In a ceremony rich with military tradition, Lieutenant General D S Rana, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, PhD, officially assumed the role of the 23rd Colonel of the Regiment of the Garhwal Rifles at the Regimental Centre in Lansdowne. Lt Gen Rana, who is currently serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), took over the ceremonial baton from outgoing Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Vice Chief of Army Staff.

The formal handover was marked by a grand military ceremony, including a Guard of Honour and a solemn wreath-laying at the War Memorial, paying tribute to the fallen heroes of the regiment. The Garhwal Rifles, with its 27 battalions including a Scouts Battalion, has a distinguished legacy dating back to its contributions in World War I and major post-independence operations, including the 1962 conflict with China.

Lt Gen D S Rana brings vast operational and strategic experience to the role, having previously served as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency. His appointment is viewed as a move to enhance the regiment’s readiness and adaptiveness in an era of evolving warfare and persistent border challenges, especially along India’s northern frontier.

The Garhwal Rifles Regiment, known for its disciplined ethos and decorated history, holds deep cultural ties with the Garhwali community of Uttarakhand. Over the decades, its soldiers have shown extraordinary valor, with more than 25,000 casualties recorded in multiple wars, underlining the regiment’s role as a pillar of India’s military strength.

As Lt Gen Rana takes charge, there is renewed focus on fortifying the regiment’s capabilities in the broader context of India’s Indo-Pacific defense outlook. Military leaders at the event expressed confidence in his leadership, which is expected to reinforce the Garhwal Rifles’ operational excellence and continued contribution to national security.

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is set to mark its 110th Foundation Day on June 30 with a landmark collaboration with the Indian Army’s Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School under the Ministry of Defence. As part of this initiative, ZSI researchers will conduct a scientific study of edible wildlife in the remote regions of the northeastern Himalayas.

ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee announced the partnership during a press conference on Thursday, stating that the study will focus on identifying and documenting animal species with high nutritional value that are consumed in the region. The research aims to support sustainable living practices and enhance food security in high-altitude, insurgency-prone areas.

In addition to the MoU with the Army, ZSI will also sign an agreement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to strengthen global conservation efforts. The Foundation Day event will be attended by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who will inaugurate the Animal Taxonomy Summit-2025.

The three-day summit, from July 1 to July 3, will bring together over 500 delegates from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Ghana. The event will feature 22 keynote lectures and 170 poster presentations focusing on taxonomy, systematics, and biodiversity conservation. The summit will conclude with actionable recommendations to be submitted to the Government of India.

The celebrations will also include the release of Animal Discoveries-2024, documenting over 600 new species added to Indian and global faunal records, along with Plant Discoveries-2024 and Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats. An updated version of the Checklist of Fauna of India, listing 105,244 species and subspecies—from protists to mammals—will also be unveiled. The checklist has been curated by Dr. Banerjee and a team of 185 experts, with special emphasis on insect biodiversity.

As part of the Foundation Day activities, ZSI will host the finale of a 110-hour Hackathon on Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change. From 205 participating teams across 16 regional centers, the top five will compete by presenting innovative solutions to pressing ecological challenges.

The festivities will conclude with a cultural programme aimed at engaging the public and raising awareness about India’s rich biodiversity and the urgent need for its preservation.

The Indian Army’s Northern Command, Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, showcased heightened operational readiness during a comprehensive review of the Strategic Strikers formation at its Udhampur headquarters.

During the review, he commended the troops for their synchronized training protocols and emphasized the importance of dynamic, situation-specific operational planning to meet evolving challenges along India’s borders with China and Pakistan.

The inspection highlighted the Northern Command’s critical role in national defense, overseeing operations through the XIV, XV, and XVI Corps. Originally re-established in 1972, the Command remains at the forefront of India’s military strategy, particularly in safeguarding volatile sectors across the northern frontier.

Lt Gen Sharma’s review comes against the backdrop of rising global security tensions, notably the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Defense experts note that such international developments could have ripple effects on regional stability, necessitating heightened vigilance along India’s sensitive borders.

Under Lt Gen Sharma’s leadership, the Command is aligning its strategy with modern combat doctrines and integrated warfare principles. Sources within the military indicated that the reviewed formations are now incorporating advanced tactical maneuvers, including doctrines similar to “blitzkrieg” and “bull horn formation,” which focus on swift deployment and coordinated attacks.

The emphasis on technological advancement and combat readiness underlines India’s commitment to strengthening its northern defenses in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment. With Lt Gen Sharma at the helm, the Northern Command is positioned to act as a strategic shield, ensuring operational superiority across the region.