From Today's Papers - 15 Jul 2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140715/nation.htm#20

 Smaller version of BrahMos missile on cards

New Delhi, July 14

Indo-Russian joint venture firm BrahMos Aerospace today said it was developing a smaller version of the 290-km supersonic cruise missile for enabling its deployment on submarines and smaller fighter aircraft such as MiG 29K.

Addressing a gathering while launching his book “The Path Unexplored”, BrahMos Aerospace chief A Sivathanu Pillai said the firm was preparing for the test-firing of the air-launched version of the missile by the yearend. “The BrahMos-Mini would be developed by reducing the size of the booster and the engine and reducing its weight. The missile would then be ready for deployment on submarines and smaller fighter aircraft,” he said. — PTI

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140715/nation.htm#7

 Coast Guard rescues 11 crew from cargo ship off Raigad

Mumbai, July 14

In a daring operation, the Indian Coast Guard braved stormy weather on Monday to rescue 11 out of 16 crewmen from a drifting cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea off Maharashtra’s Raigad, an official said here.

At 11.20 am, the Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre here received a call that the ship MV Priyanka was tilting dangerously around three km off Revdanda Port in Raigad.

There were a total of 16 Indian crewmen on the vessel which had left Mumbai port Sunday with a cargo of 1,900 tonnes of iron pellets.

Early Monday, the vessel broke anchor near Revdanda and started drifting due to the inclement weather, rough sea, strong winds and heavy rain.

The Coast Guard immediately deployed a Chetak helicopter from Mumbai for the rescue mission, and the personnel managed to airlift 11 of the crew.

It was later learnt that five others had abandoned the vessel on a life raft after it (the vessel) tilted precariously. The crewmen were handed over to the local authorities. — IANS

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140715/nation.htm#14

 Indian warships in Russia for naval wargames

New Delhi, July 14

Three Indian Navy warships on Monday entered Vladivostok in Russia for the INDRA series of naval wargames with that country. After the exercises with the Russian navy, the warships will proceed to the Pacific Ocean where they will hold the multilateral ‘Malabar’ series exercises with the US and Japanese Navy there. “After travelling over 5,000 nautical miles, three Indian Navy warships, including the Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvijay, stealth frigate INS Shivalik and fleet tanker INS Shakti, today entered the Russian port of Vladivostok,” a Navy spokesperson said.

 India and Russia hold the INDRA series of exercises between their navies and armies where they practice counter-terrorism manouveres and further improve their inter-operability. For the multinational Malabar series wargames, India had invited Japan to participate in this year’s edition of the wargames during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to New Delhi in January. India had decided against making the Malabar series exercises multilateral after China opposed the presence of Japan, Singapore and Australia in the naval war games in the 2007 edition held close to the Japanese waters. India and the United States have held over 60 exercises between their armed forces. — PTI 

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/army-chief-felicitates-photographic-officer-114071401091_1.html

Army Chief felicitates photographic officer

Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh, who is on a farewell visit to Jammu and Kashmir ahead of his retirement, today felicitated a photographic officer besides appreciating the contribution of various other personnel.

Gen Singh decorated Shib Narayan Acharya, Photographic Officer of Public Relations Office, Ministry of Defence, Jammu with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Card and Badge on the spot for the selfless dedication to the country and his professional work rendered to the organisation, a defence spokesman said here.

Gen Singh also appreciated the services of the staff of PRO (Defence), Jammu.

The Army Chief is visiting various Army formations before he retires on July 31.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/army-starts-tree-plantation-drive-in-manipur-114071400992_1.html

Army starts tree plantation drive in Manipur

To preserve the rich biodiversity of Manipur, the Army today started a drive to plant 20,000 saplings of fruit bearing and wood trees.

"The plantation drive is based on collaborative efforts between security forces and locals of the area. Schools, colleges and youth organisations of the area will be involved in the process," a defence release said.

Jawans of the Red Shield Division launched the tree plantation drive in Bishnupur and Tamenglong districts during the day and would continue this fortnight.

Fruit trees would be planted in compounds of local residents whereas other shade/wood trees would cover deforested areas in parts of the valley and remote hill areas including Khoupum Valley, the release said.

In addition to the plantation drive, local residents have also been urged to clean their surroundings and community areas, the release added.