‘The Admiral Is My Father’: IndiGo Captain Welcomes Former Navy Chief Onboard With A Personal Touch
From BrahMos and Akash to Arjun tanks and attack helicopters, the procession underlined India’s focus on battlefield-ready capability and indigenous platforms, watched by top national leadership and visiting European Union dignitaries
A standout moment at Kartavya Path was the Prahar formation, which featured a Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter carrying the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ flag.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa is present at the parade as chief guests. T
This year's parade, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, is themed around 150 years of Vande Mataram, India's progress, military strength, cultural diversity and the spirit of Jan Bhagidari
Tableaus will highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, offering a glimpse into how the various branches of the armed forces collaborated during the operation.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the Shaurya Sandhya event at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Rajasthan, congratulated the Indian Army on the success of Operation Sindoor. He emphasised that the operation is not yet over and will continue until terrorism as an ideology is completely wiped out, reaffirming India’s commitment to peace and national security.
On Armed Forces Veterans’ Day in Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a powerful message highlighting the deep respect India holds for its soldiers and veterans. He said that the true strength of a nation is not defined by policies or schemes on paper, but by the social consciousness with which it honours those who have served in uniform. Calling veterans India’s greatest “social capital”, he said their sacrifice connects generations and strengthens the very soul of the nation. The Defence Minister underlined that respect for soldiers in India flows naturally from the country’s cultural values, not from official instructions. From children to the elderly, every Indian instinctively honours those in uniform, and it is encouraging to see the younger generation proudly carrying this tradition forward. He assured veterans that the government remains fully committed to ensuring their lives are lived with dignity, security and a sense of fulfilment. Rajnath Singh also noted that India’s growing global stature is now widely recognised, with the world paying close attention when the country speaks on international platforms. In such a time, he said, the experience, leadership and values of veterans are invaluable to the nation, especially for inspiring and guiding India’s youth.
Stressing that women should not be seen as vulnerable, the Army Chief said the focus of the force is on “gender neutrality”.
India’s defence capabilities are entering a new era as the Indian Army ramps up its indigenous drone programme. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has revealed that every Army command is either already manufacturing or will soon build up to 5,000 drones in-house. These are not small surveillance drones, but advanced platforms that have been tested for ranges of up to 100 kilometres, with plans to extend their reach even further. The move marks a major push toward self-reliance in defence and reflects the Army’s focus on modern, technology-driven warfare. With drones becoming a critical part of battlefield strategy, this initiative significantly strengthens India’s preparedness and reduces dependence on imports for key defence systems.
Sources said multiple Pakistani drones were seen near the Dungala–Nabla area of the Rajouri sector and were fired upon by Army personnel.





