Missile destroyer INS Chennai inducted into Indian Navy

The Indian Navy today inducted the indigenously designed and built missile destroyer INS Chennai into its fleet, in a major boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make In India' initiative.,

Built by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, INS Chennai with a length of 164 meters and displacement of over 7,500 tonnes, is among the largest destroyers built in India.

The Rs4,000-crore vessel is armed with supersonic surface to surface 'BrahMos' missiles and 'Barak-8' long range surface to air missiles and possesses formidable prowess of missile technology.

India Naval Ship (INS) Chennai was commissioned in the presence of defence minister Manohar Parrikar. ''This is a historic day for the Indian Navy,'' said Parrikar.

The defence minister also spoke on the unprovoked firing by Pakistan troops on Indian posts, assuring that Indian soldiers are giving retaliating effectively. ''We are not taking initiative to fire upon, unless fired on,'' said Parrikar.

Parrikar hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking efforts to maintain good relations with neighbours. Parrikar, however, rued the fact that Pakistan does not help in maintaining friendly ties with India's neighbours.

INS Chennai is capable of undertaking a variety of tasks and missions across the full spectrum of maritime warfare. Armed with supersonic surface to surface Besides the 'BrahMos' missiles and 'Barak-8' long range surface to air missiles, the ship possesses undersea warfare capablities.

The vessel boasts of indigenously developed anti-submarine weapons and sensors, prominently the Hull Mounted Sonar 'HUMSA-NG', heavyweight torpedo tube launchers and rocket launcher capability.

The ship is fitted with 'Kavach' chaff decoy system for defence against enemy missiles, and for defence against enemy torpedoes, it is fitted with 'Mareech' torpedo decoy system, both developed indigenously.

INS Chennai is designed to carry and operate up to two multi-role helicopters. The ship is propelled by a powerful Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion plant, consisting of four reversible gas turbines, which enables it to achieve a top speed of over 30 knots (approximately 55 km per hour).Source: domain-b.com

Read More........ → December 22, 2016

Ratan Tata bats for demonetisation, dubs it 'most important reform'

By U.S. Embassy New Delhi [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi, Nov 26: Industrial conglomerate Tata Sons Interim Chairman Ratan Tata on Saturday said the government’s demonetisation programme is among the “three most important economic reforms in India’s history” and needs the nation’s support for implementation.

“Demonetisation is amongst the three most important economic reforms in India’s history, along with Delicensing and GST (Goods and Services Tax),” Tata tweeted.

“The Prime Minister’s recent focus on mobile and digital payments will also greatly facilitate the transition from a cash-driven economy to cashless economy, which, in the long term, will enormously benefit the poor and the underprivileged,” he added.

In its bid to curb black money economy, the Indian government on Nov 8 demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

“The parallel black money economy in India has fueled tax evasion, money laundering and corruption. The Prime Minister has displayed enormous courage in waging war on the black market economy in the country through the implementation of a major demonetisation programme,” Tata said.

“The government’s firm resolve to fight and eliminate black money needs the support and cooperation of all like-minded citizens of India who would like to see a more equitable distribution of the nation’s resources in a new India of tomorrow, based on merit and equal opportunity,” he added.

In one of his earlier tweets on Nov 24, Tata suggested the government to use special relief measures to ease the daily hardship faced by the poorer sections of society due to the demonetisation drive.

According to Tata, the present note ban implementation is said to be causing great hardship to the common man, particularly relating to medical emergencies, major surgical interventions and the procurement of medication at many hospitals in smaller towns across the country.

“While the government is doing its best to increase the availability of new currency notes, it may be worthwhile to consider special relief measures similar to those employed at the times of national calamities to serve the poorer segment of the population for their daily needs and for enabling emergency healthcare/medical treatment in smaller hospitals,” he said. (IANS) Source: The Sentinel

Read More........ → December 08, 2016