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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
'Pak Army chief has become a field marshal…we must have won': Indian Army chief mocks Pakistan, calls Op Sindoor a 'game of chess'
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has taken a direct jab at Pakistan's claim of success in the May clashes with India, following Operation Sindoor. Speaking at IIT Madras, he underlined the importance of shaping narratives in conflict."If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he'd say, 'My chief has become a field marshal. We must have won, that's why he's become a field marshal,'" he said, referring to Pakistan's promotion of its army chief, Asim Munir, to a five-star general and field marshal. General Dwivedi said the central government's decision to give the armed forces complete operational freedom was key to the mission's success. He recalled that on 23 April, a day after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 people, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the service chiefs, 'Enough is enough.'"This is the first time that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, 'Enough is enough.' All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done. The free hand was given 'you decide what is to be done.' That is the kind of confidence, political direction, and political clarity we saw for the first time," he said. "That is what raises your morale. That is how it helped our army commanders-in-chief to be on the ground and act as per their wisdom," he added. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, at the HAL Management Academy in Bengaluru, also credited the government's stance. 'A key reason for success was the presence of political will. There was very clear political will and very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us... If there were any constraints, they were self-made. The forces decided what the rules of engagement would be. We decided how we wanted to control the escalation. We had full freedom to plan and execute,' he said. General Dwivedi revealed that planning began on 23 April, and by 25 April the Northern Command had struck seven of nine high-value targets, eliminating several militants. He described the operation as 'playing chess' in a 'grey zone' — unpredictable and short of full-scale conventional warfare. 'In Op Sindoor, what we did, we played chess… What does it mean! It means that we did not know what step the enemy was going to take and what we were going to do. It was a gray zone. The gray zone is that we are not going for the conventional operations but we are doing something which is just short of the conventional operations," he explained. Dwivedi stressed that Operation Sindoor went beyond earlier operations like Uri and Balakot. In Uri, the goal was to hit launch pads, while Balakot targeted training camps inside Pakistan. Sindoor, he said, went 'wide and deep' into Pakistan's 'heartland' and struck key assets codenamed 'Nursery' and 'Masters.''This was the first time we hit the heartland. And our targets were Nursery and the Masters. And that's what came as a shocker to them," he said. Five of the targets were in Jammu and Kashmir, and four in Punjab. Two missions were carried out with the Indian Air Force. 'This test match stopped on the fourth day and it could have continued for fourteen days also, one forty days also, fourteen hundred days also, we don't know. So we have to be prepared for those kinds of things," Dwivedi retaliated with cross-border shelling, attempted drone strikes, and air defence measures. India's counter-attacks damaged radar systems, communication hubs, and airfields at 11 Pakistani bases, including the Nur Khan air a first official confirmation of the scale of damage to Pakistan's air assets, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said that Indian air defence systems shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one AEW&C/ELINT surveillance aircraft during the at the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture, Singh said, 'We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft, which could be either an aircraft or an AWC, which was taken at a distance of about 300 kilometres."These are the largest-ever surface-to-air kills recorded by India. The details of the aerial combat had not been disclosed earlier, leading to criticism from some opposition leaders.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
'We played chess': Op Sindoor saw India go wide and deep to rewrite the rules, says Army chief
For the first time, Army Chief has revealed how the Indian Army planned and executed Operation Sindoor, a high-risk mission carried out in April and May this year. He described the operation as a strategic 'chess game' fought in the military's 'grey zone,' just short of a conventional war. read more As part of its unprecedented diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, 59 MPs, former ministers and politicians, cutting across party lines, will be part of the seven delegations that will travel to 32 countries and the EU headquarters in Brussels. File image/PTI For the first time, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has publicly shared details of the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor. He spoke about the mission earlier this week while inaugurating Agnishodh, the Indian Army's research cell at IIT Madras. Operation in the 'grey zone' Comparing the operation to a game of chess, General Dwivedi said it took place in a 'grey zone' — unpredictable and just short of a full-scale conventional military engagement. 'In Op Sindoor, what we did, we played chess… What does it mean! It means that we did not know what step the enemy was going to take and what we were going to do. It was a gray zone. The gray zone is that we are not going for the conventional operations but we are doing something which is just short of the conventional operations,' he said. Planning began in late April Planning began on 23 April, when the three service chiefs and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh decided decisive action was needed. 'This is the time when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also said, I think enough is enough. And all the three chiefs were very clear, something had to be done. And the free hand was given, of course, that you decide what is to be done,' Dwivedi noted. By 25 April, the Northern Command had executed strikes on seven of nine high-value targets, eliminating several terrorists. How Sindoor differed from Uri and Balakot General Dwivedi stressed that Operation Sindoor differed from earlier missions like Uri and Balakot. Uri targeted launch pads to send a message, while the 2019 Balakot strikes aimed at training camps deep inside Pakistan. Sindoor, however, went 'wide and deep,' hitting further into enemy territory, what he called the 'heartland', and targeting key assets codenamed 'Nursery' and 'Masters.' 'This was the first time we hit the heartland. And our targets were Nursery and the Masters. And that's what came as a shocker to them,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Five of the targets were in Jammu and Kashmir and four in Punjab, with two missions carried out alongside the Indian Air Force. 'This test match stopped on the fourth day and it could have continued for fourteen days also, one forty days also, fourteen hundred days also, we don't know. So we have to be prepared for those kinds of things,' Dwivedi added. IAF confirms major aerial kills In a separate disclosure, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh revealed that during Operation Sindoor, India's air defence systems shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one AEW&C/ELINT surveillance aircraft — the largest-ever surface-to-air kills recorded by India. Speaking at the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture, Singh detailed the 7 May strikes that targeted terrorist infrastructure both near the border and inside Pakistan.
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
This Aberdeen nursery has just been named one of the top nurseries in Scotland for a FIFTH year in a row
Bright Horizons is proud to announce that 44 St Swithin Day Nursery and Preschool in Aberdeen has once again been recognised as one of the Top 20 Nurseries in Scotland by for 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year the nursery has received this honour, based on glowing and honest reviews from families. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This fantastic accolade builds on the nursery's recent 'Very Good' rating from the Care Inspectorate and reinforces its strong reputation for delivering high-quality early years care and education. Nursery Manager Kenzie said: "We're over the moon to be named one of the top nurseries in Scotland, it really means so much to us! What's even more special is that it's based on the feedback of our very own families! We work hard to create a caring and welcoming space, so to know that's how our families feel too is just lovely!" Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Day Nursery Award Badge At the heart of 44 St Swithin's success is Bright Horizons' nurture approach, which places strong relationships, emotional wellbeing, and child-led learning at the centre of everything. The team is committed to creating a calm, responsive, and inspiring environment where children feel secure, confident, and curious to explore the world around them. This recognition reflects the nursery's role in the Aberdeen community, offering local families not just a place for childcare, but a trusted, supportive space that champions each child's development and happiness. The annual Top 20 Nursery Awards recognise 20 of the top-rated nurseries in each region of the UK and the Top 20-day nursery groups in the UK based on reviews from parents and/or individuals responsible for a child. The awards are based on the individual and group review score, as of March 31st, 2025.
CTV News
12-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Get Growing: Overseeding 101
Winnipeg Watch Carla Hrycyna from St. Mary's Garden & Nursery shares quick tips on overseeding your lawn — when to do it, how to prep and what seed works best!
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
King Charles and Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf use 117-year-old spade with special meaning to plant 'beautiful' oak in Windsor
King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by fellow monarchs, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, for a special tree planting at Windsor tonight. The Swedish Oak is a gift from the Scandinavian sovereign to celebrate the British royals' coronation in May 2023 - two years on Tuesday. Quercus robur, to use its Latin name, is taking up residence in Home Park on the Windsor Estate. It has come from the Royal Nursery at Sollidan Palace, the Swedish Royal Family 's summer residence, and will be twinned with a Swedish oak which will be planted at the Royal Djurgarden in Stockholm. The two kings, accompanied by Queen Camilla, walked companionably down from the castle together, while Queen Silvia - who was using a crutch following surgery on her foot - arrived separately by car. Charles and Carl immediately began chatting to staff from the Crown Estate and their Swedish equivalents so enthusiastically that Queen Camilla was eventually forced to go up and give her husband a slight pat on the back to encourage him to come and help dig as they had another reception to go to. Laughing he eventually followed his wife to the spot where the tree was waiting to have the last few spades of soil dug in. The King told his friend and fellow monarch that he was 'busy planting lots of trees across the estate' and then invited him to take up a spade once used by his great-grandfather, King Gustavus V, to plant another oak tree in Windsor Great Park in 1908, which still survives today. A member of Crown Estate staff said: 'This spade was used to plant a tree by the king's great-grandfather in 1908 in Windsor Great Park and we went to see it the other day. It is doing very nicely.' After digging in several spades full, Charles said: 'I think that will probably do it. It may have some lumps in it.' King Carl started pushing the earth down with his foot, telling Charles: 'You know what's it like. The trick is to do this. You know the drill!' 'You do it well,' said Charles. Both kings also gave the tree a little shake for good luck. 'I am so glad you do that as well,' the king smiled. It was then the turn of the queens to be given a watering can each to finish off the job. 'There we are,' said Camilla, 'we are going to give it a good splash of water.' 'Put the whole lot in,' she said encouragingly to Queen Silvia. Charles and Carl appeared animated as they planted the tree in the Home Park of Windsor Castle 'On this side, darling, this side,' said King Charles. King Carl joined in : 'Yes, here, behind.' Carl was particularly glad to see the spade had been used by his great-grandfather. '1908!' he said delightedly. 'Can you see the tree from here?' Charles asked his staff, referring to the previous oak. There was even more tree-talk amongst the two sovereigns, with Charles assuring his Swedish counterpart: 'I shall keep a very good eye on it. If we are very lucky it will take to the soil and we will keep it watered. Thank you very much, you are so kind. Have you planted my tree?' He added, pointing to the castle: 'Don't worry, I can keep an eye on it from over there for you! ' As he turned to leave, Charles said as an aside: 'The good thing is that it is near the Pope's tree.' Staff explained that had been given as a gift by the late Pope Francis five years ago. The King thanked the Swedish royal family's gardeners for the tree, and Camilla said it was beautiful. Today was a jam-packed day for Charles and Camilla because, after the tree-planting, they dashed off to attend a Reception for the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association at Windsor Castle alongside the Prince of Wales. Prince William appeared in high spirits at the event, having just returned from his anniversary trip to the Isle of Mull with Kate. After meeting locals and visiting the location's tourist hotspots, William and Kate enjoyed a romantic getaway at a rented and isolated self-catering cottage for two - 14 years after they tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in 2011. Meanwhile, Sweden's longest-reigning King has had an equally busy past few days since he marked his 79th birthday at the Royal Palace in Stockholm yesterday. Celebrating among them was the newest member of the Swedish royal family, Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip's baby, Princess Ines Marie Lilian Silva. The occasion saw Princess Sofia of Sweden and Prince Carl Philip's newborn daughter, Princess Ines Marie Lilian Silvia, make her first public appearance on her grandfather King Carl XVI Gustaf's birthday. On the same day over in the UK, King Charles made a poignant message about his experience with cancer. In the message, the King described the 'daunting' and 'frightening' experience of being told you have cancer. In what has been described as his most 'poignant' and 'deeply personal' words about the illness fifteen months after his own diagnosis, the monarch also revealed he had taken inspiration from the late Dame Deborah James. She urged sufferers, he said, with moving magnificence to 'find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope.' His Majesty opened up in a message to fellow sufferers as they were invited to Buckingham Palace yesterday to recognise the incredible work of community-based cancer organisations. The King is himself still undergoing regular treatments as someone 'living with cancer', although aides say his recovery continues in a 'very positive direction, as reflected with the very full national and international diary programme' he is undertaking. The personally-penned message has added significance given that his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer within weeks of his own last year and underwent preventative chemotherapy. In his message, Charles took pains to personally thank those who so 'selflessly' work giving care, comfort and reassurance to the 390,000 people who receive a new cancer diagnosis across the UK each year - more than 1,000 a day -as well as those working to treat the disease, research cures and fundraise for them do do so. 'Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones,' he wrote. 'As one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity,' he wrote. 'It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years. 'And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits - that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.' He added with added poignancy: 'You have my whole family's deepest admiration and gratitude.' The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January last year following routine surgery for an enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace have not confirmed what form he has, but have ruled out it being connected with his prostate issue. They have also not disclosed what treatment he is still undertaking. But there is little doubt that Charles has been more open about his diagnosis and medical treatment than any other monarch in history.
