Sqn Ldr Saanya becomes IAF’s first woman Cat-A qualified flying instructor
Squadron Leader Saanya has created history by becoming the first woman officer to achieve the coveted Category-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Monday. In a post on X, the IAF said, “Excellence takes flight. Squadron Leader Saanya achieved a historic first by becoming the first woman officer to earn the coveted Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification." Highlighting her achievement, the Air Force added, “Her achievement embodies dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence. A proud milestone for the IAF and an inspiration for aspiring aviators across the nation."
Acclaimed agriculture scientist Gopal Ji Trivedi to be conferred Padma Shri posthumously on May 25
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Padma Shri posthumously on Dr Gopal Ji Trivedi, acclaimed agriculture scientist and former vice-chancellor of the Rajendra Agriculture University in Pusa, Bihar, on May 25 for his contributions to the field of agriculture. Trivedi, who passed away on May 12 at the age of 96, was known for his pioneering work in agricultural extension education and rural development. Born on February 15, 1930, Trivedi earned his BSc in Agriculture and M.Sc in Agriculture Extension Education degrees from the Bihar Agricultural College in Sabour, before completing his PhD in the same subject from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARU) in Delhi in 1963. He later served as a professor at the Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Bihar, and as director of extension education at the Rajendra Agriculture University, and subsequently as the vice-chancellor of the same varsity from 1988 to 1991. Trivedi was widely known for developing the socio-economic status scale for rural families, popularly referred to as the ‘Trivedi Scale’, which introduced quantitative measurement of qualitative socio-economic indicators in rural studies. Popularly known in the region as ‘Gaon Purush’, ‘Kishan Mitra’ and ‘Karma Yogi’, Trivedi spent more than three decades in his native village, working closely with farmers to improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. He also pioneered the Bihar Aquaculture Based Agriculture (BABA) model by helping farmers convert waterlogged land into fish-based farming systems, besides encouraging winter maize cultivation and modern litchi orchard management techniques in the eastern state. Over the years, Trivedi received several honours, including the Krishi Rishi Award in 2015 and a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by former president Pratibha Patil in 2011 for his contributions to agriculture.
India set to finalise $8-billion German submarine project
India and Germany’s joint project to produce the latest submarines for the Navy is set to be finalised in the next few weeks. A crucial inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled before the two countries cement what could become their biggest military contract. Sources said the project was in the final stages of approval and was part of the submarine action plan aimed at augmenting the Navy’s underwater fleet. The India-Germany project involves the construction of the German Type 214 conventional submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology. It includes German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), which has tied up with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to build six submarines in India at an estimated cost of $8 billion. In June last year, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the construction of six stealth submarines. The MoU aims to combine Germany’s latest submarine technology with MDL’s manufacturing capabilities for the production of six conventional submarines under the Indian Navy’s Project-75. Under the agreement, TKMS will contribute to the engineering and design of the submarines and provide consultancy support for the joint project, while MDL will be responsible for their construction and delivery. The submarines will be built in India and are expected to have significant indigenous content.
