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But it does not mean we will let our self-esteem be hurt, Rajnath said in the message to the armed forces on the eve of Independence Day.

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In a veiled message to China amid the border standoff, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday asserted that while India believes in peace it is also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression as he said "some in our neighbourhood" tried to carry out "misadventure of expansion".

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'There is room for cautious optimism following the Harris anointment that America will return this year to more normal politics after the aberration of the Trump presidency,' points out Shreekant Sambrani.

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Joginder Tuteja looks at 10 film-makers who returned to direction after a long time.

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President Ram Nath Kovind is addressing the nation on the eve of 74th Independence Day.
Here are some key highlights of his speech:-
- It gives me great pleasure to greet all the people of India, living in the country and abroad, on the eve of the 74th Independence Day. Youth of India should feel special pride of being citizens of a free nation
- On this occasion, we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of our freedom fighters. Due to their sacrifice, all of us are residents of a free country today.
- We are fortunate that Mahatma Gandhi became the guiding light of our freedom movement. His quest for equality and justice is the mantra for our Republic. I am glad to see the younger generations re-discover Gandhiji
- The nation is indebted to all the doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been frontline warriors in this fight against the corona virus

Aiming to boost surveillance capabilities against enemy warships operating in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy has moved a proposal to urgently acquire 10 shipborne drones which can keep a close eye on activities of the adversaries.
"A proposal has been moved in fast track mode by the Indian Navy before the defence ministry under which it plans to buy 10 Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems for over Rs 1,240 crores," government sources told ANI.
As per the plans of the navy, the drones would be deployed on big size warships of the force and would help them in the detection of activities of the Chinese as well as other adversaries in and around Indian territorial waters, they said.
The navy is likely to acquire these drones through an open bid and then deploy them on its warships for surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
The Indian Navy is working separately on a project to acquire Sea Guardian drones from the United States for expanding its surveillance in the country's areas of interest from Madagascar to Malacca Straits and beyond.
The navy is also getting its existing drones upgraded as part of an upgrade programme which was recently taken up for discussion in the defence ministry.

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Thirty-one army personnel too have been awarded the Sena (gallantry) medal.

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'If there is one thing our politicians, especially those with their ear to the ground, understand, it is the reality that their voters want three things from their children's schooling: English, English, English', notes Shekhar Gupta.

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Images from Day 2 of the second Test between England and Pakistan at the Rose Bowl, in Southampton, on Friday.

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On the eve of Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind approved gallantry awards for defence personnel, including Shaurya Chakra to three from the army for counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the defence ministry said on Friday.