Naval Investiture Ceremony at New Delhi – 2020

New Delhi. Naval Investiture Ceremony to felicitate naval personnel who have demonstrated leadership, professional achievements and distinguished service of high order was conducted at INS India, New Delhi on October 14. Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, conferred the Distinguished Service Awards announced on the Republic Day this year to the recipients. Eight medals which included one Yudh Seva Medal, one Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) and six Vishisht Seva Medal (long meritorious service) were awarded.

The event is traditionally conducted as a ceremonial parade centrally for all awardees of the Indian Navy. However, in view of the prevailing pandemic, the Naval Investiture Ceremony is being conducted locally by each Command of the Navy. The award ceremony was witnessed by a limited number of senior dignitaries of the Indian Navy and the spouses of the awardees. All social distancing norms and COVID 19 protocol were adhered to during the ceremony. Though simple, the event was conducted in a manner to make it memorable to the awardees.

Joint Press Release of the 7th Round of India-China Military Commander-Level Meeting

New Delhi. On October 12, the 7th round of Senior Commanders meeting of India and China was held in Chushul. The two sides had a sincere, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas. They were of the view that these discussions were positive, constructive and had enhanced understanding of each other’s positions.

Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement as early as possible. Both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, not to turn differences into disputes, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas.

Six Day War Alliance, Causes, Aftermath

The Muslim nations in the Middle East would not accept Israel's existence since its founding in 1948. 

They began amassing huge amounts of sophisticated weaponry and lobbying for the implementation of boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against the Jewish State. 

Six Day War Causes

On the 15th of May 1967, on Israel's Independence Day, a 3-week period began which was one of the tensest and fearful periods in Israel's history. In direct contravention of international agreements, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser removed the UN peacekeeping forces and began moving tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of tanks into what was the demilitarized Sinai Peninsula towards Israel's southern border. 

Egypt also blockaded the Straits of Tiran, an open international waterway, which was essentially a declaration of war. Israel turned to the nations of the world, primarily to the United States, for assistance against Egyptian aggression but somehow all Western countries decided to remain neutral. Very quickly, it became apparent that the promises were all but forgotten. 

Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon Vs Israel

Israel, with 2.5 million Jews, was left alone to face the might of the Arab nations. Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon formed a military alliance and began moving forces into Jordan towards Israel's borders. When the Arab countries realized that the world had abandoned Israel, many other Muslim countries were openly calling for the destruction of Israel. 

The will and means to murder millions of Jews were evident. Top IDF commanders expressed their concerns that the high price Israel was liable to pay in a war with the Arab world. Some military experts projected a toll between twenty and a hundred thousand lives. Israel prepared cemeteries all over the country ready to accommodate many expected victims. Massive parks were prepared in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities, in case the cemeteries would have no more space. 

World governments, instead of defending Israel's right to exist, warned Israel continuously not to attack. However, the people of Israel had no choice but to go to war, to defend their country and their very existence. 

At 7:15 am on June 5th, 1967, the IDF launched operation "Moked"- Focus. Almost the entire Israeli Air Force was dispatched in a daring mission. Only 12 planes stayed behind. The risk of this operation was extraordinary as the fighter pilots flew at an unprecedented low altitude of fewer than 20 meters above the ground. Egypt had the most advanced ground-air missile defense systems in the Middle East. 

Most of the Israeli jets were old and outdated French planes. If the Israeli jets would've been detected, many would have fallen, and Israel would've been left with practically no air force. And then a miracle occurred: The most advanced Russian MiG jets that patrolled the airspace along the borders between Egypt and Israel were, for that one critical hour, grounded. Incredibly, at that very same time, the top commanders of Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq flew together to observe the Egyptian forces invading Sinai. The Egyptian officers had ordered all anti-aircraft units not to fire unless given a direct order as long as they were in flight. 

This created total confusion on the Egyptian ground as Israel struck exactly in that window of time. By 7:45 a.m. the High Hand of Providence resulted in the Israeli air force reaching all the Egyptian airfields without even one plane being detected. More than 200 Egyptian planes – almost half of Egypt’s fleet – were almost instantaneously destroyed, also bombing the runways and making impotent the mightiest air force in the Middle East. General Moti Hod, Commander of the Air Force said, The second wave of Israeli jets were directed to Cairo to confront the remains of the Egyptian Air Force. And here another miracle occurred, no less miraculous than the first. Even though Israel had lost the element of surprise, and the anti-aircraft systems were operating with full capacity, Egypt was only able to hit one Israeli plane. 

The Israeli Air Force went on to destroy a total of more than 300 Egyptian planes, and every airfield in Egypt was neutralized. It was nothing less than a military miracle... Seemingly impossible... And then another miracle occurred. It was as if God hardened the heart of Egyptian president Nasser who continuously gloated about his glorious military victory over Israel. 

In the Arab media, President Nasser spoke of the end of Israel's airforce and of the Egyptian tanks on their way to Jerusalem. Jordan, Syria, and Iraq believed these bombastic statements and wanted to join in the "great victory against the Jews". All the Arab airpower struck simultaneously on multiple fronts. In almost any other scenario, Israel would not have been able to respond as quickly as it did. 

The timing was seemingly orchestrated to position Israeli jets exactly where they should be. Not in six days, but in six hours the war was won. And then, perhaps, the greatest miracle of all... A miracle Israel never expected – Jerusalem. Again, it seemed as though it was a Divine appointment in time. Jerusalem was to be restored to the Jewish People, after 2,000 years. The enemies of Israel had twice as many soldiers as we did, three times as many planes, four times as many tanks. The odds were stacked against us on every military front. 

Aftermath of Six-Day War 

The love of Israel, self-sacrifice, and courage of the Israeli soldiers combined with Divine guidance and assistance made these miracles possible. Yitzchak Rabin, then Chief of Staff, was given the honor of giving the war its name. He chose the Six-Day War recalling the six days of creation as Israel too was created with the liberation of Jerusalem. As the center of gravity of the Jewish people has now returned to the land of our fathers, the Torah center of the world has once again returned to Jerusalem. 

The Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel has established the 28th of Iyar – a Day of Hallel and Hodaya, praise, and thanks for the salvation of our people and the liberation and return of our capital Jerusalem. Jews in Israel and in every country in which they reside come together in prayer and celebration. Similar to Chanukah and Purim, it sometimes takes many years for the miracles to be fully recognized and celebrated. 

The Mizrachi World Movement is involved in massive community-wide celebrations across the globe from London to Los Angeles, from Melbourne to Johannesburg, to Chicago and Toronto. For 2,000 years our hope never died. Our faith as a people never wavered. Wherever Jews were, whenever they prayed, they prayed to face Jerusalem. Whatever happened the night before, whether it was the Crusades, the Inquisition, Muslim oppression, or Nazis in Germany, the next morning, a Jew would wake up, dust himself off, put on his tallit, face Jerusalem and pray to come home, knowing somehow, someway, God would bring us back. 

This is our greatest celebration. To be alive in this generation, where the prayers of our fathers and mothers have finally been answered, to be alive and to take part in Jewish destiny. To experience miracles of Divine Providence, Bayamim Hahem Bazman Haze, like in those days but in our time. 

Books on six-day war 

Ukraine Crisis Explaination, Timeline

Introduction

Ukraine has never existed independently and its existence has always vacillated between Europe and Russia. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the centre of gravity in the region shifted to Moscow, and since then, Russia has been a force on the global scene. 

In modern times, Ukraine had an independent existence only for a limited period in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Post the Second World War in Europe, Ukraine has the second largest area and below Ukraine was the Crimean peninsula. 

Ukraine Crisis

In the period from 1853 to 1856, the region witnessed the Crimean War, in which the Russian Empire lost to an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain and Sardinia. 

The immediate cause involved the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land, which was a part of the Ottoman Empire. 

The French promoted the rights of Roman Catholics, while Russia promoted those of the Eastern Orthodox Church, The long-term causes involved the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the unwillingness of Britain and France to allow Russia to gain territory and power at the Ottoman expense.

From 1917 to 1921, Russia witnessed the Russian revolution, during which Ukraine vacillated and drifted under the control of Austria-Hungary Empire and the Polish empire. Post-1921, Ukraine again came under the control of Russia and remained there for some time Crimea was controlled by Russia, but in 1954, there was the transfer of power, annexing Crimea to Ukraine, Russia's Nikita Khrushchev decided to hand over Crimea to be controlled by Ukraine because Crimea was dependent upon Ukraine for all ts basic needs. Khrushchev was of the opinion that such a mechanism would be useful for the administration of Crimea and would not create an issue for Russia because Ukraine was under Russian control. This mechanism prevailed until 1991. 

After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the erstwhile Russian satellite states began to assert independence. Ukraine too asserted independence but was vacillating between having a pro-Russian or pro-eurozone regime. In the period after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, in a referendum in Ukraine, 90 per cent people voted in favour of separation from Russia. Since then, till 2004, Ukraine has vacillated and remained a state with loose control.

In 2004, Ukraine witnessed elections where Yanukovych won and initiated his rule. The election of Yanukovych was challenged by Yushchenko, who launched a protest against Yanukovych called as Orange Revolution. The Orange Revolution led to re-election in Ukraine where Yushchenko won. In 2010, Ukraine had the next election. In the 2010 election, Yushchenko lost while Yanukovych won.

Yanukovych was a pro-Russian leader, In 1994, Russia and NATO entered into an agreement that neither would resort to expansion in Europe. In 1998, Russia and Crimea entered into an agreement where Crimea agreed to allow Russia to station 25,000 Russian soldiers in Crimea near the Black Sea. This led NATO to initiate expansion and extend NATO membership to Poland and Hungary, In 2004, NATO expanded by offering memberships Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. 

Ukraine Crisis 2008

In 2008, the US initiated the process to bring Ukraine into the fold of NATO. In 2008, Ukraine has led b Yushchenko, who was a pro-US leader. As a consequence, the Russians entered into an agreement with Crimea where Crimea offered Russia access to a part of Sevastopol in the Black Sea region. 

As per the agreement, Russia would maintain a Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol and such Russian presence would remain undisturbed till 2042. 

Ukraine Crisis 2013

As this expansion and counter-expansion b NATO and Russia unfolded in 2013, the US-backed eurozone offered Ukraine a membership to the EU.

This offer was made to Yanukovych, a pro-Russia leader, in power since 2010. Russia saw this offer an indirect attempt by NATO to reach Russia borders. As Yanukovych rejected the deal to allow Ukraine to be a part of the EU, a crisis began to unfold. 

In the independence square in Kiev, massive protests took place to seek a pro-EU decision for Ukraine. Russia supported the counter-protests and this led to violence in Ukraine leading to the beginning of the Ukraine crisis in November 2013. 

Ukraine Crisis 2014

As the conflict intensified in February 2014, Yanukovych fled the country, signalling a victory for the rebels. Witnessing the situation turning in favour of the rebels, Russia, in March 2014, instigated Crimea to undertake a referendum. 

On 16 March 2014, Crimea ordered a referendum and 95 per cent people in Crimea voted in favour of Crimes joining Russia. 

On 19 March 2014, Russia took over Crimea and used Crimea to assert power in the region The 5 per cent people who did not vote in favour of Crimea joining Russia were the Tartars. The Tartars are ethnic Muslims in Crimea who have always been at the receiving end of repression by the Russians In the 1950s, Stalin had crushed the Tartars and even deported them to Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania. Post-Soviet disintegration, the Tartars settled back in Crimea again. 

Since 19 March 2014, Crimea is under Russian control. The US and other western states allege that Russia has illegally annexed Crimea, In October 2014, when fresh elections happened in Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko won the election. Poroshenko has favoured an equidistance policy and has maintained a distance from both Russia and the US. 

Over a period of time, the US to have realised its mistake of stirring up controversy in Russian backyard, Russia has tried to assert dominance on the entire issue. For Russia, Crimea and Ukraine are very crucial. The Russians get access to the warm waters of the Black Sea only through Ukraine and Crimea. Russia's northern stream and southern stream pipelines pass through there. These pipelines are lifelines for the European states of Germany, France and others. Russia supplies oil to the European states through these pipelines that pass through the region of Crimea and Ukraine. 

Ukraine Crisis 2015

The violence in Kiev, Luhansk and Minsk, along with other regions, has been under control since a 2015 ceasefire agreed upon between the rebels and others. However, the rebels who were armed by the CIA (which has pumped 5 million USD in the region) continue to possess arms as there has been no mechanism to take back the arms from the rebels

The Ukraine issue was a geopolitical conflict for dominance. The west has expanded through NATO aggressively and is at the doorsteps of Russia. An indirect attempt was made by NATO through the EU to penetrate into Ukraine. Russia lost its patience over NATO expansion and precipitated a crisis. Some scholars have observed that the crisis is only a beginning of a new energy war in Europe since the US is desperately looking for a shale gas market in Europe and wants to end the dominance of Russia in Western Europe. 

However, an assertive and rising Russia, as visible in Ukraine, Iran and Syria, is a pointer to the fact that the future could see the commencement of a new Cold War. The implications of the Ukrainian crisis on global politics are that Russia has tried to assert multipolarity and has conveyed to the US that it should learn to respect the opinions of others. Though India has not been a direct party to the dispute over the crisis in Ukraine, it has still maintained that it favours the Russian assertion of multipolarity. Multipolarity itself is a goal that the Indian foreign policy stands for. 

India has not condemned the Russian intervention in Crimea like most of the western powers as it believes that there are Russian interests in the region that need to be taken care of by Russia. However, nor has it openly supported the Russian invasion as stands for conflict resolution through positive dialogue.

Airbus to bring first Mars samples to Earth: ESA contract award

Toulouse. Airbus has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as prime contractor for the Mars Sample Return’s Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) – the first ever spacecraft to bring samples back to Earth from Mars. Mars Sample Return (MSR) is a joint ESA-NASA campaign and the next step in the exploration of Mars. ERO and the Sample Fetch Rover (SFR) are the two main European elements of MSR, both are set to be designed and built by Airbus. A manipulating arm, referred to as the Sample Transfer Arm (STA), that will transfer the samples from the SFR to the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), is the third European contribution to the MSR program. The value of the ERO contract is € 491 million.

The five year mission will see the spacecraft head to Mars, act as a communication relay with the surface missions, perform a rendezvous with the orbiting samples and bring them safely back to Earth. Prior to launch from the Mars surface onboard the MAV, the Martian samples will be stored in sample tubes and collected by the SFR, for which Airbus has already commenced the study phase.

For ERO, Airbus will use its autonomous rendezvous and docking expertise built up over decades of experience in optical navigation, using technologies from the successful ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) and recent developments from JUICE, Europe’s first mission to Jupiter.

“We’re bringing the full force of our experience gained on Rosetta, Mars Express, Venus Express, Gaia, ATV, BepiColombo, and JUICE to ensure this mission succeeds. Bringing samples back to Earth from Mars will be an extraordinary feat, taking interplanetary science to a new level and Airbus is excited to take on this challenge as part of this joint international mission.” said Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Airbus Space Systems.

To be launched on an Ariane 6 in 2026, the 6 ton, 6 m high spacecraft, equipped with 144m² solar arrays with a span of over 40 m – some of the biggest ever built – will take about a year to reach Mars. It will use a mass-efficient hybrid propulsion system combining electric propulsion for the cruise and spiral down phases and chemical propulsion for Mars orbit insertion. Upon arrival, it will provide communications coverage for the NASA Perseverance Rover and Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) missions, two essential parts of the MSR Campaign.

For the second part of its mission, ERO will have to detect, rendezvous with, and capture a basketball-size object called the Orbiting Sample (OS), which houses the sample tubes collected by SFR; all this over 50 million km away from ground control. Once captured, the OS will be bio-sealed in a secondary containment system and placed inside the Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV), effectively a third containment system, to ensure that the precious samples reach the Earth’s surface intact for maximum scientific return. It will then take another year for ERO to make its way back to Earth, where it will send the EEV on a precision trajectory towards a pre-defined landing site, before itself entering into a stable orbit around the Sun.

After landing, the samples will be transferred to a specialised handling facility where they will be quarantined. Once the sample tubes are opened, initial measurements will be taken to generate a detailed catalogue, enabling specific parts of the samples to then be targeted for specialist science investigations.

Airbus will have overall responsibility for the ERO mission, developing the spacecraft in Toulouse, and conducting mission analysis in Stevenage. Thales Alenia Space Turin will also have an important role, assembling the spacecraft, developing the communication system and providing the Orbit Insertion Module. The mission enabling RIT-2X ion engines will be provided by ArianeGroup.

About Mars Sample Return
Mars Sample Return is a set of three separately launched missions, which will together achieve the objective of returning Mars samples to Earth before the end of 2031.

The NASA-led Mars 2020 rover, known as Perseverance, was launched in July 2020 to land on Mars in February 2021. Perseverance will acquire Mars samples, cache them into sample tubes, and leave the tubes in one or more depots for later collection by the SRL mission and its European Sample Fetch Rover.

The NASA-led SRL is to be launched in 2026 and comprises a surface platform with a European robotic Sample Transfer Arm (STA), the Sample Fetch Rover (SFR), and a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). The surface platform will land in the near vicinity of the sample tube depot in the Jezero crater. SFR will navigate, locate and collect the sample tubes, and return to the lander platform. The STA will transfer the sample tubes into the Orbiting Sample (OS) then load the OS aboard the MAV. The MAV will launch the OS into Mars orbit, where ERO will be waiting to rendezvous and capture it.

The ESA-led Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) is also to be launched in 2026 and will have onboard the NASA-led Capture, Containment and Return System (CCRS), which will handle and bio-seal the OS as well as provide the Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV). ERO will arrive in Mars orbit on time to provide communications coverage for the SRL entry, descent and landing, surface operations, and the MAV launch placing the OS into Mars orbit. ERO will have to detect, rendezvous with, and capture the OS. The OS will then be bio-sealed and transferred to the EEV before ERO heads back to Earth.

Upon approach to Earth, ERO will release the Earth Entry System on an Earth entry trajectory. After landing in the desert of Utah, the samples are transferred to a sample receiving and curation facility.

Boeing Receives $477 Million Performance Based Logistics Contract from Defense Logistics Agency

MIAMI. Boeing received a Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract award valued at $477 million from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for supplies, full supply chain management and logistics services to ensure long-term, affordable sustainment of multiple weapon systems platforms. Work will be performed under a fixed-price, master services agreement.

Under the contract, Boeing will support individual contracts based on operational performance requirements. The first phase includes the delivery and supply chain management of Honeywell proprietary parts licensed exclusively to Boeing and is valued at $39 million.

“Boeing’s supply chain management and distribution capabilities will help ensure parts are accessible whenever and wherever they are needed based on their use, while reducing inventory and logistics lifecycle costs,” said John Guasto, Director of Global Integrated Services Support for Boeing.

Boeing will be responsible for forecasting, demand planning, acquiring, stocking, packaging and shipping the individually priced consumables directly to warfighter locations to satisfy daily demand requirements. The work will be completed over a five-year period with an additional five-year option.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries, leveraging the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

BDL pays final dividend to government for 2019-20

New Delhi. State-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Hyderabad-based Defence Public Sector Undertaking that manufactures missiles and a range of high-tech equipment for the armed forces, has paid final dividend of Rs. 35.018 crore (over $476,000) to the Indian government for 2019-20.

The Akash missile system that is part of a range of equipment manufactured by BDL

Commodore Siddharth Mishra (retd), Chairman and Managing Director, BDL presented cheque for Rs. 35.018 crore, being the final dividend pertaining to the government’s shareholding to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on October 13.

BDL has declared final dividend of Rs. 2.55 (0.03 cents) per share of Rs. 10 (0.13 cents) each for the financial year 2019-20. The final dividend declared by the Company works out to 25.5 per cent of the paid up share capital of Rs. 183.28 crore ($24 million).

Earlier, during March this year, an interim dividend of Rs. 6.25 (0.08 cents) per share amounting to Rs. 100.518 crore ($13 million) was paid by BDL for the financial year 2019-20 towards government’s shareholding in.

Raj Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence Production (DDP) and Chandraker Bharti, Joint Secretary (Aero) from Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion.

PHASA-35 successfully completes critical endurance trials with sensor payload

Further to initial flight trials, PHASA-35®, a 35 metre wingspan solar-electric aircraft, has successfully completed critical endurance trials which saw the aircraft operate for 72 hours in a simulated environment that models the harsh stratospheric conditions in which the aircraft is designed to operate.

The trials, a collaborative effort by BAE Systems, Prismatic and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), further advances the aircraft’s operational capability.

Known as critical ‘soak’ tests, the trials demonstrated the aircraft working effectively as a fully integrated system together with Dstl’s communications sensor payload; a radio frequency sensing software defined radio that provides a real-time and secure data link.

The trials further validated that the aircraft’s systems are capable of enduring the harsh temperature and pressure extremes experienced in the stratospheric environment.

Exploiting BAE Systems’ capabilities in digital testing and flight systems has enabled the testing to be completed through a series of highly representative ground-based tests, driving pace and reducing costs in the development phase of the programme.

The tests, which were undertaken in a dedicated 40m hangar at Prismatic’s facility near Farnborough, also enabled the team to practice the various operations needed in flight, including the transition from daytime, when the aircraft is powered by the solar array, to night-time, when the aircraft’s batteries are discharged.

Paul Mather, Principal Payload Adviser, Dstl, said: “BAE Systems and Prismatic have put the integration and operation of the user payload at the heart of the PHASA-35 design and it has been very satisfying to work with the team in so clearly showing the benefits of this approach. Dstl has a proud tradition of rapid proving of new technologies which provide military and security advantage, which this latest success reinforces.”

Ian Muldowney, Chief Operating Officer, BAE Systems Air, added: “PHASA-35 is a great example of how we’ve brought together the best in British expertise and partnered to drive technological innovation and deliver critical capability. This latest success, only eight months after PHASA-35’s maiden flight, further demonstrates how UK industry and our partners are accelerating pace to deliver the UK’s vision for innovation, a Future Combat Air System and information advantage.”

Paul Brooks, Managing Director, Prismatic, said: “I am extremely proud of the efforts the team have put into making these trials a success and to do this despite the challenges that a global pandemic has brought to us all. By taking the best from the large company experience that BAE Systems offers, together with the agility of a small, innovative company such as Prismatic, we’ve been able to drive the programme forward with continued pace, culminating in the seamless integration of this first payload. This is an important milestone in bringing PHASA-35 closer to market, working alongside DSTL in the process.”

Further flight trials are due to take place in the coming months and this latest milestone is another step forward for the aircraft which could enter initial operations with customers within 12 months of completion of its flight trials programme.

The PHASA-35 high altitude, long endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle (HALE UAV), successfully completed its first flight in February, less than two years from initial design. The UAV has the potential to maintain flight for up to a year at a time, in the stratosphere, providing military and commercial customers with capabilities not currently available from existing air and space programmes. PHASA-35 has a wide range of potential applications such as the delivery of communications networks, including 5G, as well as support to disaster relief and border protection. Its payload capacity can be adapted to meet the needs of the user to carry sensors such as cameras, thermal imaging and communications equipment.

The aircraft’s long-life battery and highly efficient solar technology allow PHASA-35 to potentially maintain flight for up to a year operating in the stratosphere, the upper regions of the Earth’s atmosphere, and will plug the gap between aircraft and satellite technology.

7th meeting of India-China military commander’s held in Ladakh

New Delhi. Military commanders of India and China have held their seventh meeting in Chushul for a “sincere” exchange of views on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh where tension has been festering for the last months following the incursion of Chinese troops in the area and have agreed to maintain their dialogue to take the process forward, a joint press release issued on October 13 said.

“On 12 October, the 7th round of Senior Commanders meeting of India and China was held in Chushul. The two sides had a sincere, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas,” the joint press release issued by the two sides said.

The commanders “were of the view that these discussions were positive, constructive and had enhanced understanding of each other’s positions. Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement as early as possible”.

“Both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, not to turn differences into disputes, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, the press release said.
Tension has been simmering since April 27 when a Chinese military vehicle intruded into the Indian sector near rivulet close to the ‘Finger Five’ area along the northern bank of Lake Pangong So in Ladakh. That led to a violent clash on June 15 in which 20 Indian soldiers, including their commanding officer, were brutally murdered. There were also an unspecified number of casualties on the Chinese side.

Since then, the Indian ministers for External Affairs and Defence have engaged with their Chinese counterparts in Moscow on the sidelines of a regional security summit while disengagement talks have also been held between the ground commanders in Ladakh but these have so far been inconclusive.

Exercise Suraksha Kavach: joint anti-terror drill by army, police in Pune

Mumbai. Terming it a “great learning experience for both”, the army and the police have conducted an anti-terror exercise in an urban setting in Pune city to harmonize their procedures for activating Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) to counter any such nefarious designs.

The Agnibaaz Division organized the drill on October 9 involving Quick Reaction Teams, Dog Squads and Bomb Disposal Teams of Army as well as the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and a Quick Reaction Team of the Maharashtra Police.

“A simulated exercise scenario was built up regarding the presence of terrorist in family accommodations at Lulla Nagar, based on which Quick Reaction Teams of Army initially established the outer cordon.

“Traffic control on the nearby roads was jointly carried out by Maharashtra traffic police and Corps of Military Police of the Army,” the Defence Ministry said.

A joint action was thereafter carried out by Army’s Counter Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) and Quick Reaction Team of Maharashtra Police to neutralize terrorists that involved room intervention drills, search of a room for any unidentified items/explosives by dog squads and their neutralization/ diffusion by Bomb Disposal Units.

An equipment display was also organized, showcasing important equipment required for the conduct of the exercise, that was carried out taking all safety norms of COVID-19 into consideration. The strength of the participating troops was scaled down accordingly.

“The exercise provided an opportunity for both Army and Police to cooperate, coordinate, co-opt and streamline their drills and procedures. Overall, it was a great learning experience for both,” the Defence Ministry said.

(Images from Exercise Suraksha Kavach: joint anti-terror drill carried out by the army and the Maharashtra Police in Pune)

Woman scientist finds solution for n-weapons in dust particles

New Delhi. Dust can reduce the effect of nuclear weapons? This has been proved by a woman scientist who came back to science after a hiatus of one year.

Such a break is common among Indian women who prioritise family over their career due to various circumstances. The Women Scientist Scheme (WOS A) fellowship of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) provides opportunities to such women scientists and technologists who had a break in their career but desired to return to the mainstream.

Dr. Meera Chadha from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi, availed this opportunity to not only return to mainstream science after a career gap but also to show for the first time, through mathematical modelling, that the deadly effects of nuclear weapons can be partially mitigated or reduced with the help of dust particles.

Her recent study published in the ‘Proceedings of Royal Society A, London’ illustrates the reduction in energy released and damage radius from an intense explosion (nuclear explosion in particular) by introduction of dust particles. She has shown how the blast waves from the explosion decayed in the process.

“During my Ph.D., I studied about shock waves and how dust particles contribute in reducing their strength. I came across a book titled ‘Science towards Spirituality’, former president, the late Dr. Abdul Kalam, was asked, ‘Can Science create a Cool Bomb that can defuse or deactivate the deadly atom bomb?’ This got me thinking,” Dr. Chadha said, explaining the trigger behind her research.

She utilised her break in career in studying about explosions and the possible effects of dust particles on them. The WOS scheme gave her the flexibility of time and enough resources in terms of equipment and funds to carry out her research and achieve her dream.

BEL bags ICC PSE Excellence Award for Corporate Governance

BENGALURU. Navratna defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on October 12, bagged the PSE Excellence Award 2019 for Corporate Governance awarded by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in a virtual ceremony. Mr Dinesh Kumar Batra, Director (Finance), BEL, received the award on behalf of the company.

Mr Dinesh Kumar Batra, Director (Finance), BEL, receiving the PSE Excellence Award 2019 on behalf of BEL for Corporate Governance, awarded by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), at a virtual ceremony.

The 10th PSE Excellence Awards, organised by the ICC online, is an initiative to salute the game changers and recognize the contributors to the Indian economy.

BEL received the award for its excellent Corporate Governance initiatives – risk mitigation measures, training on anti-corruption and good governance policies, sharing of information on public domain, Board of Directors with independent directors and women directors, Whistle Blower policy and internal audit.

The best practices adopted by BEL in Corporate Governance include: Digitalization of the Board – BEL has provided iPads to all the Directors for conducting various committee and strategic meetings through videoconference, complying with all the statutory requirements, and thereby saving time and cost of travelling, saving of pages for printing agendas and thereby giving boost to the Go Green Initiative; Independence – Ensuring independence to Independent Directors, allowing them to develop their own thinking, practical approach and flexibility in monitoring the company’s business. The expertise of Professional Directors having varied experience in diverse areas helps the Board immensely in establishing innovative Corporate Governance; Compliances / Disclosure practices; Shareholders Satisfaction Survey and Sustainable Development Initiatives & Ecological Sustainability.

Iraq War Causes and Remification, Sanction of USA

When we think about the Iraq invasion in 2003, it is very important to contextualize it and to do so, we need to go back in history.

Iraq was under the Ba'ath Party from 1968 until 2003 when the Iraqi state and the regime were toppled and the invasion took place.

Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq since 1979.  He joined the Ba'ath Party and had a long history and life of being politically active. His coming to power and taking the presidency of Iraq changed not only the history of Iraq but, also even the ideas of the Ba’ath Party. 

There was a time, for example in the ’70s and the ’80s, that the Ba’ath Party had very good connections and relations with Western Europe and the United States. So the Ba’ath Party itself was a secular party. It wanted people to be just loyal to that party, that was the main criterion But if you have any separatist anti-party activities then many people suffered. 

Sanctions of the USA on Iraq

In the Iraq invasion of 1990, the Iraqi regime had decided to invade Kuwait to annex it to Iraq And then in 1991, the United States had the first Gulf War as a punishment for entering Kuwait. That was a shift also in Iraq's relationship with the West, including the United States. 

So, Saddam Hussein became suddenly a villain, and then it was followed by 13 years of sanctions which most of the victims were the Iraqi people. Hundreds of thousands of people. who died because of a lack of medicine and food and basic human needs. 

The U.N. sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, U.N.S.C  banned almost, you know, anything you could think of that is remotely close in quotation mark.

Weapon of Mass Destruction and Iraq

To manufacture weapons of mass destruction from entering Iraq. Iraqi people, especially thinkers and academics, saw those sanctions as a way that the West used to sort of, attain the consent of Iraqi people paving the way for the 2003 occupation.

Because only when you have disempowered, tired, hungry people who are dying and suffering only then will you be able to sort of guarantee their acceptance or welcoming of occupation.

The official reason that was given during the build-up to the Iraq War is that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and it was causing a threat to the world. And so that was the script that was in the media and the newspapers that people kept reading about And that Saddam is very dangerous. He was supporting, directly, and or indirectly all kinds of militant and terrorist groups Again, the region is politically important. 

Iraq was becoming more and more sort of not suitable partner in the Western plan in the region There are the economic reasons- that the oil, the need to have dominance over resources in places like Iraq is very important And the Ba'ath Party nationalized all its oil and resources from the 1970s. It kicked out all the foreign companies. 

Effect of Iraq war

The histories were already becoming intertwined between the United States and Iraq. 2003- The Iraqi government was toppled and Saddam's rule was over. The occupation of Iraq took place and between 2003-2004. there was a lot of hope in the Iraqi public. They were hoping that now that the single-party rule, the Saddam Hussein rule is over and it's time for another kind of start where there are more freedoms and better democracies and people will practice a lot of rights that they couldn't practice during that political system From 2003-2004.

we have the Coalition Provisional Authority, the C.P.A. that was ruling Iraq until the interim Iraqi government was formed A lot of problems started during that time, during this rule from April 2004 to June 2005 in Iraq And one of the biggest things they did was the so-called "de-ba'athification" which is all the higher up officials of the Ba'ath Party from all Iraqi institutions, public services, public servants.

It's a very complex thing because a lot of Iraqis had to sort of symbolically be in the Ba'ath Party in order just to live in the society because it was the party ruling and so the "de-ba'athification" affected huge sections of the Iraqi society. It removed a lot of people. And so what that did, it did leave not just simply vacuum of power. 

It sort of dismantled the society Now, when you disband the entire Iraqi army in this blanket collective punishment Where will they go? 

Well, some of them left the country. Some of them just find a way to live. But, some of them became very angry, and they had to find other ways including finding insurgency. And then the successive Iraqi governments sort of operated on of the things that were prepared or done, drafted by the C.P.A. but also adding their own touch to it. 

The effects of the Iraq invasion of 2003 are huge on the average Iraqi people. Most everyone in Iraq suffered, so since Iraqi people have been sort of leaving the country from the '90s During the '90s.

The first Gulf War led to a lot of Iraqi people leaving the country to refugee camps and different places. Then the sanctions, many people for economic reasons, some for political reason, they were leaving. So the country has been bleeding its own people for a very long time. But the peak, the most difficult point that affected a lot of people and forced them to leave was after 2003. 

Iraq is a divided zone. You have one place under ISIS. You have the Kurdish region. You have the government in Baghdad. And all of these zones are friendly to some people and not friendly to others. You have the internal displacement. Not just they are leaving out - leaving within. 

The effects of this war on the American public have been huge. People either didn't understand how big this was going to be or they were simply misinformed. The question is that what were people told about this war?  What kind of information did they have before they even decided that they were pro or against the war? Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. And so what we know today is that was a false claim. that the war took place because of weapons of mass destruction What we are not sure about is whether that was known to those in power or not. 

In terms of how the Iraq War affected the region, Iraq has been seen as a strong country as a very important country in the region. at many levels. Before the war, it was seen as a military power, and intellectual power. 

Many people came to Iraq to study to learn. It was a very important place for a lot of Arab people. As soon as Iraq collapsed and was dismantled as we knew it before The affected how the people in the street of many Arab countries, Middle Eastern countries felt It was a very demoralizing kind of effect. So, when Iraq is totally sort of disempowered and turned into a malleable dismantled state that of course affects the whole region. 

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Rajnath Singh dedicates 44 bridges built by BRO across 7 states, UTs

New Delhi. Heralding in a new era in the connectivity of roads and bridges in sensitive areas close to the western, northern and north-eastern borders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 12 through video conference dedicated 44 major permanent bridges to the nation that would meet the transport and logistics requirements of the armed forces throughout the year, and laid the foundation stone for the 450-metre all-weather Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.

Union Minister for Defence, Mr Rajnath Singh dedicates 44 bridges built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) across seven States and Union Territories to the nation and laid the foundation stone for Nechiphu Tunnel on the road to Tawang, in Arunachal Pradesh, through Video Conference, in New Delhi on October 12, 2020. Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, the Defence Secretary, Dr. Ajay Kumar and the Director General, Border Roads, Lt. General Harpal Singh are also seen.

He noted that despite the border tensions and disputes caused by Pakistan and China, the country was not only resolutely facing them but also bringing about historical changes in all sectors of development under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The bridges, spread over seven states and union territories, are of strategic importance and provide connectivity to remote areas. The two-lane Nechiphu tunnel would ensure all-weather connectivity across Nechiphu Pass, besides providing a safe and secure passage through accident prone areas.

In his address, Rajnath Singh congratulated the DG and all ranks of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for their achievements and said that dedication of 44 bridges in one go in itself was a record, particularly in the challenging times of COVID-19.

Lauding the BRO for its role in improving the border infrastructure, he these bridges improved connectivity in the far flung areas and fulfilled the aspirations of the local people.

Noting that roads and bridges are the lifeline of any nation and play a vital role in the socio-economic development of far flung regions, Rajnath Singh reiterated the central government’s commitment to boost development activities in border areas and said that progress of all projects is regularly being monitored and adequate funds are being provided for their timely execution.

He said that the annual budget of BRO that varied from Rs. 3,300 crores ($4 million) to Rs. 4,600 crores ($6.2 million) in the years 2008-2016, saw a substantial rise and is pegged at over Rs. 11,000 crores ($1.5 billion) in 2020-21. There was no reduction of this budget despite COVID-19.

He also announced that the government has sanctioned high-altitude clothing to BRO engineers and workers.

Briefing the dignitaries, Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh, DG BRO, said the 44 bridges of various spans ranging from 30 metres to 484 metres, are located in Jammu and Kashmir (10), Ladakh (8), Himachal Pradesh (2), Punjab (4), Uttarakhand (8), Arunachal Pradesh (8) and Sikkim (4).

“They are of strategic importance and have been designed to facilitate movement of heavy civil and military traffic in border areas. In line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these bridges will contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas and will also assist in speedy deployment of armed forces in strategically important sectors,” he said.

Images of some of the 44 bridges dedicated to the nation on October 12 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The specific locations of the bridges have not been indicated.

In addition to expediting road construction, the BRO has laid special emphasis on construction of bridges by completing 28 major bridges last year while 102 major bridges are being completed this year, 54 of which have already been completed. Over 60 Bailey Bridges have also been constructed by BRO to meet the immediate requirements of the armed forces and people living in remote areas.

BRO has worked relentlessly even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions continuing with works of strategic importance like construction of major bridges and roads, Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, and Sela Tunnel, among others, and snow clearance for opening of strategic mountain passes.

In spite of unprecedented snowfall breaking a 60 years record, all strategic passes and roads were cleared for traffic about one month before their average yearly opening dates. This brought relief to people of border areas and ensured rapid and early movement of troops and logistics.

The dedication ceremony was conducted in the presence of Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat; Chief of Army Staff, Gen. M.M. Naravane and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar at New Delhi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, the Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, the Lt. Governor of J&K, with members of parliament, civil /military dignitaries along with members of the public at various sites in respective states and union territories.

Fidel Castro biography, Assassination attempts, Death and Top quotes

Fidel Castro 

Fidel Castro was the personification of the evil dictator- clad in his familiar khaki uniform and cap and chomping on his cigar, he ruled with an iron fist over his island nation.

Fidel Castro took on the United States and brought the world to the brink of nuclear holocaust. Shifting attention to his own country he decimated the economy, creating a Communistic dictatorship that forced the people to revere him, even as he ruined their lives.

Personal life of Fidel Castro

Personal Life Fidel Castro
Born	August 13th, 1926 Manassas in northern Oriente, Cuba
Died	November 25, 2016 (aged 90)
Education	law school, University of Havana
Political Party	Communist Party of Cuba
Fidel Castro Children	Alina Fernández, Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart
Fidel Castro Books	My Life: A Spoken Autobiography, History will Absolve Me, Che, Fidel Castro Reader, Fidel and religion, My Early years, Obama and the Empire, The Declaration of Hawana .etc

Fidel Castro Early Life

Birth of a Dictator Fidel Castro was born on August 13th, 1926, in the small farming village of Manassas in northern Oriente, Cuba. His father, Angel Castro y Igas, had immigrated from Spain in 1898 and picked up work as a bricklayer and railroad worker before starting his own business selling lemonade to field workers. From this humble start, he built a small sugarcane empire comprising 26,000 acres and 300 worker families.

Angel’s first wife, Maria Argota, gave birth to two children and then either died or simply walked out on the family. Angel soon took up with his young maid, Lina Ruz Gonzalez, who bore him three children; Angela, Ramon, and Fidel. 

The couple was married shortly after Fidel’s birth. They were a relatively wealthy family who lived in a Galician style two-story country house. Still, they lived a decidedly country lifestyle with chickens and pigs wandering through the house. Fidel was named after a local politician, with his name meaning ‘Faithful’. He had his father’s temperament, which meant that he was prone to violent outbursts. 

His sister recalls that if he was playing baseball and his team was losing he would simply gather up the equipment and walk off the field. A close friend and future novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez recalled that Fidel was the worst loser he had ever met. 

Fidel Castro Education

When he reached school age, Fidel was sent to study in Santiago, the second-largest city in Cuba. For the first two years, he stayed with his Godparents and as homeschooled by them. After that, he was enrolled at the Marist LaSalle School along with brothers Ramon and Raul. Fidel soon gained a reputation as a troublemaker and a bully.

When Fidel Castro was in the fourth grade, Fidel’s father received a letter stating that his three boys were the biggest bullies in the tired school. Angel was furious and pulled the boys out of the school. This enraged Fidel who threatened to burn down the house. He ended up being set to a more demanding Jesuit school in Havana, with his father threatening to cut off his allowance if his grades dropped below a certain level. 

Fidel responded by forging his school reports. Castro proved to be a decidedly average student but there was one area in which he excelled. He had a photographic memory, a fact which hugely impressed his fellow students. They would call him a page number from their textbooks and he would recite the page word for word. In his teens, Fidel began to develop his ability as a public speaker and debater. After an initial rejection, he gained acceptance into the Allevenada Literary Academy, which was the literary wing at the Jesuit school. At first, he was paralyzed by stage fright but he gradually became more relaxed and confident in his presentations. 

In October 1945, Fidel entered law school at the University of Havana. At the time the university was a self-governing body that forbade the police or army from setting foot on campus. As a result, it was a hotbed of clandestine activity by gangsters and political agitators. It was a very attractive environment for hot-headed Castro. Political Agitator Fidel’s first foray into political agitation was precipitated by a rise in bus fares that had been authorized by Cuban President Ramon Grau. Castro organized a protest against the fare rise and led a march to the Presidential palace. The police beat the students, with Fidel himself receiving slight injuries. He used the incident to his advantage by going to the press and receiving some sympathetic coverage. 

At the time that Castro enrolled at the university, there were two main gangster groups who were vying for control; the Socialist Revolutionary Movement (MSR) and the Insurrectional Revolutionary Union (UIR). There were frequent violent clashes between the two groups. Fidel quickly sized up the situation and began to maneuver between the two groups. 

Assassination attempts on Fidel Castro 

In December 1946 there was an assassination attempt on a leading member of the UIR and Castro was fingered as the trigger man, his assumed motive being to ingratiate himself with MSR leadership. As it turned out, it was the leader of UIR, Emilio Tro, who took Castro under his wing.

He gave Fidel a pistol, which the young budding revolutionary carried with him at all times. Tro had been planning an invasion of the Dominican Republic in conjunction with a group of Dominican exiles in response to the terrible conditions brought about by the rule of Rafael Trujillo. Castro quickly jumped on board and sailed with about 12,000 fellow revolutionaries to Cayo Confites on July 29th, 1947. 

For two months they underwent paramilitary training before setting off for the Dominican mainland. Meanwhile, Trujillo had learned of the planned attack and had even appealed to the United States for aid. The revolutionary leaders got cold feet and called off the invasion and the embarrassed Cuban army began rounding up the ships and taking the would-be attackers into custody. Castro manages to evade custody by jumping ship and swimming the eight miles to shore. 

The political career of Fidel Castro

In 1947, Castro visited a new model prison on the Isle of Pines as part of his legal studies. When he returned to Havana he criticized the prison and its inhumane treatment of its inhabitants. The following year he was part of a student congress that traveled to Bogota, Colombia. 

On April 7th, the group met with the leader of the Liberal Party, Jorge Gaitan, who looked likely to win the upcoming general election. Two days later, Gaitan was shot dead. Bogota erupted in violence and the students from Cuba were caught in the middle of it. Castro became actively involved, participating in the takeover of a police station. After three days, the authorities restored order, but not before some 3,500 people had been killed. Castro returned to Havana where he became a follower of Senator Eddie Chibas, the main opponent of President Grau. 

Chibas was the founder of the Cuban People’sParty. Castro campaigned hard for Chibas in his unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1948. Still, the two men were never close. Chibas saw Fidel as somewhat of an embarrassment due to his gangster background and Fidel only ever viewed the leader as an obstacle to his own path to power. 

Budding Politician In order to gain political respectability, Fidel cut off association with his gangster associates. He gave speeches on campus denouncing the two main gangs and naming names of those who were responsible for criminal activity. This made him a target for both groups and he was forced into hiding. Around this time Fidel, who was generally awkward and shy around women, met Mirta Diaz-Balart, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Cuba. The couple fell in love and were married in 1948, with Mirta’s father gifting them $10,000 for a three-month honeymoon in the United States. 

Most of their time was sent in New York, where Fidel learned some English. Returning to Cuba, the newlyweds moved into a hotel across the street from a military camp in Havana. In September 1949 Mirta gave birth to a son, who would come to be known as Fidelito. Having graduated from University, Fidel began a small law practice. Most of his time, however, was spent dabbling in politics. 

On August 15th, 1951, People’s Party leader Eddie Chibas was giving his usual Sunday radio address, urging the people to stop accepting the corruption of the government and take action. He then pulled out a pistol and shot himself in the stomach. The dramatic act was intended to rouse the people but Chibas had spoken for too long and his suicide attempt was not broadcast. For the next eleven days, Chibas lay in a hospital bed in terrible agony. At his side, the whole time was Fidel Castro. When the leader died, Castro was a prominent part of the honor guard that stood outside the University Hall of Honor, where Chibaslay in the state. 

As the military escort prepared to lead the body through the streets in a large procession, Castro entreated the captain to divert the route to the Presidential Palace. Fidel was convinced that he could rouse the people to overthrow the government. But the army captain refused, fearing that a bloodbath would ensue. 

The following year, Castro ran for a seat on the Chamber of Deputies. He managed to garner the support of the majority of the People’s Party members and looked in line to win in the upcoming election. However, on March 10th, former president Fulgencio Batista staged a military coup and seized power. He began rounding up political adversaries, including members of the People’s Party. 

Fidel and his brother Raoul went into hiding. The Batista coup diverted Castro from what could have been a promising diplomatic career in favor of becoming a fully-fledged revolutionary. He gathered together his own political group, drawn from former People’s Party members and followers from his University days. Traveling up and down the country, he put his oratorical and propaganda skills to full effect. After fourteen months, he had a following of 12,000 people. Rebel Leader Castro ran his organization with military precision and discipline. Drinking alcohol was forbidden and he imposed strict sexual standards. He also organized his forces at a cellular level, with members of each cell being unaware of the existence of other cells. 

By the middle of 1953, Castro had the support base he needed to stage his own coup. What he didn’t have were weapons - or the money to buy them. His solution was to attack a military base and seize its weapons. The base selected was located at Moncado. The attack, however, was bungled from the start - one of the twenty-six vehicles en route to the base had a flat tire; another took a wrong turn and did not arrive until the attack was well underway. When the remainder of the vehicles arrived at the base they were surprised to find it heavily fortified. The military defenders soon beat back the invaders, with eight of Castro’s men being killed. 

The remainder fled, but over the next few days, many of them were rounded up by the authorities. Sixty-nine of them were tortured and then put to death. Castro himself was put on trial before a military tribunal. He used the opportunity to speak out about the regime of Batista and the harsh treatment of his fellow revolutionaries. His courtroom defense statement ‘History Will Absolve Me’ would become probably his most famous speech. Still, he was convicted and sentenced to 15years imprisonment. Castro and his followers were sent to the Isle of Pines prison. 

Fidel used his time there to instill a supreme level of order and discipline in his men. The Castro rebels gained a reputation for their good behavior and were given ever greater freedoms. On May 6th, 1954, bowing to public pressure, President Batista granted amnesty to Castro and his men. The show of good faith from the president, however, did not stop Castro from speaking about the regime. When two of his men were badly beaten by Batista enforcers, Fidel became increasingly concerned for his own safety. 

Fidel Castro would move houses every two to three days and then, just two months after being released from prison, he left Cuba for Mexico. It was Castro's plan to build up and train a new wing of his revolutionary army in Mexico and then return to join forces with those already in Havana in a huge push to oust the Batista regime. His Mexican army began as a group of about sixty Cuban defectors who lived in six small houses under strict disciplinary conditions imposed by Fidel. It was during this period that Castro met Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, who would play a key role in the coming revolution. 

Castro launched his revolution in late November 1956 from the port of Tuxpan on the Mexican coast. It was planned to coincide with another uprising organized by a rival anti-Batista group. Fidel had bought a 60-foot boat that was designed to take a maximum of 25 passengers and piled 82 of his men on board. As it chugged its way toward Cub, the boat was in constant danger of capsizing. The journey was so slow that the planned five-day trip took seven days, meaning that they would miss the uprising of the other group. The boat beached at a place called Purgatory Point on December 2nd. But by now Batista’s army, who had already put down the first rebellion, had learned that Castro was on his way and had planes overhead ready to strafe the invaders and bomb the area. Only about a dozen men survived, Castro and Guevara among them. They began a three-day march through the forest, constantly being hounded from the air by the Cuban air force. They finally reached the Sierra Maestra region where they settled with the local villagers and began to regroup. 

Six weeks later Castro led thirty-three menon a guerilla raid on a tiny army garrison in La Plata. Two soldiers were killed and the rebels stole off with a number of weapons. A month after this attack, Castro decided it was time to get his propaganda machine in motion. He sent one of his men to Havana to bring foreign journalists back to the camp. The man chosen was from the New York Times and soon a three-part story had appeared in that paper describing the massive military buildup that Castro was organizing in the south of Cuba. Castro's support base grew exponentially, with more and more disaffected Cubans joining his ranks. 

In March 1958, younger brother Raoul began to establish a second force out of Oriente, which soon grew in number. Raoul proved to be a highly capable military commander, with his force capturing and destroying many planes, tanks, and military vehicles. In April, Fidel called upon the people of Cuba to stage a nationwide strike. He believed that this would be the start of his long-planned for the uprising. President Bautista responded by threatening to shoot anyone who participated in the strike. As a result, more than 140 people were shot down in the street. But this action only fuelled Castro’s support base and even more, people streamed to him. With the tide now decidedly turned in his favor, Castro decided to move. He sent Che Guevara and another of his commanders, Camilo Cienfuegos, on a westward march toward Havana, along with their rebel forces. The government forces put up virtually no resistance and the rebels were able to take control, one town after another. 

On December 31st, 1958, with Castro’s enclosing in, Batista resigned and fled the country. Three days later, Castro arrived in Santiago to a hero’s welcome. He gave a speech in front of 200,000 people. Hours later, Guevara and Cienfuegos marched into Havana and seized control of the reigns of power. The Castro era had begun. Castro’s Cuba The transfer of power was amazingly orderly. Castro had wanted his men against looting or destroying property. He had come to power on the backs of a huge army of poor and illiterate peasants. 

Now that he had gained power, he would need educated men to help him to govern. He chose to appoint his former professor, Jose Miro Cardona, as prime minister and Manuel Urrutia to be president. He made himself supreme commander of armed forces. Behind the scenes, however, Castro put the organization in place to ensure that he was the holder of overall power. In the weeks following the revolution, more than 500 Batista officials were tried, convicted, and put to death. That number would rise to 1,900 over the coming year. Within 7 months of seizing power, Castro decided that he no longer had any need for the puppet government. On July 16th, he announced that he was resigning from his position as an army commander because he could no longer work with President Urrutia, who he accused of corruption. Castro then disappeared for a number of days. 

Just as Fidel had intended, the people rose up in protest and demanded that the President must go. A frightened Urrutia sought sanctuary in the Venezuelan embassy before escaping the country. This allowed Castro to return in triumph and appoint himself as President. Castro now imposed totalitarian rule. Those who did not give him their absolute support were in danger of being seized and put on trial or simply shot. Within a few short months all signs of resistance within Cuba, including critical media, had been removed. 

Now Castro fixed his attention on securing external security. A focus was put on increasing the size and strength of the army. Six months after seizing power, Castro visited the United States, where he was greeted with enthusiasm by the media, politicians, and public alike. Behind the scenes, however, the Eisenhower government was already making plans for Castro’s removal. International Tensions In February 1960, the Cuban leader signed an agreement with the Russians, by which Cuban sugar would be traded for military arms and oil. This was at the height of the Cold War and many of the oil refineries in Cuba were American-owned. When the owners refused to process Soviet oil imports, Castro seized their businesses. 

The US Government responded by cutting 700,000tons from the US annual purchase commitment. In turn, Castro nationalized US-owned agricultural and industrial businesses. Castro's’ move had a huge impact on theUS Mafia, which lost about $100 million worth of property in the tourist industry alone. 

During the period of the nationalization of industry, more than 200,000 professional and upper-class citizens fled the country. Relations between the United States and Cuba governments became so strained that, in March 1960, President Eisenhower green-lighted the training of a group of Cuban exiles to stage an invasion to seek control. The ball was picked up by President Kennedy, resulting in the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion. Castro had gotten wind of the invasion and had his forces ready and waiting. With the lack of promised US air support, the Cuban rebels were cut to pieces. 

On December 1st, 1961 Castro went on national television and declared that he was a Marxist-Leninist and would be one until the day he died. The Soviets took a wary view of their newly declared Communist fellow but the Americans responded immediately, imposing a total economic blockade of Cuba. This led to economic disaster, with massive food shortages resulting. Finally, the Soviet Government decided to embrace Castro. They offered to station Soviet missiles on the island. In mid-October, 1962 the American government got concrete evidence of the missile operation, leading to what became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

President Kennedy placed a total military blockade around Cuba and announced that a military attack from Cuba on any nation would be seen as a direct attack by the Soviet Union on the United States. Castro urged the Russians to make a pre-emptive strike on the United States if the Americans attacked his island. After thirteen days, during the world was hair-trigger away from Nuclear destruction, the Russians backed down and agreed to remove the missiles. 

Castro was left completely out of the negotiation process - and he was not happy. Soviet President Nikita Khrushchev tried to placate him by inviting Castro on a 40-day trip through the Soviet Union. Durg the trip, Khrushchev offered to provide economic aid to the struggling island. In 1965 the United States announced that it was willing to take in Cuban refugees. This led to a mass exodus with a resultant huge loss of skills and manpower. 

The Sugar Cane Fiasco With the international situation had settled, Castro set his focus on making agricultural reforms to improve the economy. He wanted to increase the sugar harvest and set a target for national production in 1965 of 5.5 million tons, increasing to 10 million tons by 1970. These expectations, however, were totally unreasonable. Still, he poured nearly all of the country's economic resources into the sugarcane industry, leaving all other economic activity barren. The whole country, including the elderly, young children, and military workers were put to work in the fields in a desperate quest to reach his targets. Even Castro himself was said to have cut cane for four hours every day. As the rest of the Cuban economy fell by between 20 and 40%, the sugarcane project failed dismally to reach its projected targets. 

In 1970, Castro announced that the plan had failed. Typical of his flair for the dramatic he resigned his presidency. The people demanded the returns and soon he was back in power with the sugar cane crisis behind him. Throughout the 1970s Castro began looking for ways to extend his influence abroad. He began involving himself in revolutionary movements and sending forces to train and lead various guerrilla operations. His support of civil wars in Angola and Somalia up more of his country's limited resources. During the early 1980s, sugar prices and production had increased significantly. This allowed the Cuban economy to grow at a rate of 24%. But when the sugar price slumped dramatically, ballooning Cuba’s international debt to the west to $6 billion. 

At the same time, she owed $19 billion to the Soviet Union. The Soviets tried to help by increasing trade but, with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, all the agreements fell apart. The already weak Cuban economy was severely restricted. Strict rationing was put in place, the electricity supply became sporadic and tractors were replaced with ox-drawn carts. With his country on the brink of collapse,in 1993 Castro allowed Cubans to start private businesses. 

The following year he permitted foreign investors to own Cuban businesses. The economy, which had declined by 40% in the past three years, finally began to grow. The Death of a Dictator By the 1990’s Castro was an aging, isolated, and largely depressed dictator. The majority of his close associates were either dead or had been exiled. He still kept up his habit of only staying in a place for two or three nights, so he was constantly being moved around in a bulletproof Mercedes limousine. 

Fidel Castro Death

During this period Castro’s tight grip on the country seemed to loosen slightly. But then, in March 2003, he imposed a crackdown which saw scores of journalists, students, and professional people arrested as dissidents of the regime. In July 2006, the eighty-year-old Castro underwent surgery for internal bleeding. The following year he handed over the Presidential reins to his brother Raul. From then on, Fidel’s health gradually deteriorated. The end came on November 26, 2016, thought he exact cause of his death was never released. The country was in mourning for nine days. 

Top quotes by Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro 

1. Men do not shape destiny, Destiny produces the man for the hour.
2. They talk about the failure of socialism but where is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asia, and Latin America?
3. A revolution is not a bed of roses.
4. I think that a man should not live beyond the age when he begins to deteriorate when the flame that lighted the brightest moment of his life has weakened.
5. I find capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating… because it causes war, hypocrisy, and competition.
6. One of the greatest benefits of the revolution is that even our prostitutes are college graduates.
7. I am nearing 90. I will soon pass away like everyone else. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of Cuban communists are evidence that in case if we work with pathos and dignity, we can produce material and cultural values people need,” a 2016 speech at a congress of the Cuban Communist Party.
8. I am a Marxist Leninist and I will be one until the last day of my life.