by Editor | Aug 23, 2024 | News, Politics
Jeddah: A passionate climber, Bandaru Annapurna first started climbing nearby ghats in her native place near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh following a long dilemma over whether girls can also climb mountains which was predominantly a pursuit for boys only according to social norms at that time.
Annapurna, who works now as a teacher in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, scaled the highest peak of Europe, Mount Elbrus, located in Russia on Monday. Several Telugu expatriate community members celebrated her achievement.
Determined to climb Seven Summits in the world, Annapurna says it was made possible only after her marriage with Mahesh Reddy, who believes in equal rights for women and, strong advocate of women independence.
Growing up in a rural environment where women were subject to limitations and often curtailed her adventurous spirit. She said that it was her husband’s courage while living in Saudi Arabia that she decided to trek Europe’s largest mountain.
“Started trekking by climbing the hills around Tadepalli in Guntur, I summited mountain Kedarkanath in peak of Himalayas in Uttarakhand, 12, 500 ft high, in 2020,” revealed Annapurna. Last year, she ventured into Africa where she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, 19,341 ft high. Mount Kilimanjaro is the largest free-standing mountain in the world and is one of the seven summits, she said.
by Editor | Aug 23, 2024 | News, Politics
Washington: India and the US have entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) that will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs, the Pentagon said in a statement.
The deal between the US Department of Defense (DoD) and India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) was signed on Thursday by Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, on behalf of the DoD, and Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions), on behalf of the MoD.
Through the SOSA, the US and India agree to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote the national defence, the DoD said in a statement.
“This Security of Supply Arrangement represents a pivotal moment in the US-India Major Defense Partner relationship and will be a key factor in strengthening the US-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI),” said Ramdass.
According to DoD, in the SOSA, the US and India commit to support one another’s priority delivery requests for procurement of critical national defence resources. The US will provide India assurances under the US Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), with program determinations by DoD and rating authorisation by the Department of Commerce (DOC). India will in turn establish a government-industry Code of Conduct with its industrial base, where Indian firms will voluntarily agree to make every reasonable effort to provide the US priority support.
SOSAs are an important mechanism for DoD to strengthen interoperability with US defence trade partners. The Arrangements institute working groups, establish communication mechanisms, streamline DoD processes, and proactively act to allay anticipated supply chain issues in peacetime, emergency, and armed conflict. They are also a useful tool in developing investment strategies to ensure redundancy and security.
by Editor | Aug 23, 2024 | News, Politics
New Delhi: India is set to celebrate its first-ever National Space Day on Friday on the theme “Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga”.
On 23 August 2023, India achieved a historic milestone when the Chandrayaan-3 lander completed a soft landing on the moon. This remarkable accomplishment made India the 4th country to accomplish this feat and the 1st to land on the lunar South Pole. In recognition of this achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared August 23 as National Space Day.
Taking to social media platform X, Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, Nitin Gadkari, and Dr Mansukh Mandaviya expressed joy over India’s space achievements and gratitude towards PM Modi.
“Today, we celebrate ISRO’s incredible journey on National Space Day. From transporting rocket components on bullock carts to landing on the Moon’s South Pole, India’s space program has reached new heights. With Indian Oil’s Cryogenics playing a key role, our space saga continues under PM @narendramodi ji’s visionary leadership as we prepare for Gaganyaan in 2024,” Hardeep Singh Puri posted on X.
“On this #NationalSpaceDay, let’s celebrate ‘s cosmic strides, from #Chandrayaan-3’s lunar triumph to the awe-inspiring #Aditya-L1 #solar mission. We salute the brilliance of our scientists and the @isro crew who make India’s cosmic dreams a reality. With upcoming missions like #Gaganyaan, India is set to reach even greater heights. Here’s to our space pioneers and the boundless frontiers they continue to explore! Celebrate National Space Day on 23 August 2024! Theme: “Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga” Space exploration shapes our world and fuels our imagination. Join us in honouring the incredible journey of India’s space endeavours and their impact on our lives. Let’s come together with pride and celebrate this monumental day!” wrote Nitin Gadkari on X.
by Editor | Aug 23, 2024 | News, Politics
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday demanded the withdrawal of the cases against those who had protested in Badlapur against the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls at a local school.
Addressing a news conference, Thackeray said the August 24 ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ called by the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is against “perversion” and urged people cutting across caste and religion to participate in it.
He said the bandh should be “strictly” followed till 2 pm, ensuring that emergency services remain operational.
A massive protest rocked Badlapur town in Thane district on Tuesday after thousands of people hit the streets and spilled onto railway tracks to protest the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant at a local school.
At least 25 police personnel were injured in the incidents of stone-pelting at the railway station and other parts of Badlapur during the protest. Police have arrested 72 persons in connection with the violence during the stir.
by Editor | Aug 23, 2024 | News, Politics
Kathmandu: At least 11 people were killed after an Indian-registered passenger bus with 40 passengers on board plunged into the Marsyangdi River in central Nepal on Friday, according to a media report.
The accident took place at Aaina Pahara in Tanahun district, Myrepublica.com reported.
A team of 45 Armed Police Force personnel led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Madhav Paudel from the Armed Police Force Nepal Disaster Management Training School has already reached the accident site and is carrying out the rescue operation.
