Homecoming: CDS wears traditional attire
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan swapped his fatigues for traditional attire on Friday, returning to his roots in village Gawana. The village rolled out the red carpet for its favourite son’s maiden visit since his appointment. After offering prayers at the Rajrajeshwari Temple in Devalgarh, the general looked quite at home. Earlier this week, he was busy laying foundation stones for heritage museums in Mana and Harsil. With a keen eye on preserving Garhwal’s history and military legacy, the CDS aims to turn these outposts into cultural beacons. He reminded locals that the army and border residents are two sides of the same coin.
Rawat hosts summer feast, asserts relevance
After an “earned political hiatus”, former CM Harish Rawat is back in the game, quite literally. Hosting a summer feast featuring cucumbers, melons, and millet at his Dehradun residence, Rawat turned a simple gathering into a potent political signal. Much like his famous ‘Malta’ parties, these events are calculated moves to promote local produce while reconnecting with grassroots. By breaking bread with supporters, the veteran leader is asserting his relevance both within and outside party ranks. Amid the refreshments, he didn’t shy away from policy or offering cautious support for the women’s quota bill. Rawat, it seems, is ripe for a comeback.
Char Dham Yatra talks take gender turn
In a refreshing departure from the usual high-octane traffic discussions, the Char Dham Yatra 2026 preparations took a gender-inclusive turn. Anita Chamola, RTO (Enforcement), steered the conversation toward “Nari Shakti – Sadak Suraksha Sankalp”, a seminar aimed at fortifying road safety through female empowerment. Transport Minister Pradeep Batra lauded the move, noting that women in transport are catalysts for a safer, sensitive transit system. Guest of honour Manisha Batra added: for women navigating the traditionally rugged terrain of transport, dignity and a secure environment are non-negotiable.
Narendra sethi
Our correspondent in Uttarakhand
narendrasethi@newindianexpress.com