Author: Arijit Bose

Filling the Amphibious Gap: Navy’s New Plan for Island Defence

Arijit Bose

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is poised to significantly enhance its coastal defence, maritime surveillance, and search-and-rescue capabilities by wet-leasing four fixed-wing amphibious aircraft for a period of four years. The move, reported by defence sources, is aimed at rapidly addressing critical operational gaps across India’s vast maritime domain. To this end, the Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting responses from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or authorised lessors. Under the wet lease model, the selected vendor will provide not only the aircraft but also trained…

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From TEJAS to Rafale: Understanding the Maturity Gap in Fighter Fleets

Arijit Bose

New Delhi: In debates on military aviation acquisitions, attention often centres on induction timelines—the moment an aircraft formally enters service. However, defence experts note that induction is only the first step. The real measure of combat effectiveness lies in operational maturity, a phase that determines whether an aircraft can be deployed seamlessly, sustained over time, and fully integrated into combat doctrine. Operational maturity typically takes years after induction, encompassing pilot and ground crew proficiency, stable supply chains, weapons integration, software refinement, and tactical evolution. While induction marks formal acceptance, maturity…

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India to Procure 1,000 Rafael SPICE Air-to-Surface Missiles, Boosting Precision Strike Capability

Arijit Bose

New Delhi: India is set to procure around 1,000 Rafael SPICE air-to-surface precision-guided missiles, significantly strengthening its aerial strike capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges. The acquisition reflects New Delhi’s continued focus on enhancing standoff precision warfare and reducing vulnerability to electronic jamming. The SPICE (Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective) missile family is known for its advanced autonomous navigation and homing technology. Unlike GPS-dependent systems, SPICE uses an electro-optical seeker combined with real-time image-matching algorithms, allowing it to accurately strike targets with a circular error of less than three metres, even…

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LU Anthropology Department Hosts Prestigious Three-Day Joint Annual Conference on “Secondary Urbanization”

Arijit Bose

Lucknow :The Department of Anthropology at Lucknow University, in collaboration with the Indian Archaeological Society (IAS), the Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies (ISPQS), and the Human Ecology Society (HCS), recently hosted a prestigious three-day joint annual conference. Sponsored by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the conference focused on the theme of “Secondary Urbanization.” On the third day, technical sessions were held simultaneously across three key university venues: A.P. Sen Hall, K.P. Vimal Auditorium (Geology Department), and the Conference Hall of the Urdu Department. The opening session at…

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As India Marks National Road Safety Month, States Adopt SaveLIFE Foundation’s Science-Backed ‘Zero-Fatality’ Solutions

Arijit Bose

New Delhi: The grim figure of over 1.7 lakh annual road crash fatalities—which translates to more than 450 deaths every day—points to a nationwide road crash crisis that is exacting a heavy toll on India’s economy. The solution to this public health challenge lies in institutionalising science-backed improvements in our road infrastructure, trauma care framework, and policy ecosystem, pillars that anchor SaveLIFE Foundation’s (SLF) Zero-Fatality solutions that are being implemented across 100 national highways (Zero Fatality Corridor or ZFC Programme) and 100 districts (Zero Fatality District or ZFD Programme), with the…

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IIT Kanpur Showcases Sporting Excellence at Inter IIT Students’ and Staff Sports Meets 2025

Arijit Bose

Kanpur: IIT Kanpur showcased exemplary sporting excellence at the recently concluded 58th Inter IIT Students’ Sports Meet 2025 and the 30th Inter IIT Staff Sports Meet 2025, reaffirming the Institute’s strong commitment to sports and physical education. The student contingent secured an overall 5th position, with the Men’s Contingent achieving an impressive overall 3rd place. The staff contingent also delivered a commendable performance, finishing 4th overall with several podium finishes across disciplines. The 58th Inter IIT Students’ Sports Meet 2025, jointly hosted by IIT Hyderabad, IIT Madras, and IIT Tirupati,…

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Budget 2026-27: India on the Threshold of a New Tax Era

Arijit Bose

New Delhi: India’s Union Budget 2026-27 is more than just a financial document—it is a policy statement that reflects the nation’s economic vision, social priorities, and global role. With the final full budget before the landmark implementation of the new Income Tax Act 2025, this year’s budget carries historic significance, drawing the attention of everyone from Parliament to global investors. The formal budget session, approved by President Draupadi Murmu, will run from January 28 to April 2, 2026, in two phases—January 28 to February 13 and March 9 to April…

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India Embarks on Historic Internal Security and Youth Protection Initiatives

Arijit Bose

Delhi: India is entering a decisive phase in safeguarding its internal security, securing the future of its youth, and strengthening its global responsibility. Following the imminent goal of making India free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026, the government is now preparing to launch the ambitious “Drug-Free India @2029” campaign—a nationwide mission to tackle drug abuse and narcotics trafficking. The successful multi-tiered strategy against Naxalism demonstrated that with strong political will, institutional coordination, and professional security forces, seemingly impossible challenges can be overcome. Now, India is applying the same rigor…

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From Legacy to Leadership: Indian Railways Accelerates into the Future

Arijit Bose

New Delhi: Indian Railways is no longer seen merely as a transport system—it is the lifeline of the nation. Carrying millions of passengers every day, it reflects India’s social, economic and cultural pulse. From farmers and workers to students and soldiers, countless aspirations travel together on its tracks. In this context, the transformation of Indian Railways from a colonial-era mindset to a people-centric, modern institution marks a significant shift in national consciousness. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has repeatedly stressed the need to free Indian Railways from colonial thinking, a mindset…

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UP Congress Steps Up Preparations for 2027, Focuses on MNREGA, SIR and Panchayat Elections

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: Although the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are scheduled for 2027, political activity in the state has already intensified. The Congress party has accelerated its preparations, finalising its roadmap during a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee held at the party’s state headquarters in Lucknow. Senior leaders discussed key public issues such as MNREGA, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and upcoming Panchayat elections. The meeting began with floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, symbolising the party’s Gandhian legacy. UP Congress President Ajay Rai said that every party…

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