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Friday - June 06, 2025
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04:17 PM
Friday - June 06, 2025
Weather: 17°C
REGD.-HP-09-0015257
Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s re...
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Son of Shimla’s Apple Bowl, Brigadier Narendra Chauhan, Promoted to Major General in Indian Army
Shimla/Kotgarh, June 6, 2025:
Brigadier Narendra Chauhan, hailing from the serene apple orchards of Kotgarh in Shimla district, has been promoted to the esteemed rank of Major General in the Indian Army.
This significant achievement brings immense pride to Himachal Pradesh, particularly the Kotgarh region, renowned as the "Apple Bowl of India" .
Major General Chauhan's journey from the highlands of Kotgarh to the upper echelons of the Indian Army exemplifies dedication and perseverance.
His promotion is a testament to his exemplary service and leadership qualities.
The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army confirmed his promotion, marking a proud moment for the entire nation.
Local leaders and residents have expressed their heartfelt congratulations.
"This is a proud moment not just for Kotgarh or Shimla, but for every Indian. Major General Chauhan’s success has added to the glory of our land," said Kuldeep Rathour, Theog MLA.
His achievement serves as an inspiration for the youth of Himachal Pradesh, especially those from rural and hilly backgrounds aspiring to serve in the armed forces.
#MajorGeneralChauhan
#PrideOfKotgarh
#HimachalHero
#IndianArmy
“Build Smart, Build Green” — New Mantra as India Eyes Global Role in Construction Equipment: CII’s ICONEQ 2025 Ends with Strong Push for Green Tech, MSMEs
Chandigarh/Gurugram, 6 June 2025:
“Build Smart, Build Green” — that was the new mantra as the ICONEQ 2025 conference wrapped up in Gurugram.
Hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the second edition of the International Conference on Construction Equipment brought together top voices from government, industry, and tech to shape the future of India’s construction machinery sector.
The conference ended with a strong call to action.
Speakers stressed the need to support MSMEs, adopt cutting-edge technologies, and build an eco-friendly, globally competitive ecosystem.
“The construction equipment industry is transforming fast—automation, digital tools, and green tech are leading the way,” said Sunil Khurana, Chairman of ICONEQ 2025 and COO of JCB India Ltd.
“If India wants to meet its Net Zero targets, we need a joint effort—government, industry, and academia must work together to boost innovation, skilling, and sustainability,” he added.
CII Haryana Vice Chairman Saket Bhatia, also Director of Bony Polymers Pvt Ltd, said:
“Haryana’s infrastructure push—new townships, EV zones, and urban-rural link projects—will drive massive demand for advanced construction equipment.”
He underlined the importance of building local capacity to meet future needs.
Jayant Davar, Chairman and CEO of Sandhar Technologies, pointed to India’s massive growth in infrastructure spending.
“Capital expenditure on infrastructure has grown fivefold in the last decade. We now need efficient, smart, and sustainable machines to match the pace,” he said.
He called platforms like ICONEQ crucial for “policy dialogue, innovation, and global competitiveness.”
Karam Sahni, Chairman, CII Faridabad and Group Head (OEM Sales), Elofic Industries Ltd., praised the quality of discussion at the conference.
“Haryana has long been a manufacturing powerhouse. It’s time we lead the CE innovation race too,” he said.
The two-day event featured discussions on making India a global CE hub, boosting indigenization, strengthening supply chains, and preparing the workforce for the future.
#GreenMachines #DigitalIndia #BuildSmart #MakeInIndia
Katra | June 6, 2025:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge—the Chenab Rail Bridge—a marvel of modern engineering that soars 359 metres above the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres.
Waving the Tricolour atop the newly built steel arch bridge, PM Modi called it a "historic moment of pride" for India.
“The Tricolour flies high over the Chenab Rail Bridge! This is not just a bridge, it’s a symbol of India’s resolve to build the impossible.
It reflects the strength of New India, building futuristic infrastructure in the most difficult terrains,” he told a cheering crowd in Katra.
The bridge, part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, is being hailed as a strategic and symbolic lifeline connecting Kashmir more closely with the rest of India.
Highlights of the Chenab Bridge:
Height: 359 metres above the river
Length: 1,315 metres
Material Used: 30,000 tonnes of steel
Wind Resistance: Can withstand speeds up to 260 km/h
Earthquake Resilience: Built to endure Zone-V level seismic activity
Foundation Width: As wide as half a football field
Alongside the Chenab Bridge, another engineering feat—the Anji Bridge—was also highlighted for its unique single-pylon cable-stayed design.
Built on a central pillar, the Anji Bridge spans 725.5 metres and includes 96 stay cables, making it the first of its kind in the country.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who attended the event, said the dream of this rail link dates back to British times.
“The British had brought the train up to Uri and dreamt of linking Kashmir with the rest of India, but they couldn’t make it.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid the foundation, and PM Modi has delivered it,” he said.
He also highlighted the local impact of the bridge, recalling the hardships people faced earlier.
“When the highway shut due to rain, airlines would loot the public with sky-high fares—tickets worth ₹5,000 would go up to ₹20,000. Now, that chapter ends.”
PM Modi also interacted with workers who helped build the bridge.
“They come from all corners of India. They told me of the tough times they faced and how proud their families are today. This bridge is a tribute to their hard work and to the spirit of India,” he said.
With this inauguration, India not only achieves a global milestone in infrastructure but also marks a new chapter in Jammu & Kashmir’s connectivity and development.
#ChenabBridge #PMModi #NewIndia #JammuKashmir #RailwayRevolution #BreakingNews
World Environment Day at SJVN: More Optics, Less Impact?
Shimla, June 5: Like every year, SJVN marked World Environment Day 2025 with slogans, saplings, and speeches—but the big question remains: where’s the real action?
At its Corporate Headquarters and project sites, Director (Personnel) Ajay Kumar Sharma led employees in taking a green pledge and flagged off symbolic activities—planting a few saplings, hosting a quiz, an origami contest, and a plastic-waste craft competition. Winners got awards. Dignitaries got plants. Photos were clicked.
The theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, was reinforced with an e-waste drive that collected a mere 30 kg of junk—a symbolic step at best for a PSU with massive infrastructure footprints.
Officials spoke about environmental responsibility, but critics aren’t buying the annual show.
“A few contests and token gestures don’t cancel out the ecological cost of massive hydro projects in fragile Himalayan zones,” said an activist.
While SJVN talks sustainability, questions on waste disposal, ecological audits, and community impact remain unaddressed.
A green pledge once a year won’t cut it. The environment needs policy, not just pageantry.
World Environment Day 2025: Plastic Cleanup Drives, Plantation Rituals, and a Parade of Awards – But Is It Enough?
Shimla, June 5 – Once again, World Environment Day was observed with plastic collection drives, slogan-writing contests, and ceremonial sapling plantings across Himachal Pradesh — but environmentalists ask, has it all become a yearly ritual without real impact?
At the ICFRE-Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla, over 80 scientists and staff stepped into the surrounding forest for a plastic clean-up, picking up PET bottles, wrappers, and other non-biodegradables. Director Dr. Sandeep Sharma led the charge, highlighting this year’s theme "Beat Plastic Pollution." He stressed the growing threat of microplastics to soil, water, wildlife, and even human bodies.
“Plastic is everywhere — from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench,” warned Dr. Vaneet Jishtu, Head of Extension. “It’s even inside us now.”
Meanwhile, retired forest officers, led by former Chief Conservator BS Rana, planted Peepal saplings in Nature Park, Mohal — a symbolic act repeated each year. Schoolchildren from nearby Tegubehad Primary School were roped in, given a brief on the environment, and posed with the saplings.
Critics, however, say such events, while well-intentioned, don’t go beyond surface-level optics. “Saplings planted today with selfies will wither in neglect tomorrow. Where is the year-round follow-up?” quipped an environmental volunteer off-record.
Rituals Meet Recognition – Students Win, But What Next?
HIMCOSTE also rolled out its list of student competition winners for 2025. While the young minds showed promise, the events echoed the usual celebratory tone with little reflection on Himachal's growing plastic crisis in its fragile hills.
Painting Competition Winners:
Junior: Dhruv from GSSS Kanger (Una) topped, followed by Aruhi from GMS Sultanpur (Chamba) and Nami from HAPS Hiranagar (Hamirpur).
Senior: Roshni of GHS Navbahar (Shimla) won first, with Mehak Preet of St. Luke’s Solan and Aayush Negi of GSSS Pangi (Kinnaur) following.
Slogan Writing:
Junior: Harshita from GHS Kanah (Solan) came first. Sunakshi (Kangra) and Divya Jyoti (Kinnaur) were runners-up.
Senior: Diksha (Chamba) topped, followed by Palak (Hamirpur) and Parul (Kullu).
Photography:
Top spot went to Abhinav (Kinnaur), with Vikas (Solan), Iqshita (Shimla), and Sakshi (Kullu) earning honours.
Declamation:
Ishita (Solan) secured first, while Komal Mehta (Shimla), Aradhna Thakur (Kangra), and Anshika Sharma (Hamirpur) followed.
Green School Programme – Awards by CSE:
Best Green District: Solan
Land Manager: GHS Kanah, Solan
Changemaker School: GSSS Baldeyan, Shimla
Energy Manager: Doon Valley PS, Solan
Waste Warrior: GSSS Bhaleth, Hamirpur
Best Newcomer: GSSS Sarog, Shimla
Waterwise School: Shivalik Valley Public School, Solan
Yearly Ritual or Real Resolve?
Despite the good intentions and young talent, the state continues to grapple with banned plastic returning in full force, overflowing dump yards in the hills, and an ineffective waste segregation system.
“With no long-term waste management plans or enforcement, even the best eco-club report becomes a certificate for the shelf, not a call to action,” said a former HIMCOSTE official anonymously.
As the planet moves towards negotiating a global treaty on plastic by August, questions remain: Will these token activities be enough? Or are we stuck in a loop of cleaning today, dumping tomorrow?
> Until environmental action turns from event-based symbolism to everyday accountability, World Environment Day risks becoming just another checkbox.
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