93% Of Gen Z, Gen Alpha Shape Family Travel Plans In India: Report

Family travel in India is increasingly guided by the preferences of Gen Alpha and Gen Z, revealed a new survey that found an overwhelming 93 per cent of young travellers are now actively contributing to their family's vacation planning.

The findings, part of "Small Voices, Big Choices: Hilton 2025 Trends Report", suggest a significant shift in family travel planning with India's youngest generation taking charge and shaping the future of the travel industry.

"A striking 93 per cent of Generation Alpha and Generation Z in India actively shape family travel plans, now positioning them as key decision-makers in the travel process," reads the report, adding that 76 per cent of Indian parents (compared to 70 per cent globally) choose vacation destinations based on their children's interests.

Generation Alpha, aged 14 and younger, accounts for a quarter of India's population, while Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, represents 30 per cent.

While these young travellers' input is strong in picking activities and destinations, as per the survey, the logistical decisions -- including transportation (44 per cent), dining (40 per cent), accommodation (32 per cent), budgeting (28 per cent), and trip duration (26 per cent) -- are still primarily managed by parents.

The report also sheds light on the youth of India being avid travellers, with young travellers averaging two to three trips annually, and as many as 94 per cent of them travelling at least once.

"This passion for travel is evident in their future plans, with nine in 10 (90 per cent) Gen Alpha and Gen Z in India likely to travel in the next year. Additionally, 87 per cent take pride in their ability to explore new destinations. These findings highlight the strong and growing demand for travel among younger generations," it added.

Zeroing in on Indian youth's travel preferences, the report said the Gen Alpha and Gen Z travellers in India are excited about exploring both local and international destinations, which means while they eagerly seek out India's rich landscapes and cultural heritage, they also show a growing enthusiasm for global adventures.

So, according to the report, the emerging generation is increasingly interested in travelling beyond Asia to immerse themselves in diverse cultures. Their preferred countries to travel are India (34 per cent), Singapore (28 per cent), America (22 per cent), Australia, and the United Kingdom (17 per cent).

Here, the report also talked about Gen Y (millennials), which unlike Gen Alpha and Gen Z, still gravitates towards familiar Asian destinations for convenience and comfort -- Japan (29 per cent), India (28 per cent), Singapore (25 per cent), Maldives (21 per cent), and Malaysia (17 per cent).

"The Generation Alpha and Z are redefining the landscape of travel. Their evolving preferences are driving the industry to innovate, creating opportunities for more meaningful, immersive, and culturally enriching experiences that align with their values. This shift is not just about the destinations they choose, but how they interact with and experience the world," said Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, brand management, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

These findings are based on two surveys: a global Ipsos poll conducted from June 5 - 26, 2024, and an APAC-focused survey by OnePoll conducted from August 12 - 26, 2024.

While the Ipsos survey sampled 13,001 adults (18+) across 13 countries, the OnePoll survey included 8,000 Gen Z and Millennial parents (born in or before 1981) with children aged 6 to 19, from Australia, mainland China, India, Japan, and Singapore. 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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'Sip Cow Urine For Garba Entry In Indore': BJP Leader's Remark Sparks Row

A BJP functionary from Indore district on Monday urged organisers to make people sip "gaumutra" (cow urine) before letting them in garba pandals during Navratri festival as a Hindu can never refuse this precondition.

The Congress questioned the BJP leader's call, terming it a new tactic of polarisation by the saffron party.

Proposing "aachman", BJP district president Chintu Verma told reporters that the aachman practice has great significance in Sanatan culture.

"We have requested organisers to ensure devotees do aachaman with cow urine before allowing them to enter garba pandals," he said.

According to Hindu customs, aachaman means taking a sip of water while reciting mantras for purification before starting religious rituals.

Queried about the rationale behind this demand, Mr Verma said sometimes some people join these events which generate certain discussions.

"Aadhaar card can be edited. However, if a person is a Hindu, he will enter the Garba pandal only after aachaman of cow urine and there is no question of refusing it," he reasoned.

MP Congress spokesman Neelabh Shukla alleged that BJP leaders are silent on the plight of cow shelters and are only interested in politicising this issue.

"Raising the cow urine aachman demand is the BJP's new trick of playing polarisation politics,'' he said and demanded BJP leaders sip cow urine before entering pandals and post videos on social media. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Fake Branch Claiming To Be Of SBI Unearthed In Chhattisgarh: Police

A fake branch claiming to be of the State Bank of India (SBI) was unearthed in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district following which police booked its three operators, a police official said on Sunday.

The bogus branch was being run in Chhapora village under Malkharauda police station limits, Sakti Additional Superintendent of Police Rama Patel said. Sakti, adjoining Janjgir-Champa district, is around 200 km from the state capital Raipur.

The fraudulent banking unit was set up in a rented shop in a commercial complex on September 18, with posters and banners of SBI installed there, she said.

Suspecting something was phoney, some locals complained about it. A team from SBI's regional office in Korba inspected the branch and found it to be fake, she said.

After being alerted by the public sector bank on Friday, police raided the place, the official said.

Five employees were found to be working in the fake branch. They claimed to have been hired through interviews, Patel said, adding that the employees are currently being interrogated.

Police have seized computers and other materials from the fake branch.

A case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against its three operators, including a person who claimed to be the manager and was said to be the mastermind of the fraud, the official said.

Efforts are being made to trace the accused, another police official said.

A probe is underway to ascertain how many people opened accounts with the fake branch and how much money the conmen collected from them, he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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आपके घर को और भी स्टाइलिश बनाएंगे Myntra के ये डिस्काउंटेड खूबसूरत वॉल मिरर

मिरर पर Myntra की शानदार सेल के कारण, अपने स्थान को बदलना इतना आसान या अधिक अफोर्डेबल कभी नहीं रहा. चाहे आप अपनी दीवारों पर सुंदरता का टच जोड़ना चाह रहे हों या सही मेकअप साथी ढूंढना चाहते हों, यह सेल आश्चर्यजनक डिज़ाइन पेश करती है जो हर स्वाद को पूरा करती है. 80% तक की छूट के साथ, आपके पर्सनल को प्रतिबिंबित करने वाले सुंदर मिरर में निवेश करने का इससे बेहतर समय नहीं हो सकता. हमारे साथ जुड़ें क्योंकि हम इन बढ़िया वस्तुओं के चयन का पता लगा रहे हैं जो आपके घर की सजावट को बढ़ाने का वादा करते हैं.

वॉल मिरर पर 80% तक की छूट पर टॉप 14 Myntra डील्स

1. Peepul Tree Turquoise Blue Mud & Mirror Work Wall Mirror

Discount: 30% | Price: ₹1049 | M.R.P.: ₹1499 | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Peepul Tree का यह वाइब्रेंट फ़िरोज़ा ब्लू वॉल मिरर एक स्टेटमेंट पीस है जो मॉडर्न स्वभाव के साथ ट्रेडिशनल अट्रैक्शन का मिश्रण है. MDF से निर्मित, इसमें जटिल मिट्टी और मिरर का काम है जो आंख को लुभाता है. लिविंग रूम या प्रवेश द्वार के लिए बिल्कुल उपयुक्त, यह मिरर आपकी सजावट में कलर और कल्चर की झलक लाता है.

खासियतें: 

• फ़िरोज़ा ब्लू कलर 
• अद्वितीय मिट्टी और मिरर का काम
• आयाम: 30.48 सेमी x 25.5 सेमी
• मटेरियल: MDF 

2. TIED RIBBONS Beige Round Shaped Framed Wall Hanging Mirror

Discount: 60% | Price: ₹899 | M.R.P.: ₹2249 | Rating: 3.4 out of 5 stars

TIED RIBBONS के सुंदर ढंग से डिजाइन किए गए राउंड वॉल मिरर के साथ अपनी सजावट को ऊंचा उठाएं. इसका बेज फ्रेम किसी भी कलर योजना के साथ मेल खाता है, जो इसे आपके घर के लिए एक बहुमुखी संयोजन बनाता है. बाथरूम या हॉलवे के लिए आदर्श, यह मिरर मॉडर्न स्टाइल के साथ फंक्शनेलिटी को जोड़ता है.

खासियतें: 

• एक सॉलिड पैटर्न के साथ राउंड शेप
• आयाम: 48.2 सेमी x 30.4 सेमी
• फ़्रेम मटेरियल: प्लास्टिक
• लटकाना आसान

3. NIMI ARTS & CRAFTS Beige Elephant Shaped Table Top Mirrors

Discount: 33% | Price: ₹850 | M.R.P.: ₹1268 | Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

इस अद्वितीय हाथी के शेप के टेबलटॉप मिरर के साथ अपने स्थान में एक चंचल स्पर्श जोड़ें. देखभाल के साथ तैयार किया गया, इसका अट्रैक्टिव डिज़ाइन इसे बच्चों के कमरे या मनमौजी सजावट के लिए बिल्कुल सही बनाता है. यह मिरर न केवल फंक्शनल है बल्कि एक रमणीय उच्चारण वस्तु भी है.

खासियतें: 

• हाथी पैटर्न वाला डिज़ाइन
• आयाम: 41 सेमी x 33 सेमी x 22 सेमी
• मटेरियल: मेटल 
• हैंडक्राफ्टेड यूनीकनेस

4. H&M White Cloud-Shaped Mirror

Discount: 35% | Price: ₹974 | M.R.P.: ₹1499 | Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

H&M के इस सनकी बादल के शेप के मिरर के साथ किसी भी कमरे में एक स्वप्निल माहौल बनाएं. इसके नरम मोड़ और व्हाइट फिनिश इसे नर्सरी या बच्चों के स्थानों के लिए एक अट्रैक्टिव अतिरिक्त बनाते हैं, जबकि वयस्कों के लिए अभी भी काफी स्टाइलिश हैं.

खासियतें: 

• बादल के शेप का डिज़ाइन
• आयाम: 25 सेमी x 35 सेमी
• फ़्रेम मटेरियल: मीडियम-बादल फ़ाइबरबोर्ड
• आसानी से लगाने के लिए दो हैंगर

5. MARKET99 Gold Toned 3 Pieces Textured Round Wall Mirrors

Discount: 38% | Price: ₹1053 | M.R.P.: ₹1699 | Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

MARKET99 के तीन गोल्ड-टोन वाले राउंड मिरर का यह सेट किसी भी वॉल पर ग्लैमर का स्पर्श जोड़ता है. उनकी बनावट वाली फिनिश दृश्य अपील को बढ़ाती है, जो उन्हें आपके घर में एक शानदार गैलरी वॉल बनाने के लिए आदर्श बनाती है.

खासियतें: 

• तीन मिरर का सेट
• आयाम: 24.5 सेमी x 24.5 सेमी प्रत्येक
• फ़्रेम मटेरियल: प्लास्टिक और ग्लास
• सजावटी प्रदर्शन के लिए बिल्कुल उपयुक्त

6. MARKET99 White Solid Light Up Table Top Mirror

Discount: 55% | Price: ₹719 | M.R.P.: ₹1599 | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

इस स्टाइलिश लाइट-अप टेबलटॉप मिरर के साथ अपनी ब्यूटी रूटीन को रोशन करें. एक अट्रैक्टिव डिजाइन और सॉलिड व्हाइट फिनिश के साथ, यह मेकअप लगाने के लिए या आपकी वैनिटी पर एक अट्रैक्टिव सजावटी टुकड़े के रूप में बिल्कुल सही है.

खासियतें: 

• लाइट-अप फीचर
• आयाम: 14 सेमी x 27 सेमी
• मटेरियल: प्लास्टिक
• मेकअप और ग्रूमिंग के लिए आदर्श

7. Athome By Nilkamal Brown 3 Pcs Decorative Frame Mirrors

Discount: 20% | Price: ₹799 | M.R.P.: ₹999 | Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

तीन सजावटी फ़्रेम मिरर का यह सेट अपने स्ट्रिपड ब्राउन डिज़ाइन के साथ एक कंटेम्पररी लुक प्रदान करता है. किसी भी कमरे के लिए बिल्कुल उपयुक्त, ये मिरर आपकी सजावट में गहराई और परिष्कार जोड़ते हैं, जिससे वे एक बेहतरीन निवेश बन जाते हैं.

खासियतें: 

• तीन मिरर का सेट
• आयाम: 91 सेमी x 2.2 सेमी x 25 सेमी
• फ़्रेम मटेरियल: प्लास्टिक
• बहुमुखी डेकोरेटिव ऑप्शन 

8. NM 2-Pcs Beige Decorative Hand Mirrors

Discount: 75% | Price: ₹425 | M.R.P.: ₹1,899

ये अट्रैक्टिव हाथ मिरर मेकअप लगाने या आपकी वैनिटी में सुंदरता का स्पर्श जोड़ने के लिए बिल्कुल उपयुक्त हैं. मेटल से निर्मित, बेज फिनिश किसी भी कमरे में गर्माहट लाती है. प्रत्येक मिरर सिग्नेचर्ड है, जो प्रत्येक टुकड़े को अद्वितीय बनाता है.

खासियतें: 

• 2 मिरर का सेट
• रेक्टेंगुलर शेप 
• सूखे कपड़े से साफ करना आसान है
• मेकअप और टच-अप के लिए आदर्श

9. Nestasia Green Embossed Handheld Vanity Mirror

Discount: 33% | Price: ₹891 | M.R.P.: ₹1,320 | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

इस उत्तम हरे और गोल्डन हैंडहेल्ड वैनिटी मिरर के साथ अपने रूटीन में कलर की बौछार जोड़ें. इसका उभरा हुआ डिज़ाइन और विंटेज एहसास इसे किसी भी घर में एक असाधारण टुकड़ा बनाता है. गिफ्ट्स के लिए बिल्कुल उपयुक्त, यह सुंदरता और प्रक्टिकेलिटी को सहजता से जोड़ता है.

खासियतें: 

• हैंडहेल्ड डिज़ाइन
• ओवल शेप 
• विंटेज लुक के लिए उभरा हुआ फिनिश
• सूखे कपड़े से साफ करना आसान है

10. Home Sparkle Gold-Toned Mirror

Discount: 80% | Price: ₹909 | M.R.P.: ₹4,548 

यह शानदार गोल्ड-टोन वाला राउंड मिरर एक सच्चा स्टेटमेंट पीस है. एक सॉलिड पैटर्न और वॉल पर लगाने की क्षमता के साथ, यह बैंक को तोड़े बिना आपकी सजावट में लग्जरी का टच जोड़ता है.

खासियतें: 

• वॉल पर चढ़ा हुआ
• राउंड शेप 
• साफ करना आसान है
• सजावटी उद्देश्यों के लिए बढ़िया

11. VAH Kya Bat Hai!! Black 7 Pieces Round Decorative Wall Mirror Sticker

Discount: 58% | Price: ₹545 | M.R.P.: ₹1,299 

मॉडर्न टच के लिए आदर्श, ये शैटरप्रूफ वॉल मिरर स्टिकर किसी भी वॉल को बदल सकते हैं. इन्हें स्थापित करना और साफ करना आसान है, जिससे आप ट्रेडिशनल मिरर की परेशानी के बिना एक अनोखा लुक बना सकते हैं.

खासियतें: 

• 7-टुकड़ा सेट
• शैटरप्रूफ और रीयूज़ेबल 
• साफ करने और स्थापित करने में आसान
• किसी भी सजावट स्टाइल के लिए बिल्कुल सही

12. Home Centre Brown Corsica Reflection Textured Round Antique Wall Mirror

Discount: 40% | Price: ₹899 | M.R.P.: ₹1,499 | Rating: 3.4 out of 5 stars

यह प्राचीन स्टाइल का राउंड मिरर आपके घर में एक क्लासिक स्पर्श जोड़ता है. बनावट वाला फ्रेम इसकी पुरानी अपील को बढ़ाता है, जिससे यह किसी भी कमरे के लिए एक आदर्श जोड़ बन जाता है जिसमें सुंदरता की आवश्यकता होती है.

खासियतें: 

• राउंड साइज
• ड्यूरेबिलिटी के लिए प्लास्टिक फ्रेम
• वर्टीकल या हॉरिजॉन्टल रूप से लटकाया जा सकता है
• मुलायम कपड़े से साफ करना आसान है

13. Athome By Nilkamal 3Pcs Beige & Grey Square Decor Wall Mirrors

Discount: 20% | Price: ₹799 | M.R.P.: ₹999 

तीन स्क्वायर मिरर का यह सेट आपकी सजावट की जरूरतों के लिए एक स्टाइलिश और प्रैक्टिकल सोल्यूशन प्रदान करता है. बेज और ग्रे टोन विभिन्न कलर योजनाओं के साथ सहजता से मिश्रित होते हैं, जो उन्हें किसी भी कमरे के लिए बहुमुखी बनाते हैं.

खासियतें: 

• 3 मिरर का सेट
• स्क्वायर मिरर
• ड्यूरेबल और हाई क्वालिटी वाली मटेरियल
• वॉल की सजावट के लिए बिल्कुल उपयुक्त

14. HOSLEY White 3 Pieces Textured Metal Framed Round Shaped Wall Hanging Mirrors

Discount: 50% | Price: ₹999 | M.R.P.: ₹1,999 

ये राउंड मिरर बनावट वाले मेटल के फ्रेम में आते हैं, जो एक अट्रैक्टिव और कंटेम्पररी लुक प्रदान करते हैं. उनका डिज़ाइन एक स्टाइलिश गैलरी वॉल बनाने या किसी भी स्थान पर केंद्र बिंदु जोड़ने के लिए एकदम सही है.

खासियतें: 

• 3 मिरर का सेट
• बनावट वाले फ़्रेम के साथ राउंड शेप 
• सूखे कपड़े से साफ करना आसान है
• सजावटी उपयोग के लिए आदर्श

Myntra पर यह स्पेशल डील आपके घर को स्टाइलिश मिरर से सजाने का एक शानदार अवसर प्रदान करती है जो न केवल आपकी छवि, बल्कि आपकी पर्सनल स्टाइल को भी दर्शाते हैं. विभिन्न डिज़ाइनों पर महत्वपूर्ण छूट के साथ, आप आसानी से अपनी सजावट और ज़रूरतों से मेल खाने के लिए सही मिरर पा सकते हैं. चाहे आप फंक्शनल टुकड़े या सजावटी लहजे की तलाश में हों, ये चयन प्रभावित करने के लिए बाध्य हैं. अभी Myntra पर खरीदारी करें.

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Court Refuses To Interfere In Centre's Decision To Rename Port Blair

The Calcutta High Court's Port Blair circuit bench has refused to interfere in the government's decision to change the name of the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saying it is the prerogative of the executive.

On September 13, the central government renamed Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.

Hearing a petition challenging the renaming, a division bench comprising Justices Ravi Krishan Kapur and Prasenjit Biswas on Friday refused to intervene as it is the prerogative of the executive.

The court cited the renaming of Bombay to Mumbai to highlight the executive's prerogative.

Advocate Prohit Mohan Lall who filed the petition then withdrew it.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said, “While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in India's freedom struggle and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' unique role in it.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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FIR Against Siddaramaiah In Land Scam Case After Court Orders Probe

Lokayukta police on Friday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, following the court order.

Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge, meanwhile, came to Siddaramaiah's defence, stating that the party is standing with him and will support him.

Siddaramaiah, who began his three-day visit to his home district of Mysuru, claimed that he was being targeted in the MUDA issue as the opposition is "scared" of him and said it's the first such "political case" against him.

He also reiterated that he won't resign following the court ordering a probe against him in the case as he has done no wrong and asserted that he would fight the case legally.

While Siddaramaiah is accused number one (A1) in the case, his wife B M Parvathi (A2), brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy (A3), Devaraju (A4) -- from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others are named in the FIR registered by Lokayukta police in Mysuru.

A Special Court in Bengaluru on Wednesday ordered a Lokayukta police probe against Siddaramaiah in the case, setting the stage for filing an FIR against him.

The order of the Special Court Judge, Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, came a day after the High Court upheld the sanction granted by the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to conduct an investigation against Siddaramaiah on the allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA.

The Special Court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to former and elected MPs/MLAs issued the order directing the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to initiate an investigation on the complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.

"Acting under Sec.156(3) of Code of Criminal Procedure, the jurisdictional police i.e., Superintendent of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, Mysuru is hereby directed to register the case, investigate and to file a report as contemplated under Sec.173 of Cr.P.C., within a period 3 months from today.." the court had said.

Accordingly, the FIR has been registered Sec.120B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy), 166 (Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person), 403 (Dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 ( Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 ( Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 426 ( Punishment for mischief), 465 (Punishment for forgery) , 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 340 (Wrongful confinement), 351 (Assault) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The court had also listed offences punishable under sections 9 and 13 the Prevention Of Corruption Act, 1988 and under Sec.3, 53 and 54 of the Prohibition Of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 and 3, 4 of Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2011.

Snehamayi Krishna, expressing displeasure over "delay" on the part of Lokayukta SP, Mysuru, Udesha T J, in filing of the FIR, said this is another victory for his fight.

He said he will be approaching the High Court seeking handing over the case to the CBI. "At the initial stage during the filing of FIR itself there is a delay...can it be believed that there will be an honest probe against the Chief Minister? No. So we will fight to get this case handed over to the CBI." Siddaramaiah arrived in Mysuru on a three-day visit to a rousing welcome by party workers and supporters in a show of strength and support. The opposition BJP staged a protest demanding his resignation; many of the saffron party workers were whisked away by the police as they tried to march towards the venue of the meeting that the CM was attending.

Regarding BJP holding protests demanding his resignation, the CM said, "Why should I resign? If one has committed wrong he has to resign, when we are saying that no wrong was done, where is the question of resigning?"

Mr Kharge too rejected BJP's demand for Siddaramaiah's resignation, as he noted that "neither a chargesheet is filed, nor he is convicted," and said, "let the law take its own course, and when a situation comes, the party will examine."

"Now nothing is there, (but) every day I'm seeing that MUDA, MUDA. Crores of rupees (have been) swallowed by industrialists, Rs 16 lakh crore of their debt have been written off, and now you are taking one small issue and fighting. That too neither chargesheet is filed, nor he is convicted. Every day this is news. I'm fed up seeing all these things," said Mr Kharge.

In the MUDA site allotment case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by MUDA.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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100 K9 Vajra Howitzers, Swarm Drones In Big Boost To India's Defence Power

The Indian Army is enhancing the combat prowess of its artillery units along the frontier with China by procuring an array of weapons systems, including an additional batch of 100 K9 Vajra howitzers, swarm drones, loitering munitions and surveillance systems.

Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, the Director General of Artillery in the Army, said various futuristic platforms and equipment are being procured to bolster the capabilities of the artillery units considering national security challenges.

"Today, we are modernising at a pace like never before and as per defined timelines," he told reporters ahead of the 198th anniversary of the Artillery Regiment on September 28.

The development work is also in progress by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for hypersonic missiles, he said.

Hypersonic missiles can fly at a speed of five mach or more than five times the speed of sound.

Lieutenant General Kumar said a number of 155 mm gun systems, including K-9 Vajra, Dhanush and Sharang, have been deployed along the Northern borders to boost the Army's fire-power.

The Army has already deployed 100 K-9 Vajra gun systems. It is in the process of procuring another batch of 100 K-9s.

"The Acceptance of Necessity (or initial tender) for repeat order of 100 guns was granted. Further process is on," the senior official said on procurement of an additional batch of K-9 self-propelled howitzers.

The K9 Vajras were originally procured for deployment in deserts, but following the eastern Ladakh standoff, the Army deployed a significant number of the howitzers in that high-altitude region.

"We are also in the process of inducting other 155 mm gun systems to include Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Mounted Gun System (MGS) and Towed Gun System (TGS)," he said.

The ATAGS is 100 per cent designed and developed by the DRDO along with two private partners.

Lieutenant General Kumar said the contract is likely to be concluded soon and trials for both MGS and TGS are set to commence in 2025.

"They are lighter in weight and can be carried underslung by helicopters. K-9 Vajra gun system is ideal for mechanised operations," he said.

Dhanush Guns are an "electronic upgrade" of Bofors guns.

On rockets, he said "Pinaka" systems have been the success story of "Atmanirbharta" (self-reliant) drive and the equipment have added more punch and lethality to artillery's arsenal.

The focus is now on to enhance the range of Pinaka rockets to 300 kms.

While the Pinaka Mark-I has a maximum range of 40 kilometers, the Pinaka Mark-II is known to have a range of 90 kilometers.

Lieutenant General Kumar said the focus has also been on boosting the Artillery's surveillance and target acquisition (SATA) regiments as well as to induct more swarm drones, loitering munitions and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs).

"Our missile programme is progressing well at the desired pace, wherein research and development is being carried out by the DRDO to enhance range, accuracy and lethality of both ballistic and cruise missiles.

"As far as ammunition is concerned, lot of improvements are being undertaken to enhance the accuracy and lethality," he said.

Lieutenant General Kumar said the Army is engaged with private and public sector industries and academia for development of Sensor Fuzed Munition (SFM) and extended range ammunition.

"To give teeth to our precision capability, we are procuring loiter munitions, swarm drones, runway independent RPAs and the like.

"Due emphasis is also being laid on strengthening our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance architecture to enhance battlefield transparency, so as to have effective sensor to shooter linkages, also called 'Kill Chains'," he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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