A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held today at the Parsi and Zoroastrian Cemetery in Ooty to mark the 17th death anniversary of Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw. Known as one of India’s most revered military leaders, Manekshaw passed away on June 27, 2008, and played a decisive role in India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.

Military officials and members of the Parsi community gathered to pay tribute to the former Chief of Army Staff, who became India’s first Field Marshal in January 1973. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. The ceremony was conducted with full military honors and was accompanied by traditional Zoroastrian customs at the resting site.

The event also served as a moment of reflection on Manekshaw’s legacy—his strategic foresight, sharp wit, and unwavering commitment to duty. Despite facing initial opposition from within the military establishment regarding his promotion, Manekshaw rose to become a unifying figure in India’s defense history.

The cemetery, decorated with floral tributes, offered a serene setting for the remembrance. The Parsi burial practices observed there emphasize ecological harmony and reflect the community’s spiritual beliefs. With the Parsi population in India estimated at around 60,000 as per the 2011 Census, the community remains a vital thread in the country’s diverse cultural fabric.

Field Marshal Manekshaw’s leadership and legacy continue to inspire India’s armed forces, symbolizing courage, professionalism, and service to the nation.

Lieutenant General Karanbir Singh Brar, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Dakshin Bharat Area, recently completed a two-day visit to the Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area headquarters and various units of the Bangalore Military Station. The visit, held on June 24 and 25, focused on strengthening troop engagement, honoring fallen heroes, and reinforcing the Indian Army’s modernization agenda.

Lt Gen Brar began his tour by paying homage at a memorial dedicated to soldiers who laid down their lives in service. His gesture reflected the Indian Army’s longstanding tradition of honoring the supreme sacrifice of its personnel. Since independence, over 26,000 Indian soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice, and memorial visits like this continue to inspire morale and national remembrance.

A major theme of the visit was technological transformation within the Army, in line with the ongoing “Year of Technology Absorption” initiative. This campaign, part of a larger $20 billion modernization roadmap laid out in 2021, aims to equip India’s 1.2 million-strong military with cutting-edge capabilities. During his interactions with officers and soldiers, Lt Gen Brar emphasized the need to embrace innovation, promote indigenization, and prepare for the future of warfare.

The Dakshin Bharat Area, formerly known as the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area, plays a crucial role in southern India’s defense architecture. Lt Gen Brar, who recently assumed command from Lt Gen Ananthanarayan Arun, continues a legacy of strong leadership and operational oversight in the region.

The visit not only reinforced the Indian Army’s commitment to technological advancement but also highlighted its dedication to honoring the legacy and sacrifices of its soldiers. As India faces dynamic security challenges, leadership engagement at the ground level remains vital to fostering readiness, innovation, and national pride.

In a significant development for India’s defense healthcare framework, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the Director General Medical Services, conducted an official visit to the 23 Wing Air Force on June 24. As the first woman to hold this prestigious post since her appointment in 2023, her presence symbolizes a new chapter in leadership and medical preparedness within the Indian Armed Forces.

During the visit, Surg Vice Adm Sarin undertook a comprehensive inspection of the Station Medical Centre, evaluating the facility’s infrastructure, clinical standards, and operational preparedness. She interacted with medical personnel, acknowledged their service, and reinforced the importance of high-quality, mission-ready care in military operations.

With a distinguished 36-year career in the Armed Forces Medical Services and advanced expertise in Radiodiagnosis, Radiation Oncology, and Gamma Knife Surgery, Surg Vice Adm Sarin brings both clinical and administrative depth. Her training at premier institutions like Tata Memorial Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh has equipped her to lead strategic health assessments across the armed forces.

The 23 Wing, with historical ties to the famed “Flying Tigers” and current roles in combat search and rescue, plays a vital role in India’s aerial defense. The visit highlights the crucial synergy between frontline combat units and their medical support systems. Global defense studies have increasingly emphasized this integration as a key determinant of operational success in modern warfare.

Previously serving as Command Medical Officer for Southern and Western Naval Commands and as the Commanding Officer of INHS Asvini, Surg Vice Adm Sarin’s leadership continues to set a precedent for evolving healthcare standards across defense institutions.

This historic visit not only reflects a deep commitment to medical excellence but also reinforces the growing role of women in the upper echelons of India’s military leadership.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has officially inducted ‘Adamya’, the first Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) under an eight-vessel project being developed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The commissioning took place in Goa and marks a significant addition to the ICG’s fleet, bringing enhanced technological capability and indigenous innovation to the forefront of maritime operations.

‘Adamya’ is the first FPV in the ICG fleet to be fitted with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPPs) and indigenously developed gearboxes. These systems improve the vessel’s maneuverability, operational adaptability, and overall performance at sea, especially in high-intensity scenarios involving coastal surveillance and quick-response missions.

Equipped with modern weaponry and systems, the vessel features a 30mm CRN-91 gun, two 12.7mm stabilized remote-control guns integrated with fire control systems, an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), and an Automated Power Management System (APMS). Together, these advanced systems will significantly enhance the Coast Guard’s operational readiness and precision in enforcing maritime law, conducting rescue operations, and safeguarding India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Built entirely by GSL, the vessel showcases India’s growing strength in indigenous shipbuilding and aligns with the national goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Once all eight FPVs are delivered, the ICG’s rapid response capabilities will be further bolstered, enabling faster interventions during emergencies and improved maritime domain awareness.

The induction of ‘Adamya’ not only strengthens India’s coastal defense infrastructure but also underscores the strategic emphasis on modernizing the Coast Guard fleet with homegrown, technologically advanced platforms.

Rear Admiral V Ganapathy has officially taken over as Commandant of the Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) in Pune, marking a pivotal moment for one of India’s most advanced tri-service institutions focused on military technology and innovation. The leadership change was formalized in a ceremony attended by top military officials, including Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

Rear Admiral Ganapathy, known for his technical acumen and strategic insight, previously served as Chief Staff Officer (Technical) at the Eastern Naval Command. He was awarded the prestigious Nau Sena Medal in 2018 for his exceptional contributions to naval technical operations. His appointment comes at a time when MILIT is playing an increasingly central role in shaping India’s future military preparedness, especially in light of modern security threats and rising tensions along the country’s borders.

The Military Institute of Technology, established in 2012 and integrated into the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff in 2015, serves as the cornerstone of India’s tri-service training in emerging defense technologies. The institution is crucial in equipping officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force with advanced knowledge in areas such as cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and unmanned systems.

Rear Admiral Ganapathy’s leadership is expected to further strengthen the institute’s mission in the context of India’s broader defense modernization agenda. The government’s increased budgetary focus—allocating $5.25 billion for defense R&D in 2024–25—highlights the growing importance of technical expertise in future combat scenarios.

The event also reaffirmed the evolving role of the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, a position established in 2019 to enhance coordination among the three services. The transition at MILIT is seen as another step in aligning India’s military training institutions with its long-term strategic objectives.

With Rear Admiral Ganapathy at the helm, MILIT is poised to continue its leadership in fostering inter-service synergy and driving innovation across India’s defense landscape.

A high-value terrorist affiliated with the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, identified as Maulvi, has been gunned down by Indian security forces in the Bihali area of Basantgarh, Udhampur district. The elimination comes as part of the ongoing Operation Bihali, a joint counter-terror operation launched earlier this week by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police.

The operation was initiated based on specific intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of foreign-trained militants in the dense forested region. Contact was established swiftly, triggering a fierce gunfight. Security officials confirmed that Maulvi, believed to be a key planner behind recent infiltration attempts, was neutralized during the intense exchange of fire.

The timing of the operation is significant, occurring just days before the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which attracts lakhs of devotees to the Union Territory. Intelligence agencies had earlier issued alerts about possible disruptions by terror elements in the lead-up to the pilgrimage.

Sources within the security establishment described Maulvi as a highly radicalized foreign terrorist who had infiltrated across the Line of Control (LoC) earlier this year. His presence in Udhampur, a relatively peaceful district in recent years, had raised red flags within the counter-terror grid.

The joint force continues to comb the surrounding area to ensure there are no remaining threats, with the operation still active as of the latest update.

Operation Bihali is being hailed as a preemptive success in thwarting potential attacks and reinforces the readiness of Indian security forces to ensure a secure environment for both local residents and pilgrims. Further updates are expected as clearance operations progress in the region.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, becoming the first Indian to set foot on the orbital laboratory in over four decades.

The Dragon capsule, launched as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), completed a flawless docking—referred to as a “soft capture”—with the ISS on Thursday. The journey began a day earlier from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.

Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 represents a landmark moment for India’s space journey, reconnecting the nation with human spaceflight since the historic mission of Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

The Ax-4 mission features an international team of astronauts led by Peggy Whitson, the most experienced American astronaut to date and now a mission commander for Axiom Space. Alongside Shukla, the crew includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a radiation specialist from Poland and a project astronaut for the European Space Agency, and Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer from Hungary.

Over the next two weeks, the crew will carry out a comprehensive range of scientific investigations aboard the ISS. These include research in microgravity effects on biology, materials science, and next-generation space technologies—contributing to both commercial space initiatives and international scientific collaboration.

This mission marks a significant step forward in India’s aspirations for future human space exploration, especially as ISRO gears up for its indigenous Gaganyaan mission. Shukla’s journey also reflects the growing role of international partnerships and private spaceflight in shaping the next chapter of space research.

As Shubhanshu Shukla begins his stay aboard the ISS, the mission underscores both a personal achievement and a renewed chapter for India in the global space community.