NEWS
Pallbearers carrying the mortal remains of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, entering his official residence at 10 Rajaji Marg, New Delhi on July 28, 2015.
Former President of India, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam passed away on 27 July 2015. He was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, when he collapsed at about 6.30 pm. He was rushed to the Bethany hospital, but the doctors there could not revive him. The doctors confirmed that death was caused due to a massive cardiac arrest.
Born on 15 October 1931 and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr Kalam studied physics and aerospace engineering. After graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. He started his career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army, but is said to have remained unconvinced by his choice of a job at DRDO. Kalam was also part of the INCOSPAR Committee working under Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned space scientist. In 1969, he was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980. Kalam had first started work on an expandable rocket project independently at DRDO in 1965. In1969, Kalam received the government’s approval and expanded the programme to include more engineers.
Closely involved in India’s civilian space program and military missile development, he came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He also played a pivotal organisational, technical, and political role in India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974. He was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.
MISSING DORNIER AIRCRAFT LOCATED
The recovery of Coast Guard Dornier 791 aircraft wreckage from the seabed off Tamil Nadu coast on 18 July 2015 was the result of ‘never say die’ spirit and the unrelenting efforts of Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and other agencies. It involved almost 700 hours of surface effort and nearly 200 hours of air effort by the Coast Guard, Navy, other specialised agencies of the centre and Reliance Industries Limited.
The ill-fated ICG Dornier CG-791 while on its routine night surveillance on 08 June 2015 suddenly disappeared from the radar located at Trichy when it was 32 miles north-east of Karaikal. At 2124 hours, the International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT) terminal on board also suddenly powered off. Promptly the Regional HQ (East) launched a massive search and rescue (SAR) operation code named ‘Op Talash’ to locate the aircraft.
33 days after the ICG aircraft went missing, wreckage of the aircraft was found at depths of 990 meters in position 17 nautical miles North East of Cuddolore by the Reliance vessel, Olympic Canyon, which recovered the debris from the sea bed. The operation mounted for the missing CG 791, with participation of large number of national agencies is unprecedented in the maritime SAR historyof India. Apart from ICG,the IN, IAF, NIOT, INCOIS, NRSA, Naval Physical
Oceanographical Laboratory, Naval Operations Data Processing & Analysis Centre, the Airport Authority Of India Limited, Coastal Security Group Tamil Nadu, Reliance Industries Limited & Omkar foundation have contributed to the undersea SAR mission. However, the role played by the IN submarine in locating the wreckage and more importantly by MSV Olympic Canyon in undertaking the mammoth task of salvage in rough sea conditions is very noteworthy.
FAST ATTACK CRAFT LAUNCHED AT GRSE, KOLKATA
Three Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (FO-WJFAC) for the Indian Navy were launched recently at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata by Mrs. Medha Murugesan, wife of Vice Admiral P Murugesan, AVSM, VSM, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. Invocations from Atharva Veda were recited and Mrs. Murugesan applied ‘Kumkum’ on all three ships and named these ships as ‘INS Tarmugli’, ‘INS Tilanchang’ and ‘INS Tihayu’. She wished the ships good luck and launched the vessels. These names are based on picturesque places in the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Vice Admiral P Murugesan, lauded the role of GRSE as a reliable partner in pursuing the national goal of ‘Make in India’ and its significant contribution towards meeting the Navy’s growing requirement of state-of-the art warships.These follow on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft powered by the latest 4000-series of MTU engines, along with advanced machinery control system and water jets and can attain a maximum speed of 35 Knots. The craft also has the latest communication equipment and radars for effective surveillance.These ships have higher power generating capacity of 280 kw, enhanced capacity of RO plant and many other features as compared to the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft already in service. The indigenous CRN 91 Gun with Optronic Pedestal gives them the requisite firepower to undertake their basic role of patrolling effectively. Two of these ships are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy by November 2015 and two more are expected to be delivered in 2016.
SPECIAL UNIFORM FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
Defence Materials and Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a Kanpur based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed special protective clothing for soldiers deployed in Extreme Cold Weather and Glacier Regions, where temperature drops to as low as –50 C. Also, various textiles based items have been developed for use to improve safety and operational efficiency of the personnel deployed at borders. The special protective items developed for Nuclear, Biological & Chemical (NBC) clothing include Suits, Gloves, Boots, Haversack, Casualty Bag Full & Half, and Decontamination Suit, which provide protection for 24 hours, mainly from chemical warfare agents. A Blast Protection Suit has been developed for mine clearing operation. It provides comfort, mobility and maximum protection against the blast of APNM-M14 mines from a distance of 30 cm. The Boot Anti-mine Equipment provides safety to defence personnel from explosion of landmine. Many of the protective items developed by DRDO and produced by ordnance factories have been inducted into Services.
NCC CADETS AND “YODDHAS” JOIN HANDS IN FIGHT AGAINST CANCER
Rahul Yadav is “a Yoddha” (fighter) fighting against cancer, who formed Yoddhas, an NGO, which was awarded by UNESCO. In an effort to inspire victory for those waging a brave fight against cancer, Yoddhas and NCC cadets of 2 Battalion, Delhi NCC, hosted an event aimed at raising awareness about cancer, its symptoms, treatment and prevention, on 08 August, at NCC Auditorium, Delhi Cantt.
Yoddha provides support for patients and their families through its blogs, awareness drives, conferences, street plays and other programmes. The organisation also acts as a source of information on treatment and other matters. Cadets of NCC, the largest youth organisation in the country, put up a song and dance programme on cancer and patriotism. A competition was also held to spread awareness about cancer. Maj Gen SN Yadav the Chief Guest, exhorted the NCCcadets to spread awareness about cancer. Dr Gayatri Bhatt, a cancer survivor and a doctor interacted with NCC cadets and replied to their queries. A similar event was organised by the NGO on 20 Jun 15 for more than 1500 NCC cadets who had gathered from all parts of Delhi for the summer camp on World Yoga Day.
