Page 6 - NIS English 16-31 March, 2026

NEWS BRIEFS
President Undertakes A Sortie In Indigenous LCH Prachand

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie
in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter
PRACHAND at Air Force Station Jaisalmer,
Rajasthan, on February 27. Earlier, she undertook
sorties in Sukhoi 30 MKI and Rafale in 2023 and
2025, respectively. President Droupadi Murmu
flew in the lead aircraft with Gp Capt Nayan
Shantilal Bahua, while Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief
Marshal AP Singh and Gp Capt A Mahendra flew
as Number 2 in the second aircraft. During the
approximately 25-minute mission, they flew over
Gadisar Lake and Jaisalmer Fort and attacked a
Tank Target. Commenting on her experience after
the flight, the President said,
“The sortie in India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ is an enriching
experience for me. This sortie has filled me with a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence
capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station Jaisalmer for
successfully organising this sortie. ”.

Tamil Nadu farmers
have gained Global
Recognition ANJDEEP
India’s New Warrior

India’s new warrior, ‘Anjdeep’, marks a
significant milestone in strengthening India’s
maritime security and strategic capabilities.
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Anjdeep
at the Chennai Port on February 27th in the
presence of the Admiral, Chief of Naval Staff
Dinesh K Tripathi. Designed to function as
a “Dolphin Hunter”, the ship will enhance
India has achieved a historic milestone the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare
in agricultural exports. The first GI- capabilities and coastal surveillance capabilities,
tagged Salem sago consignment has primarily aimed at detecting, pursuing, and
been dispatched from Tamil Nadu to neutralising enemy submarines in coastal areas.
Canada. This export will increase the The ship is equipped with an indigenous, state-
income of many farmers, including of-the-art anti-submarine weapons and sensor
tribal communities engaged in tapioca package, including the hull-mounted sonar
cultivation. It will also strengthen the Abhay, and is also equipped with lightweight
country’s agricultural exports and open torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets.
up opportunities in the international
market. Tamil Nadu is the largest
producer of tapioca in India. The sago
industry in Salem is the mainstay of the
livelihoods of thousands of farmers and
tribal communities engaged in tapioca
cultivation. Salem is recognised as a major
hub for sago and starch production and is
the mainstay of livelihood for thousands
of farmer families.

4 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || March 16-31, 2026