abandoning the long-held bilateral framework. Watch#SimlaAgreement #KashmirIssue #IndiaPakistan #LoC #KhawajaAsif #PahalgamAttack
