National
IAF chief warns more Pathankot-type terror attacks possible
Bengaluru, Sep 9 (IANS) Indian Air Force chief B.S. Dhanoa on Saturday hinted at more Pathankot-type terror attacks on military bases in the country.
“…The military will continue to get targeted, like it happened at Pathankot. They (terrorists) will try and surprise us by attacking in a totally new location,” he delivering the annual lecture in the memory of late IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre here.
A heavily-armed terror group from across the border attacked IAF’s Pathankot base on January 2, 2016, and seven security personnel were killed before the 10 terrorists were killed in a operation lasting for three days.
“Post Pathankot terrorist attacks last year, the IAF has carried out a series of measures to enhance its ability to protect,” said Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa.
Reiterating that the IAF had strengthened the defence of its bases, he said intense training had been carried out to counter ‘fidayeen’ attacks.
“As a service, we are prepared for a conflict at a very short notice,” he said.
Ruling out any large-scale terror attack on civil structure as in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Dhanoa said the military would be targeted.
“The possibility of a large-scale terror attack on civil infrastructure like it happened in Mumbai on 26/11, or on Parliament (on December 13, 2001), is slightly remote, as it will invite worldwide condemnation,” he said.
On the strategic environment, Dhanoa said on the northern border, there was a difference in the Indian and Chinese perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which is sometimes at “so much variation that it results in a standoff, which hopefully gets resolved”.
Referring to the recent standoff at Doklam, Dhanoa clarified that there was no airspace violation from either side as fighters on both sides maintain at least 10 km distance from the LAC.
China, however, maintains a continuous air presence in Tibet and the strength of its presence increases and decreases as per the exercises, he said.
“In case the relationship (between the countries) deteriorates, a buildup of infrastructure is the first step that anybody would take before they envisage any offensive operation in this sector,” he added.
Noting that the IAF was replacing its low-end weapons with indigenous ones, the Air Chief said the top-end weapons were imported.
“If we don’t import, our low-end weapons will not be able to survive. We need the top-of-the-line weapons to win the deep battles,” he said.
Reaffirming that the IAF was committed to indigenisation, he said the IAF does not pay only lip service to indigenization, as it paid with the lives of its test pilots and engineers.
“Since Independence, 17 air force pilots and engineers died in air accidents during testing of the indigenous aircraft,” he noted.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.