Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)

Technology helped us take the enemy head on and win the Kargil by the laser guided precision bombs and heavy artillery. Data about enemy troop was required and Indian military sought GPS data. The space-based navigation system would have provided vital information but USA denied it to India. Our fighter Pilots flew real-time missions with hand-held GPS and use of airpower was one of the excellent features of the Kargil operations.

To avoid heavy reliance on GPS technology, ISRO established a regional navigation satellite system called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) earlier known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The project was approved in 2006 by the Indian government, the launch of the first NavIC satellite was in 2013 and completion of the NavIC constellation was in 2016.  NavIC became operational in 2017, offering Standard Positioning Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service (RS) for authorized / strategic users, with position accuracy better than 20 meters in its primary service area. And a year later NavIC was integrated in mobile devices to promote widespread adoption and usage. Continuous improvements and the addition of new satellites ensure NavIC remains a robust and reliable regional navigation system, supporting diverse applications in India and neighboring areas.

GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite-based navigation system developed and maintained by the United States Department of Defense since 1973. It consists of a constellation of at least 24 satellites orbiting Earth. GPS is widely used worldwide in civilian, commercial, and military operations, providing position accuracy within a few meters. GPS has been a Global pioneer for decades whereas NavIC has been an emerging Indigenous technology in recent times. NavIC is designed with a constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24 x 7. The coverage area includes India and a region up to 1500 km beyond Indian boundary. NavIC signals are designed to provide user position accuracy better than 20m and timing accuracy better than 50ns.

GPS offers a global solution, whereas NavIC is specially designed for regional applications within India, focusing on domestic needs, such as public safety and disaster management, which aligns with India’s strategic objectives.
 
https://www.isro.gov.in/SatelliteNavigationServices.html

NavIC, India’s regional navigation satellite system, focuses on applications particularly relevant to India and its neighboring regions. It is used for public vehicle tracking, improving safety standards in commercial transportation, and ensuring real-time alerts for emergencies, such as alerts for fishermen in distress at sea.. The technology is also used in disaster management efforts as it provides precise location data, which is crucial for assessing damage, coordinating rescue operations, and streamlining disaster response initiatives.

When India unleashed Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the world watched its advanced missiles, drones, and stealth assets. But one of the most decisive factors in the success of this coordinated military operation was invisible - orbiting silently above the subcontinent - NavIC, India’s indigenous satellite navigation system. India's use of NavIC during Operation Sindoor demonstrated several critical advantages:

- Independence from U.S. GPS: India could strike deep without relying on any foreign-owned navigation signals.

- Encrypted Military Channel prevented Pakistani jamming or spoofing during missile and drone missions

India’s vision for Navic includes hypersonic weapon integration for guiding future hypersonic glide vehicles. And Space command network for India’s Defence, Space, Intelligence and surveillance.

https://www.earlytimes.in/m/newsdet.aspx?q=175100

(NavIC maps are available, the free version helps location and directions but unlike say Google Maps, does not show vehicular traffic. I have not tried the paid version).

Previous : Chenab Rail Bridge. World's highest railway arch bridge

Chenab Rail Bridge. World's highest railway arch bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir on 6th June 2025, marking a major milestone in India’s railway infrastructure. It is the tallest railway arch bridge in the world. This event is also a significant development in enhancing rail connectivity in the region, especially between Jammu and Srinagar. It is:

The world’s highest railway arch bridge standing 359 metres above the Chenab River, it is designed as a steel arch bridge. Chenab Bridge with an overall length of 1315 m, an arch span of 467 m, and towering 359 m above the riverbed—making it taller than the Eiffel Tower and acclaimed as the world's highest arch railway bridge.

 

An engineering feat, built to endure extreme seismic activity and high wind speeds, the bridge represents a triumph of modern engineering in one of India’s most challenging terrains.

 

On connectivity, the bridge is a key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. It will significantly reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to about three hours, via the Vande Bharat trains – as against the 67 hours by road.

After an extensive inspection of the newly constructed Chenab Bridge by senior officers from Railway Board, Northern Railway and Konkan Railway, a trial run of the eight-coach Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train was conducted on 5th June. This was on a 46-km-long electrified line section between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi at a speed of 40 kmph. The world’s highest railway bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir, marks a significant step towards commencing rail operations on the Reasi-Baramulla route in Kashmir. 

According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the top infrastructure company that constructed the bridge, one of the main and earliest challenges was access to the bridge location, to transport equipment and construction materials. Eventually, on the North side of the river bank, an 11-km road was constructed and a 12-km road on the South side. Further comments on the challenges faced can be read here:

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/chenab-bridge-construction-horses-mules-worlds-highest-railway-bridge/article69667650.ece

 

Other articles can be read here:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/news/jk-pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-worlds-highest-railway-arch-today-chenab-bridge-in-8-points/articleshow/121667318.cms

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/pm-modi-inaugurate-worlds-highest-chenab-rail-bridge-june-6-top-points-125060500273_1.html

 

Next : Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)

 Previous: Muslims marry/remarry under the Special Marriage Act

Muslims marry/remarry under the Special Marriage Act

Many who talk of Women’s lib and their empowerment have preferred to ignore the glaring inequality of women’s rights under Muslim Personal Law in India. One important aspect relates to unequal inheritance rights of daughters wherein a daughter is only entitled to a share in property which is half of that of the son. If there is no son only 2/3rd of the property goes to the daughter and the remaining to the man’s brothers or other relatives. Also, the estate of a Muslim can only pass to a Muslim, which prejudices the wife or children following another religion.

After 29 years, advocate and actor C Shukkur, (known for his role as a lawyer in the Kunchacko Boban starrer ‘Nna Thaan Case Kodu’), remarried his wife Sheena — former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University — under the Special Marriage Act (SMA) in 2023 on Women’s Day with all three of their daughters in attendance as witnesses. The remarriage was done to save the property rights of his three daughters.

When a Muslim couple marries under the Special Marriage Act of 1954, they cease to be Muslims for the purpose of inheritance. Thereafter, their property is no longer governed by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act of 1937. The cascading effect of Shukkur’s initiative is now being witnessed on the ground. In the two districts where data was collected by them under RTI, Thrissur witnessed 144 registrations under the act, 133 such registrations were held in Kasaragod.

This trend, if it is indeed so, indicates one reason for the Uniform Civil Code proposed to be implemented by the BJP

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Jul/10/muslim-community-turns-to-special-marriage-act-for-fair-inheritance-in-kerala  

Next: Chenab Rail Bridge. World's highest railway arch bridge

Previous : Aarogya Maitri

Aarogya Maitri

In a groundbreaking development, India has introduced the 'Aarogya Maitri Cube,' the world's first portable disaster hospital, designed to sustain 200 survivors for 48 hours. This revolutionary creation has been conceived under the 'Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri' (BHISHM). In February 2022, a dedicated task force under the Ministry of Defence was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. As per the brief given, Air Vice Marshal Tanmoy Roy, head of the task force told  Media that BHISHM had to make something original and innovative. Being a doctor himself, along with 6 of his colleagues Roy understood what is required during a medical emergency of any kind and might, and how important it is to be well equipped and deploy aid at the right time. This led to the indigenously developed  Aarogya Maitri Cubes.

In January 2023, at the the Concluding Leaders’ Session of the two-day virtual ‘Voice of Global South, PM announced the ‘Aarogya Maitri’ project under which India would provide essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crisis. 

The idea of February 2022, was announced in Jan 2023 and already 'Aarogya Maitri Cubes' have been donated to Myanmar as a goodwill gesture

In the picture above, Indian High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka presented state-of-the-art Arogya Maitri Cube to Sri Lanka

The 'Aarogya Maitri Cube' is composed of three frames, with each accommodating 12 mini-cubes. The portable hospital consists of a four wheeled cage that encloses a total of 36 mini-cubes that suffice for a 100 survivors, for a period of 2 days/48 Hours, this arrangement is called a master cube. The design of the master cube is such that it can adjoin a similar master cube, to encompass a total of 72 mini cubes, catering to 200 survivors.

These cubes can handle various severe injuries, from bullet wounds to spinal fractures, providing critical medical support in the most challenging circumstances. Each Aarogya Maitri Cube comprises an operation theatre, mini-ICU, ventilator, blood test equipment, X-ray machine, cooking station, food, water, shelter, power generator, and more, all compactly packed into 72 cubes. These cubes, ingeniously designed for flexibility, are an innovative approach to disaster response. The contents of the cubes can be tailored to specific needs, whether it's responding to natural disasters, war zones, epidemics, or challenging terrains. This wholly Made-in-India product is affordable, costing less than Rs 2.5 crore for 72 cube boxes and can be airlifted.

The multifaceted aid kit proves to be helpful for astringent as well as the most severe injuries. It includes Forty bullet injuries, Twenty-five major bleeds, 25 major burns, around 10 long limb fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries or fractures and chest injuries. 

https://www.news18.com/india/aarogya-maitri-cube-india-builds-worlds-first-portable-hospital-to-keep-200-survivors-alive-for-48-hrs-8560481.html

Many details are available here 

https://asianatimes.com/worlds-first-portable-hospital-india-triumphs/

Next : Muslims remarry under Special Marriage Act

Previous : Amrit Sarovar

Amrit Sarovar

The objective of Mission Amrit Sarovar under the Ministry of Rural Development is to develop at least 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district of the country during Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. The Mission was launched 24th April, 2022 with a view to conserve water for the future through  rain water conservation and harvesting by renovating Amrit Sarovars which have reached the verge of extinction and constructing of new Amrit Sarovar. These would become the centre of local community activities. A user group is formed for each Amrit Sarovar for there community ownership and maintenance. 

The target was set to build 50 thousand Amrit Sarovar by August 15, 2023, this has been achieved ahead of schedule. As per their press release of 10th May 2023, 50,071 Amrit Sarovar have been completed. 

The aim is to conserve water for the future generations with the combined efforts of district administration, Panchayat Raj officials, public representatives, panchayats, voluntary organizations, various institutions and public participation in states and union territories.  In this on-going project, over one lac sites have been identified.

So far 59,282 user groups have joined Mission Amrit Sarovar for maintaining the Sarovar and generating their livelihood from it. Public participation has converted this mission into a mass movement. So far, 1784 freedom fighters, 684 families of martyrs, 448 families of freedom fighters, 18173 senior members of panchayats and 56 Padma awardees have participated in the mission.

An android application is used for inspection of all Amrit Sarovar that are built across the country.  There are several media reports on the status or planning towards achieving the targets. A report from Nashik, Maharashtra, can be read here https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/2l-people-to-benefit-from-131-amrit-sarovars/articleshow/100780760.cms

Like so many of the other government schemes, there is regular updationof status which can be seen here; https://amritsarovar.gov.in/. The current completion as on 29th July 2023 is 63,860

Next : Aarogya Mantri

Previous: Jal Jeevan Mission : An update