Chinese incursion caught on tape

First time in the television history, Chinese troops were caught on tape intruding in the Indian space at Indo-China border near Taiwan in Arunachal Pradesh.22 Aug 2013, 6:35PM IST

     

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videoshow/21951752.cms

In yet another face-off with Indian soldiers, Chinese troops had come more than 20 kilometres inside Indian territory in Chaglagam area of Arunachal Pradesh on August 13 and stayed there for over two days.

However, the Army Headquarters sought to play down the incursion, saying the Chinese troops have gone back to their areas and such incidents keep taking place as both sides enter areas claimed by the other side while patrolling the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC).

People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops had come over 20 kms inside Indian-claimed territory in Chaglagam area of Arunachal Pradesh and after they were stopped by the Indian troops, the two sides showed banners to each other to leave the area, sources said here.

However, the two sides held to their positions and the Chinese soldiers left after staying put for two-three days, they said.

The area falls under the 2 Division of the Army and the deputy commander of the formation had also intervened to resolve the issue, they said.

The sources said paramilitary force Indo-Tibetan Border Police is also present in the area to guard the LAC there.

In April, Chinese troops had entered 19 kms deep inside the Indian Territory and pitched their tents in Depsang plains in Ladakh. They returned after a three-week stand-off and several rounds of hectic parleys between the top officials of the two countries.

In the last eight months, Army sources said there have been over 150 incursions by the Chinese side and that Indian troops also enter areas claimed by them during patrolling.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1877750/report-chinese-troops-intrude-into-arunachal-stay-for-over-two-days

First Chinese stealth drone 'ready' for test flight

The Chinese military is making preparations for the inaugural flight test of its newly designed unmanned combat vehicle, bringing the Asian powerhouse into the stealth technology race, Chinese media report.

China’s first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), known as the Lijian ('sharp sword'), is designed jointly by the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group and Shenyang Aviation Corporation. The project was launched in 2009 and the drone's first ground test was conducted on December 13 last year.

The Lijian, which makes China the third country to possess stealth drone capabilities, is now ready for flight testing, China Aviation News reported on Friday.

More:http://rt.com/news/china-military-drone-stealth-russia-142/

Bekal Fort,ബേക്കല്‍ കോട്ട

Location: About 16 km South of Kasaragod on the national highway, Kasaragod district, North Kerala

Bekal fort is the largest fort in Kerala, situated at Kasaragod district, North Kerala. spreading over 40 acres (160,000 m²). Some important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad steps leading to the Observation Tower, which is a rarity. From there one has an ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikkara, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc. The nearest railway stations are Pallikare, Kotikulam, Kanhangad,and Kasargod. This observation center had strategic significance in discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ensuring the safety of the Fort.

 Mrore:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bekal_Fort

 Kasaragod, the Northern most district of Kerala is renowned as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The imposing fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. The beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach has been developed as an exotic beach location by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation

Beautification: Beautification of the site includes installation of two sculptures of Theyyam created using laterite on the beach and a shed the walls of which are adorned with murals created by artisans from Nilambur. Apart from these a rock garden at the parking area has been developed where laterite boulders of various sizes have been utilised. Under the social forestry scheme, trees have been planted in the beach area.

Parking facilities: The BRDC has developed about 7000 sq. m of land for parking different types of vehicles.

Walkway: A beautiful walkway has been laid for the visiting tourists to explore the beauty of the fine coastline and enjoy the panoramic view of the Bekal Fort.

Read More:http://www.keralatourism.org/destination/destination.php?id=199042196

India's ALH Rudra Armed Copter

Rudra can carry 48 70mm rockets. Different warheads such as high explosive, darts, flechettes or cargo warheads provide adequate flexibility to address any type of target. These rockets can be safely delivered at standoff ranges of more than 8 km. The turret mounted 20 mm cannons can be cued to the electro optical pod or the pilot's helmet. This provides Rudra immediate and accurate firepower against ground and aerial targets. Pilot only has to look at the target and fire. With an advanced ballistic computer, the guns are very accurate even at extreme angles. Fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles with 7-km range make Rudra an ideal platform for ground support roles. Rudra can carry four air to air missiles. These are infra red guided fire and forget missiles with off axis boresight capability. Pilot can engage the target using the helmet mounted sight or with the electro optical pod, while manoeuvering.

More:http://livefist.blogspot.in/2013/01/exclusive-photos-indias-alh-rudra-armed.html

10th convocation of NITK

The  tenth convocation  of  National Institute of Technology Karnataka, 
Surathkal will be held on Saturday, 10th November 2012 at 10.30AM at the Silver 
Jubilee Auditorium. Prof. Kazuki Takashima, Dean, Graduate School of Science & 
Technology, Kumomoto University, Japan , will deliver the Convocation address. 
The Institute requests the presence of all graduands of the year for the 
Convocation.
 More:http://www.nitk.ac.in/show/10th-convocation-of-nitk-is-on-10th-nov-2012

ISRO SPY CASE , S NAMBINARAYANAN, INFILTRATION OF SECURITY AGENCIES BY DOUBLE AGENTS- CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

ISRO  security breach .... More interesting stories  By CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

ISRO SPY CASE , S NAMBINARAYANAN, INFILTRATION OF SECURITY AGENCIES BY DOUBLE AGENTS- CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

 Read More:http://ajitvadakayil.blogspot.in/2012/09/isro-spy-case-s-nambinarayanan.html

China's first aircraft carrier enters service

The Liaoning was named after a province in north-eastern China

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-19710040

The Liaoning was formally handed over to the navy at a ceremony attended by top Chinese leaders at Dalian Port, state-run Xinhua news agency said."Having the aircraft carrier enter the ranks will be of important significance in raising the overall fighting capacity of our nation's navy to a modern level," China's Defence Ministry said in a statement.The vessel will "increase [China's] capacity to defend, develop its capacity to co-operate on the high seas in dealing with non-traditional security threats and will be effective in defending the interests of state sovereignty, security and development", it added.The official commissioning of the country's first aircraft carrier signals China's status as a rising power, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Beijing.The Chinese military confirmed in June 2011 that it was being refitted to serve as the nation's first aircraft carrier.Analysts say it will take years to outfit the carrier with aircraft and make it fully operational. But Chinese officials say that the Liaoning advances the country's military modernisation."The development of aircraft carriers is an important part of China's national defense modernization, in particular its naval forces, and this aircraft carrier is an essential stepping stone toward its own more advanced aircraft carriers in the future," China's Rear Admiral Yang Yi wrote in state-run China Daily newspaper.

The carrier will be mostly used "for scientific research and training missions" so China could build "a more advanced aircraft carrier platform in the future", he added.

 
Designation: CV
Length: 992 ft
Width: 237 ft
Beam: 116 ft                                                       More:
Displacement: 65,000 tons                   http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/varyag.htm 
Propulsion: 8 boilers, 4 shafts
Speed: 32 knots
Crew: 2,500
Airwing: 
- 26 Fighter/Attack (J15)
- 4 AEW Helo
- 18 other Helo
Armament:
- 4 x 18 cell FL-3000N (72 missiles)
- 3 x 30mm Type 1030 CIWS
- 2 x 240mm ASW launchers (10 barrels ea)
- 4 x Decoy/Chaff (24 barrels ea)
Elevators: 2
Ships in class: 1

Security breach at ISRO?

Zeenews Bureau 
Bangalore: In a sensational development, a women posing as a space scientist was nabbed from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) headquarters in Bangalore on September 22, the police revealed on Monday. The woman identified as Jula N Sam, a 40-year-old from Ahmedabad, was arrested by CISF guards at the gates of the high-security complex in Yelahanka. She was carrying fake ID cards, reports added. Police said Jula had visited Kollam in Kerala to attend the last rites of her father on September 19 and after that, came to Bangalore the same night and stayed at ISRO's guest house at Jeevan Beemanagar, around 10 km from the ISRO headquarters, by producing a fake ID card. 
She had obtained the card from a photo studio at Kollam, police said. Police booked Jula under various IPC sections including 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 420 (cheating) and 490 (breach of contract of service during voyage or journey). Police said Jula's husband, who is in the city, claimed that his wife is mentally challenged.If not for the presence of mind of CISF officials, security may have been breached at the ISRO headquarters at a time when the space research organisation is gearing up to launch PSLV10. recently, defence establishment DRDO was in news after one of its scientist was arrested for having alleged links with terror outfits such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI). 

With PTI inputs 

US 7th fleet base in Bangladesh?- Times now.

A secret meeting was held in Bangladesh between the US and Bangladesh authorities to discuss US Marine Corps assistance to Bangladesh in surveying and managing its borders with India. The goal is being shown as identifying routes of movement of terrorists and religious extremists. But in fact there is a deeper context. According to The Bangladesh Today:
Source: http://rezwanul.blogspot.in/2008/07/us-military-base-in-bangladesh.html
A likely place to allow camping of the US Soldiers is the Korean EPZ in Chittagong. The KEPZ has not gone into operation and acres of land are barren in the protected areas, where construction work is going for an airport runaway. It is learnt the former US Ambassador Buetenis who is now deputy head of the US Embassy in Iraq made several trips to Bangladesh recently, only to evaluate progress of works for this camp.The question is will Bangladesh be turned into a launching pad for the US for its military forays in the neighborhood?

Rafale Partners with Reliance

Dassault Aviation has selected Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) as its private sector partner to manufacture the Rafale Combat jets in ndia.   Details are not known but Dassault confirmed the agreement with the Mumbai-based Mukesh Ambani-led Indian conglomerate. It was signed a week or so after the Government announced the Rafale as the winner in the Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) friday Jan 31.  n a statement, the French company said: Dassault Aviation, a major player in the global aerospace industry has entered into an MoU with Reliance Industries Ltd., India’s largest private sector company, for pursuing in strategic opportunities of collaboration in the area of complex manufacturing and support in India.                                               

  © India Strategic
More:http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1357_Rafale_partners_with_Reliance.htm

Indian Navy inducts n-powered attack submarine -INS Chakra-II

The Indian Navy Wednesday inducted a Russian-origin nuclear submarine, INS Chakra, into its fleet Apr 4, giving its underwater combat capabilities much-needed muscle and becoming the sixth navy in the world to operate such a vessel.

The Akula-II class submarine "K-152 Nerpa" renamed INS Chakra-II is on a 10-year lease from Russia at a cost of nearly $1 billion. .Induction of the nuclear submarine is to strengthen our national security and maritime security. It will strengthen the Indian Navy to meet any challenge in the maritime security."

More:http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1440_Indian_Navy_inducts_n-powered_submarine.htm
© India Strategic

 This content and photos is taken from: India strategic web.

Kallathigiri Falls- Kemmangundi

Landscapes and sceneries that are stunning will always strike our mind, and if some nature’s creation isn’t that exhilarating, even then people’s reaction will be similar. That is why travelers’ and vacationers’ perspective regarding the “Kalathgiri Falls” is positive and they appreciate its surroundings and revitalizing environment.

Kalathgiri Falls are sited near Kemmanagundi, which is 55 km north of Chikmagalur, a naturally blessed district that is the main attraction in Karnataka. At Kalathgiri Falls, pilgrims love to witness a small temple that is sandwiched between the waterfalls and rocks. Being a quintessential Indian temple, it retain idols and stone sculptures of the predominant God and Goddesses that turns this place into a pilgrimage destination as well. Around the year, devotees, frequent and occasional travelers crossing into Chikmagalur do visit the Kalathgiri Falls to view the temple and serene aura of this highly revitalizing site.

The overall experience of tourists and travelers at the Kalathgiri Falls is unwinding; however, the only constraint is the availability of food and accommodation that can be availed at Chikmagalur at pocket friendly prices. During the trip to Kalathgiri Falls, travelers do take packed food along and accommodate themselves at  Chikmagalur, where accommodation is highly luxurious, cozy and comfy. Moreover, the multiple cuisine alternatives available at Chikmagalur gratify the travelers with varied tastes and preferences.

For tourist’s information, there are few adjoining attractions that can be witnessed, apart from the Kalathgiri Falls, such Z Point, Rock Garden and Hebbe Falls. Z Point is solely intended for the adventure lovers, whereas rock garden grab everyone’s attention in large, due to it’s unique structure and extraordinary architecture. Merely 10 km away from Kemmanagundi, Hebbe Falls also offer scenic waterfalls view that seems quite similar to Kalathgiri Falls.




More: http://www.apnasapnahomestay.com/kallathigiri-falls.html

Kemmannugundi (Kannada: ಕೆಮ್ಮಣ್ಣುಗುಂಡಿ)

 Kemmannugundi, (Kannada: ಕೆಮ್ಮಣ್ಣುಗುಂಡಿ) is a hill station in Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagalurudistrict in the state of Karnataka, India. It is 1434m above sea level. This was the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and as a mark of respect to the king, it is also known as Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station. The station is ringed by the Baba Budan Giri Range, with cascades, mountain streams, and lush vegetation, Kemmangundi’s has ornamental gardens and mountains and valleys views. There is a spectacular sunset view from the Raj Bhavan.

 Kemmannugundi is 53 km from Chickmagalore and 17 km from Lingadahalli by road. The nearest National Highways, NH-206 or NH-48, connect to Bengaluru. There is another route via Mullayanagiri, a scenic drive.

 More:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemmangundi

Rose garden

Rose garden is a garden of roses maintained by the Horticultural Department. Many varieties of roses are cultivated there.

Jog Falls 2011

One of the highest waterfalls in India Jog Falls is one of the major attractions in Karnataka. Created on Sharavathi River, Jog Falls is also known by alternative names of Gerusoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi.Jog is located in Shimoga District of Karnataka, 30 km away from Sagara, 104 km from Shimoga, and 379 km away from Bangalore.For a Tour to Jog Falls, the best time to visit is between the months of August and December.Jog Falls is formed by the Sharavathi River, gushing down from a height of 253 meters. The river originates at Ambuthirtha in Thirthahalli taluk, flows north-west through the Western Ghats forming the Jog Falls before joining the Arabian Sea at Honavar.

India shortlists Rafale, Eurofighter for jet deal

NEW DELHI — India has shortlisted Dassault's Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon for a $12 billion dollar fighter jet deal, cutting out US giants Boeing and Lockheed, sources said Thursday.

"Only France's Dassault and Eurofighter have been requested to extend their commercial bids," a defence ministry official, who declined to be named, told AFP.

One of the most valuable and sought-after military contracts of recent years, the deal for 126 fighters has witnessed fierce competition between defence majors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Sweden's Saab AB and the Russian makers of the MiG 35.It was also the object of intense lobbying during a series of high-profile visits to India last year by US President Barack Obama, French President Nicholas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.Reports that a final shortlist had been drawn up were borne out by a statement Wednesday from Saab AB that its JAS-39 Gripen fighter had fallen out of contention."Gripen has not been shortlisted for the Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme," the statement said.The Indian defense ministry refused immediately to confirm that the US and Russian bids had also been dismissed.A statement from Lockheed Martin said only that it had been informed by the US government of a "letter from the Indian ministry of defense concerning the MMRCA competition".It gave no details of the letter's contents."We understand that the US government is working on a response," the statement said.The Eurofighter is made by the four-nation European Aeronautic Defence & Space consortium, representing Germany and Spain, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Finmeccanica.The long-delayed contract includes the outright purchase of 18 combat aircraft by 2012 with another 108 to be built in India.India, the biggest importer of military hardware among emerging nations, issued the request for proposals to the six firms in 2007 and trials of the aircraft competing for the deal began a year later.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved

This photo was taken from www.supperwallpapers.com.

St Mary's Island Beach Udupi Karnataka

St. Mary's Islands also known as Coconut Island, are a set of four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe in Udupi,Karnataka, India. They are known for their distinctive geological formation of columnar basaltic lava

History

 according to folk legend, in the year 1498, Vasco da Gama landed at St. Mary's Islands on his voyage from Portugal to India, fixed a cross on the island and named one of these islands, El Padron de Santa Maria, as a dedication to Mother Mary, before he proceeded toKozhikode in Kerala. It is from this name that the islands have got their current name

Geography and topography

Out of the four islands which form St. Mary’s Islands, the northernmost island has a basaltic rock formation in a hexagonal form, the only one of its type in India. The island covers an area which is about 500 m (1,640.4 ft) in length with a width of 100 m (328.1 ft). It has prominent coconut trees, its cover reflecting in an azure south sea colour, and hence the island is also called Coconut Island. There is no habitation on the islands.

Geology

The columnar basaltic lava found in these Islands, which is very well developed in the basalts of Deccan Trap, exhibit an imposing range of hexagonal shaped or multi-faced (polygonal) columns split into a horizontal mosaic. In geological idiom these are called “Columnar Joints”^[1]. The lava rocks form regular five, six or seven-sided pillars, called “laminar lava”, and are found in varying heights in all the islands; the tallest of the columns is about 6 m. Considering the importance and rarity of such an occurrence, these islands were classified as a National Geological Monument in 2001 by the Geological Survey of India

Geological age of the rock

There are different theories on the age of the St. Mary’s Islands rocks. In the analysis reported in the above section it has been further concluded that the multi domain (MD) state found in these rocks are not as common in the Deccan Traps and are reported to be non-existent in the Rajmahal Traps. Six selected samples from the Islands were subject to whole rock K-Ar dating. This yielded a mean age of 93.1 + 2.4 (2σ) vis-à-vis the age of the Rajmahal Traps of about 105-100 Ma and about 65-35 Ma of the Deccan Traps. With this appreciation, the author has concluded that the igneous activity of St. Mary’s Islands may represent Cretaceous-Tertiary igneous activity.

General information

The western coasts of the islands are a seashell haven with seashells of various shapes and sizes littered along the coast. There is no sand beach to swim and relax since it is scatted with basaltic rocks. But there are flat slabs to sit and enjoy the serenity of the place. The beach has security guards who ensure that visitors do not venture into danger zones of the islands. Watching Sun set at the Islands is also a special sight.^[12]. It is a popular picnic spot with locals and tourists alike. December to March is the best season to visit the Islands.

All links to the island are only through the mainland town of Malpe, which is a major fishing harbor. The beach at this location is enlivening. It is located at a distance of 5 km west of Udupi town, the administrative headquarters for the Islands

Access to the islands

 The only way of getting to the islands is by boat. Regular ferry service ply the 6 km distance from the Malpe fishing harbor (which has a ship building yard also) to the islands. However, the frequency of these boats may vary depending on the number of tourists visiting. It is 58 km (36.0 mi) to the North of Mangalore, the coastal city of Karnataka, which is also the nearest airport..

 The famous religious town Udupi, is about 60 km (37.3 mi) West North West of Mangalore. Mumbai, Udupi and Thiruvananthapuram are linked to Malpe, by the West Coast Railway.^[1] The Konkan Railway (map pictured) passes close to the Islands, starting from Mangalore passing through Udupi, Kundapura, Goa, Ratnagiri and Roha close to Mumbai. Malpe is 4 km (2.5 mi) from Udupi town