INS Sudarshini departs Oman’s Salalah, continues Lokayan-2026 transoceanic deployment

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) Indian Navy’s three-masted sail training ship INS Sudarshini has departed Salalah in Oman after a four-day port call, continuing her historic transoceanic deployment Lokayan-2026, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

The ship visited Salalah from October 14 to 17, during which professional interactions and sporting engagements with the Royal Navy of Oman fostered camaraderie and strengthened people-to-people ties, the Ministry said.

“The voyage reflects the Indian Navy’s rich maritime heritage and its commitment to nurturing professional seamanship, resilience and leadership among naval trainees,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“As Lokayan-2026 progresses through its tenth month, INS Sudarshini’s voyage exemplifies the Indian Navy’s spirit of exploration, professional excellence and commitment to maritime diplomacy. Traversing international waters, the ship serves as an ambassador of India, fostering goodwill and maritime partnerships while carrying the civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and advancing the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions),” it added.

On Friday, INS Sudarshini welcomed over 500 members of the Indian diaspora on board at Oman’s Salalah, including children and teachers from Indian School Salalah, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said.

“INS Sudarshini welcomed over 500 members of the Indian diaspora at Salalah, including children and teachers from Indian School Salalah, for a visit onboard the Indian Navy’s premier sail training ship. The crew introduced the visitors to life onboard a sail ship and shared enriching experiences from their ongoing transoceanic expedition ‘Lokayan-26’,” the Embassy had posted on X.

“The visit instilled a sense of pride among the visiting diaspora about the growing capabilities and widely-reckoned seafaring tradition of the Indian Navy,” it added.

The 10-month Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition commenced from Kochi on January 20, with INS Sudarshini scheduled to cover approximately 22,000 nautical miles across 18 ports in 13 countries. Since the start of the voyage, the three-masted barque has traversed the Arabian, the Red, and the Mediterranean Seas, undertaken a transit of the Suez Canal, and participated in France’s prestigious maritime festival Escale a Sete maritime festival, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The ship subsequently undertook the historic first Atlantic crossing, arriving at Antigua on May 27 after a 19-day passage from Cape Verde. During the passage, the ship crossed the milestone of 10,000 nautical miles since departing Kochi.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu on Monday directed officials of Delhi Police, DDA, Delhi Fire Service, and MCD to focus on faster on-the-ground outcomes in safety matters requiring joint action.

Chairing a meeting of various agencies and departments, Sandhu directed time-bound activities on key civic and administrative priorities related to safety in the national capital.

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor wrote, “Chaired a coordination meeting between GNCTD, @DelhiPolice, @official_dda, @MCD_Delhi and @DelFireService today.”

“Emphasised the need for a “whole of government” approach, with all agencies working in close coordination rather than in silos, particularly on matters requiring swift and joint action. Directed time-bound activities on key civic and administrative priorities, with clear accountability and faster on-ground outcomes, towards a safer, better-managed and #ViksitDilli,” said Sandhu on X.

Earlier last week, the L-G reviewed the progress on reforms to reduce the compliance burden on common citizens and enhance ease of living through deregulation.

The meeting on Friday came a day after he discussed the city’s security and community-led safety campaigns with the Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.

In a post on social media platform X, the L-G said, “Reviewed the progress of Deregulation and Compliance Reduction in Delhi today, with the ease of the common citizen at the heart of this exercise.”

“Directed all departments to complete the exercise swiftly and efficiently, ensuring every reform delivers real, everyday ease of living for the people of Delhi — less red tape, faster approvals, and a system that works for them,” the L-G added.

“Guided by PM @narendramodiJi’s vision of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living, we need to build a #ViksitDilli that puts people first,” Sandhu said.

In his meeting with Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on Thursday, the L-G had evaluated specialised community policing initiatives, public welfare platforms, and targeted safety measures being implemented across the National Capital Territory, an official said.

–IANS

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2nd batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims leaves Jammu amid tight security; devotees praise arrangements

New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) The second batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra passed through Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday under tight security arrangements, continuing the smooth conduct of the ongoing pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva.

The convoy moved along the designated route amid multi-layer security cover and facilitation measures put in place by the administration to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of yatris.

Speaking during the journey, a devotee from Kanpur expressed deep faith and satisfaction with the arrangements, saying, “I have come form Kanpur. This is my 25th Amarnath Yatra by Baba’s blessings. The arrangements this time are the best. The weather is also very pleasant…”

Another pilgrim, reflecting long-standing participation in the pilgrimage, said, “…I have been coming here for 20 years. The arrangements here improve every year. Sevadars from different states have come here. There are excellent facilities for sadhus, including transport arranged by the government…”

The devotees highlighted improved facilities, coordinated services by sevadars from multiple states, and better logistical support, including transport arrangements for sadhus and elderly pilgrims. The overall atmosphere was described as peaceful, well-managed, and spiritually uplifting.

A total of 3,865 pilgrims of the second batch for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 departed from Jammu on Friday to undertake the sacred pilgrimage. Of these, 2,130 pilgrims proceeded towards the Pahalgam axis, while 1,735 pilgrims left for the Baltal axis, marking the continued movement of yatris towards the twin base camps under tight security arrangements and coordinated facilitation by authorities.

Authorities have deployed comprehensive security arrangements along the route, with police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), traffic units and civil administration working in close coordination to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. Medical assistance, emergency response teams and assistance counters have also been set up at key points along the yatra route.

Earlier on Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, marking the formal commencement of the annual pilgrimage. The flag-off was conducted amid elaborate security and logistical arrangements across the Union Territory.

In a post on X, L-G Sinha described the pilgrimage as a spiritual awakening, stating, “Har Har Mahadev! The sacred journey to the holy abode of Baba Barfani begins! Flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp…” He extended his wishes for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey for all devotees.

Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore Sharma described the Amarnath Yatra as one of the country’s most revered spiritual pilgrimages, expressing confidence in its peaceful and successful conduct while appreciating the arrangements made for devotees.

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, also extended his greetings to pilgrims, stating that facilities provided by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) would ensure a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage. He further expressed optimism that this year’s yatra would witness record participation, surpassing previous years’ figures.

–IANS

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Kharge, Sonia, Rahul lead Cong’s star campaigners’ list for 2nd phase of Bihar polls

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) The Congress on Sunday released the list of 40 star campaigners for the second phase of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on November 11.

The list includes top national leaders and prominent state figures, signalling an all-out campaign push by the party to strengthen its presence in the state ahead of polling.

Leading the list is Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, followed by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who are expected to dominate the party’s major rallies and public meetings across key constituencies.

Senior leaders such as Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, Digvijaya Singh, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, and Sachin Pilot are also among the prominent campaigners who will spearhead outreach efforts in different regions.

Other notable figures in the list include K.C. Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Imran Pratapgarhi, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Tariq Anwar, Meira Kumar, Gaurav Gogoi, Ranjeet Ranjan, Jignesh Mevani, Syed Naseer Hussain, Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav), and Rajendra Pal Gautam.

Several senior Bihar Congress leaders, such as Madan Mohan Jha, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Sukhdeo Bhagat, Rajesh Kumar Ram, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, and Furqan Ansari, are also part of the list.

Rising leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar, Supriya Shrinate, Pramod Tiwari, Krishna Allavaru, Ajay Rai, and Anil Jaihind have been included to appeal to younger voters and strengthen the Congress campaign at the grassroots level.

The inclusion of diverse leaders from across the country reflects the party’s attempt to project unity and energy within the INDIA bloc ahead of the crucial second phase.

Senior Congress functionaries said the star campaigners will focus on issues such as employment, inflation, farmers’ distress, and women’s welfare, while also highlighting alleged governance failures under the NDA government.

In the first phase of the Bihar Assembly polls, voting for several constituencies is scheduled on November 6, with the second phase to follow on November 11, and the counting of votes on November 14, according to the Election Commission of India.

The Congress, contesting as part of the opposition Mahagathbandhan, hopes to regain lost ground in the state as campaigning intensifies across all 243 seats.

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