Paramilitary Forces Embrace 'Sandes App' for Secure Official Commute
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering data security and prioritising indigenous technology, paramilitary forces transitioned to the 'Sandes App' for all official communication and document sharing in the new year January 2024. This shift underscores the growing importance of safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring secure messaging platforms within security organisations.
The decision to adopt the 'Sandes App' stems from the prevalent use of WhatsApp for internal communication within paramilitary forces. While WhatsApp has been a popular choice, the paramount emphasis on data safety necessitated a transition to a platform designed and developed in India. The 'Sandes App,' developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), emerges as a robust alternative.
The 'Sandes' application is an open source-based indigenous instant messaging platform tailored to meet the stringent security requirements of government organizations. Its key features include:
End-to-End Encryption: Ensuring secure and private messaging communication.
Encrypted Backup: Safeguarding data with an additional layer of encryption during backup processes.
Encrypted OTP Service: Providing secure one-time password services for authentication.
Data Privacy: The app does not share data with third parties and adheres to the privacy and data policies governed by the Government of India.
Starting from the first week of January, all paramilitary forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), are advised to transition to the 'Sandes App' for all official communication and document sharing.
India-UAE joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone' to be Held in Rajasthan
The Joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' between India and UAE will be held from January 2 to January 15 in Rajasthan.
The joint drills under 'Desert Cyclone 2024' will aim to enhance interoperability by learning and sharing best practices in urban operations.
The first-ever India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise took place in September 2008 at the Al-Dhafra base in Abu Dhabi.
Dec 31, 2023
Rahul Rasgotra New ITBP Chief
Rahul Rasgotra, the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), was appointed as the new Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He is a 1989-batch IPS officer but from the Manipur cadre.
Dec 29, 2023
Anish Dayal Singh is New CRPF Chief
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief Anish Dayal Singh was appointed as the Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Singh, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Manipur cadre, was holding the additional charge of the CRPF following the retirement of S. L. Thaosen in November 2023.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Singh's appointment as DG, CRPF up to December 31, 2024, i.e. the date of his superannuation.
Indian Navy Unveils New Shivaji-inspired Designs of Epaulettes for Top Officers
The Indian Navy unveiled the new design of epaulettes that officers will wear, drawing inspiration from Rajmudra of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the introduction of the new design during the Navy Day address at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. The new design was released for the ranks of Admiral, Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral, the top three positions in the naval forces.
The reflection of the Maratha ruler's maritime legacy in new epaulettes, a shoulder piece that signals an officer's rank, is an attempt to leave the mentality of slavery, which the current design feature — Nelson's Ring, a colonial legacy.
Nina Singh Becomes 1st Woman to Head CISF
The Centre appointed Nina Singh as the Director General of CISF, making her the first woman to head this elite force.
Nina Singh was the first woman IPS officer allocated to the Rajasthan cadre where she served in many important assignments across the state. She also worked as Joint Director in the CBI during 2013-18 where she supervised many high-profile cases having national and international ramifications.
She has been working in the CISF since 2021, first as ADG and then as Special DG, and DG in-charge since August 31, 2023. A native of Bihar, she has studied at the Patna Women's College, JNU and Harvard University.
Dec 25, 2023
Indian Navy Commissions INS Imphal at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard
The Indian Navy commissioned its latest Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer INS Imphal at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the Chief Guest.
The latest destroyer's commission marked the formal induction into the Navy of the third of four 'Visakhapatnam' class destroyers, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mumbai's Mazagon Dock Limited.
Dec 22, 2023
Defence Ministry Seals Deal to Procure 6 Patrol Vessels for Coast Guard
The defence ministry signed a Rs. 1,614 crore contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Ltd for procurement of six next generation offshore patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard. The acquisition of the platforms is aimed at boosting the Coast Guard's capability towards maritime security.
The contract was made under the buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
Out of the six vessels being procured, four would replace the existing aging offshore patrol vessels and the other two would augment the Coast Guard's fleet.