Latest news with #Visakhapatnam
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
India's First Dual-Coast Submarine Manufacturing: Mazagon Dock, Hindustan Shipyard to sign historic pact
New Delhi: In a landmark development for the domestic defence sector, state-run shipbuilders Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) are poised to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly build submarines—establishing the country's first-ever dual-coast submarine production capability. The collaboration marks a strategic push under the Narendra Modi government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to ramp up indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. It will significantly enhance the country's capacity to produce advanced submarines for the Indian Navy. Mumbai-based MDL has a proven track record of building both Shishumar-class and the more recent Scorpene-class submarines under technology partnerships. It is currently in the fray for the Rs 45,000-crore Project 75(I) submarine tender, in collaboration with German submarine maker TKMS. HSL, headquartered in Visakhapatnam on the east coast, has the unique distinction of being the only Indian shipyard to have completed a full-scale submarine modernisation—the complex refit of INS Sindhukirti. It continues to handle major refits and overhauls for the Navy's underwater fleet. This dual-yard initiative fulfills a long-standing strategic vision dating back to 1999, which called for establishing a submarine-building facility on the east coast to complement the west coast's capabilities. The Indian Navy has projected a requirement for at least 24 submarines to counter increasing maritime threats and assert dominance in the Indo-Pacific. Given the complexity and long timelines associated with submarine construction, the MDL-HSL partnership will be crucial in accelerating delivery schedules, ensuring production continuity, and mitigating risks associated with single-yard dependence. Operation Sindoor—an extensive underwater surveillance and deterrence exercise conducted by the Navy—has highlighted the critical role of submarines in safeguarding India's maritime interests. The dual-coast manufacturing strategy is expected to significantly enhance India's underwater combat readiness and aligns with its broader ambition to emerge as a dominant Blue Water Navy with reach across the Indo-Pacific region. With this move, India takes a decisive step toward creating a robust, self-reliant ecosystem in underwater warfare platforms, securing not just its coastlines but also its strategic maritime interests far beyond.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
81 pass out from IIM-V's first biz mgmt programme
Visakhapatnam: The Indian Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam (IIM-V) conducted the valedictory session for the inaugural batch of the (EPBM) on Sunday. The programme, tailored for mid- and senior-level professionals, saw the participation of 81 representing diverse industries across India, with the cohort averaging a 15 years of work experience. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The programme culminated in a three-day campus immersion, beginning from May 16. Addressing the participants, Prof Sushil Kumar, programme director, and Prof Amit Shankar, co-director, said that the ultimate objective of such programmes is sustained professional performance. "The EPBM was designed with a focus on the conceptual dilemmas and real-world challenges faced by today's ," they noted. IIM-V director, Prof M Chandrasekhar, also addressed the cohort. He explained the importance of the core values of humility, honesty, harmony, and humanity. He urged participants to nurture a constant hunger for learning, observing that excellence is a moving target requiring continuous effort. "In today's dynamic business environment, success hinges not only on managing resources effectively but also on managing relationships. Programmes like the EPBM offer professionals a valuable degree of control over the future, equipping them with the mindset and tools needed to lead," said Prof Chandrasekhar. According to IIM-V officials, throughout the course, participants were taught a wide range of critical subjects, including general management, strategic thinking, finance, business communication, design thinking, artificial intelligence, and more. Later, participants shared their personal reflections. One participant said that he was leaving with a new mindset, while another noted that the programme significantly contributed to upskilling him and adding real values. "As an entrepreneur, I knew how to do business, but by the end of this programme, I now know how to do it systematically," remarked another participant.
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Rohit Sharma's Test Journey: An Average Middle-Order Batter To A Fine Opener
Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket and bid farewell to a fine career which was divided into two distinct halves. He was a very mediocre middle-order batter for the first 27 matches of his Test career with a batting average of just under 40. However, just like in ODI cricket, his fortunes changed dramatically when he was pushed to open for the country. From the Visakhapatnam Test of 2019 till the Dharamsala Test of 2024, Rohit - the Test batter averaged 50 and was not only one of the premier openers in the world but also the leading batter for India in the format. The Struggle Outside India Rohit had a great start to his Test career with two hundreds in his first two appearances for India - against West Indies in Kolkata and Mumbai - but then witnessed a major slump in whites for India. He scored just 1585 runs in his first 27 Tests at an average of 39.6. Rohit had a very high Failure Rate of almost 50% and crossed the three-figure mark on just one more occasion in this time-frame - against Sri Lanka in Nagpur in 2017 - four years after his debut! Although he still had outstanding returns at home, Rohit had shocking numbers outside India scoring just 816 runs in 18 away Tests at an average of 26.3. He did not have a ton outside the country. Though a modern great in limited-overs' cricket, he was at the crossroads of his long-form career and time was running out fast for Rohit - the batter. The Vizag Twin Tons Rohit had a horrendous tour of South Africa and that was followed by a tough tour Down Under. The clamour for seeing him out of the Test XI increased. With his career in the doldrums, Rohit was pushed to open for India as the very last resort. It turned out to be a masterstroke. Rohit made the opportunity count and how! He smashed a ton in both the innings of the series opener against South Africa in Vizag, becoming the sixth Indian batter to achieve the unique feat. The stunning performance gave rise to Rohit Sharma - the Test opener - and unleashed another chapter for India in Test cricket. The Domination as Test Opener From the Vizag Test in October, 2019 till the end of the home series against England in Dharamsala in March, 2024, Rohit - the Test opener - rose to new heights and was amongst the premier top-order batters in the world! He was the leading run-scorer amongst all openers in the world in this time-frame and piled on 2552 runs in 32 matches at an average of 50.03 with nine centuries and 7 fifties. Amongst the 15 openers who scored at least 1000 runs in a minimum of 10 Tests played in this period, only Dimuth Karunaratne (52.4) had a higher batting average than Rohit during this period. No opening batter recorded more tons than Rohit's 9 in these four and a half years. Timing & Context of Performances Rohit's rise as a Test opener coincided with a turbulent time for the Big 3 of India in the format. Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane had a poor run in 2020 and 2021. Kohli had an average of 26.1, Pujara - 26.2 and Rahane - 25 in this period and the onus was on Rohit to step up and make it count. Rohit towered above all other Indian batters in this time-frame (2020-2021) scoring 906 runs in just 11 Tests at an average of 47.68! His 161 off just 231 deliveries England in Chennai in 2021 (India were 0-1 down in the series) is widely rated amongst the greatest hundreds by any batter on Indian soil. Rohit played 20 Tests at home between Vizag, 2019 and Dharamsala, 2024 and hammered 1633 runs at an average of 54.43 and strike rate of 65.4. No Indian scored more runs than Rohit at home in this time-frame. The rate at which he scored his runs was also significant as not only did it demoralized the opposition bowlers but also created enough time for the Indian bowlers to bowl the opposition out twice. The Overseas Transformation While Rohit always had a fine record in India, the big change in his Test career came in his overseas performances. He scored 919 runs in 12 Tests at an average of 43.76 with two centuries and five fifties away from India in this period. From his opening partnership with Shubman Gill in Brisbane and Sydney to his 83 in the massive win at Lord's to finally recording his first overseas hundred - in the Oval Test of September 2021, Rohit the opener grew in stature and contributed to some of India's most significant wins away from home during this period. Rohit suffered a major dip in his form in the last eight Tests of his career and scored just 164 runs in 15 innings at an average of 10.93. These included two home Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand and three away Tests in Australia. However, his most significant achievement in the longest format was the contribution he made as opener - raising his game, under pressure when the chips were down for India in the period between October, 2019 and March, 2024 - a period when most of the other Indian batters struggled, Rohit rose to the occasion and scored tough runs when his team needed him the most. And that is his biggest legacy to Indian Test cricket!
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
INS Surat docks at Hazira on Gujarat Foundation Day
Surat: The Indian Naval Ship Surat arrived at Adani Port in Hazira on Thursday. The warship was welcomed by BJP MPs Mukesh Dalal and Govind Dholakia. The crest of INS Surat bears a likeness of the Hazira Lighthouse, built in 1836, and Asiatic lions, symbolising the heritage of Gujarat and the excellence of the Indian Navy . The crest of the warship was unveiled in Surat in Nov 2023 by chief minister Bhupendra Patel. From the 16th to 18th century, Surat was a major centre for shipbuilding and maritime trade. At one point, ships with the flags of 84 countries anchored in the waters of Surat. Surat played a vital role in maintaining maritime trade and commercial relations. To honour the shipbuilding legacy of Gujarat's commercial and historic city of Surat, the Indian Navy named the warship INS Surat. INS Surat is the fourth and final stealth guided missile destroyer of the Visakhapatnam class of the Navy's Project 15. Last year, the fourth warship of the class was named INS Surat. On this occasion, Dalal said, "The warship Surat is named after the city of Surat, Gujarat's economic capital. Surat is renowned for its ancient maritime heritage and legacy in shipbuilding and with this step by the Navy, the bond between Surat and the Indian Navy has grown stronger." Rajya Sabha MP Dholakia said, "Of the various warships India has, INS Surat is equipped with all advanced technologies. The arrival of this ship in Surat is a moment of pride for us." The general public will not be allowed entry to view the ship. Only invited guests are allowed entry at Adani Port, a statement from the govt said. INS Surat was built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Most of its equipment and resources are indigenously developed, reflecting the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India'. The ship is 167m in length, 17.4m in width and weighs 7,400 tonnes. It can travel at a speed of over 30 knots, which is more than 56kmph. INS Surat is capable of anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare. It is equipped with network-centric warfare capabilities and advanced sensors. It has a complement of 50 naval officers and 250 sailors. INS Surat is armed with 16 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for surface-to-surface attacks and 32 Barak-8 medium range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM) for surface-to-air defence. It also includes a 76mm super rapid gun mount (SRGM), four AK-630M close-in weapon systems, two twin L&T torpedo launchers and two L&T rocket launchers for anti-submarine warfare. INS Surat is equipped with the advanced MF-STAR radar. It can operate helicopters such as the Chetak, ALH (advanced light helicopter), Sea King and MH-60R at day and night. It features a railless helicopter traversing system and a visual aid landing system. On Jan 15, 2025, INS Surat was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, along with INS Nilgiri and INS Vagsheer. On April 24, INS Surat successfully conducted a test of the MRSAM in the Arabian Sea, accurately destroying a low-flying target approaching from the sea surface.
