New Delhi, Sep 27: Indian Army chief General Dhiraj Seth on Sunday called a land victory the only “tangible factor” of success in a war, despite increasing technological innovations in the defence sector.

In his address at the media Defence Summit 2016, General Seth said: “We see salvo after salvo in today’s social media covering warfare across the globe, where information narratives and warfare are being fired to fog the real battle picture, creating uncertainty and confusion…However, I strongly feel, through all this clutter, one reality that does not change: land will always be the one and only tangible and useful factor of success.”

“Victory was, is, and will always be measured in territorial terms and that territory will be occupied, secured, and defended only by the force,” he asserted.

“Every capability must address one question: how does it help that soldier who puts his boots or tracks on the ground? That is why I would place him at the heart of the capability development that you’re looking at…”

Recalling a photograph taken on December 16, 1971 that depicted Pakistan surrendering at the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War, the army chief said: “The reason I allude to this today is that that photo gave us a very defining moment, because that was the precise moment when the war came to an end. But there is no demarcating moment; there is no termination point which indicates an end to the hostilities.”

He noted that conflict timelines are becoming “increasingly indefinite”, with intermittent spikes of intense fighting.

“Technology is certainly shortening the battles, but it is not necessarily shortening the war. These millennium wars can best be described as wars with pause. Pause, in fact, is becoming a part of military strategy, with the pause representing not the domination of conflict but merely a change in its intensity and manifestation,” General Seth added.

Underlining that there is no substitute for self-reliance, he said when crisis becomes prolonged, being ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) will mark the winning factor between the victor and the vanquished.

“Atmanirbharta must be about ensuring that we have the capability to endure without being constrained by what others can or cannot provide. That gives us a good reason to take a hard look at the very pathways of our indigenous capability,” he said.

However, the Army chief advised caution regarding “indigenous obsolescence”.

“The challenge is not just to reduce dependencies on others but also to ensure that what we develop indigenously does not become outdated by the time it is dumped. I would like to term it as indigenous obsolescence or that kind of a trap that can get created,” he said.

According to the government, the value of India’s indigenous defence production increased from Rs 46,429 crore in 2014-15 to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.

Greater Noida, Sep 27: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that as global markets open up to India through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Uttar Pradesh’s annual exports are expected to more than double from Rs 2 lakh crore to Rs 5 lakh crore by 2030.

Addressing the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida, Goyal said that expanding exports, investments and global market access would contribute to the state’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

The minister said the expanding global market access through FTAs, investments, tourism and international recognition of Uttar Pradesh’s products and brands would create new opportunities for the state’s entrepreneurs. He called for active participation and cooperation from the state’s trade and industrial community in taking forward this development journey.

He said new investments are expected to flow into India from across the globe and noted that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a preferred investment destination, supported by favourable industrial policies and proactive industrial schemes. He said major corporations and global investors are arriving across sectors, creating new employment opportunities.

The minister highlighted the role of modern technology, international enterprises, and the evolving craftsmanship and technical skills of Uttar Pradesh’s youth in driving the state’s development. He said international events of this scale provide opportunities for direct access to global markets, enabling Uttar Pradesh’s diverse products, cuisines and services to reach international markets.

Goyal underscored the international participation at the UP International Trade Show, including six partner countries, hundreds of delegates and exhibitors, and buyer-seller meetings. He noted the participation of international stakeholders and the opportunities created for businesses through the event.

He highlighted the development of expressways, modern airports and industrial parks in Uttar Pradesh and noted the state’s growing presence across sectors including defence, semiconductors, electronics and other modern high-technology domains. He also referred to the expansion of a large robotics manufacturing facility in Greater Noida as an example of modern industrial growth and technological development.

The next frontier for Uttar Pradesh’s development lies in expanding exports in global markets, attracting international investments, strengthening tourism and building global recognition for brands from the state, he said, adding that the state is strengthening its foundation for greater global trade and progressing towards its development objectives.

The minister also highlighted the importance of coordination between the Central and state governments, along with the participation of citizens, youth and stakeholders from the trade and industrial sector, in supporting Uttar Pradesh’s continued economic and export growth.

Guwahati, Sep 27: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday visited Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi to review arrangements for the grand closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the legendary singer, composer and cultural icon Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika.

CM Sarma took stock of the facilities and preparations at the venue ahead of the concluding programme, which is being planned as a major tribute to Hazarika and his enduring contribution to Indian music and culture.

Sharing details of his visit on X, the Assam Chief Minister said the preparations were aimed at creating a memorable tribute befitting the legacy of the celebrated artiste, popularly known as ‘Sudhakantha’.

“Visited Bharat Mandapam today to review the facilities and preparations for the grand closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. We are curating an unforgettable tribute, one truly befitting the legacy of Sudhakantha,” CM Sarma posted.

The centenary celebrations have been organised to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Hazarika, whose music and literary works have had a lasting influence not only in Assam and the Northeast but across India and beyond.

Hazarika, who was born on September 8, 1926, in Assam, was known for his distinctive musical style and compositions that drew extensively from the cultural traditions and social realities of the Northeast.

His songs often addressed themes of humanity, social harmony, equality and the lives of ordinary people. The artist was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, posthumously in 2019. He had earlier received several other major national honours, including the Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

The concluding ceremony at Bharat Mandapam is expected to mark the culmination of a year-long series of programmes celebrating Hazarika’s life, music and cultural legacy.

The Assam government has been highlighting the centenary as an opportunity to showcase Hazarika’s contribution to Indian cultural heritage and to introduce his works to younger generations. The final event is expected to bring together cultural personalities, dignitaries and artistes for a large-scale tribute to the legendary musician and filmmaker.