MANGALURU l Monday l November 24, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l CITY EDITION British Indian spy honoured with new stamp in France Noor Inayat Khan, Tipu Sultan’s descendant, has become the only Indian-origin woman honoured with a French postage stamp for her WWII role leading light of figures de resistance The French postal service, La Poste, honoured Noor with a stamp issued to honour the ‘Figures of the Resistance’ who fought against Nazi Germany. She is among a dozen war heroes and heroines chosen on the set of stamps issued this month to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. Britain honoured Noor in 2014 to mark the centenary of her birth moved to london after fall of france ■ Born Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan in Moscow in 1914 to an Indian Sufi saint father and American mother, Noor moved to London before settling in Paris for her school years ■ Following the fall of France during WWII, her family escaped to England and Noor joined the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force 30 years noor’s age when she was executed by nazi forces in 1944 CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI first Mahe class anti-submarine vessel joins navy MAYANK SIN G H @ New Delhi AMID Pakistan’s reported plans to boost its underwater combat strength, the Indian Navy will commission INS Mahe, the first of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on Monday. The ceremony will be presided over by Ar my Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. Announcing the induction, the Navy said the commissioning of Mahe marks the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallowwater combatants—sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian. “She will serve as a silent hunter on the Western Seaboard, powered by self-reliance and dedicated to safeguarding India’s maritime frontiers,” the Navy said. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Mahe has more than 80 percent indigenous design, and highlights the country’s growing expertise in warship technology and qualities critical for coastal French Navy calls out Pak media misinformation and littoral operations. Equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems, the vessel can conduct anti-submarine missions, coastal patrols, and minelaying operations. The Mahe-class ships, 78 metres long with a displacement of about 900 tonnes, can reach speeds up to 25 knots and have an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles. A total of 16 ASW-SWC vessels are being bu i l t — e i g h t e a ch at Cochin Shipyard and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata—under contracts signed in 2019. Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe, the ship’s crest features the Urumi, the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu, symbolising agility and lethal grace. These ships will strengthen coastal defence along India’s 7,516-km coastline and enhance Navy’s shallow-water anti-submarine capabilities. The induction is keeping in mind China’s Hangorclass submarine project for the Pakistan Navy . Claims made by Geo TV, attributed to a French commander, contained “misinformation and disinformation, it said | P9 PM moots global AI compact to check misuse Says critical technologies must be human-centric, not finance-centric; announces AI summit in India next year UN reforms a necessity, no longer optional: Modi JAYANTH JACO B @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged world leaders at the G20 summit in Johannesburg to forge a global AI compact, and stressed the need to prevent misuse while harnessing artificial intelligence for inclusive and responsible global development. “We all have to ensure that AI is used for the global good and its misuse is avoided. For this, we need to create a global compact on AI that is based on some core principles,” Modi said, putting emphasis on oversight, safety-by-design, transparency , and strict restrictions on AI in dee pfakes, crime, and terrorism. “AI systems that affect human life, security, or public trust must be responsible and accountable. Most importantly , AI should enhance human capabilities, but the ultimate responsibility for decision-making will always remain with humans,” he said. The PM also announced that the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in February next year will be themed Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay (Welfare for all, Happiness for all) and invited all G20 countries to take part in the mission. He stressed the need to shift from “jobs of today” to “capabilities of tomorrow,” underlining the importance of constant innovation. Outlining India’s approach “At a time when the world appears fragmented and divided, IBSA can provide a message of Prime Minister Narendra unity cooperation, and human, Modi on Sunday made a strong ity,” Modi added, addressing appeal for reforms in the UN South African President Cyril Security Council and urged Ramaphosa and Brazil’s Presithat the India-Brazil-South Af- dent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. rica (IBSA) grouping should He called for institutionalissend a clear message that ing NSA-level meetings within changes to global governance IBSA to strengthen security coinstitutions are no ordination among the longer optional but a three countries in the pressing necessity . fight against terrorS p e a k i n g at t h e ism. “There is no place Global institutions IBSA leaders’ summit for any double standno longer on the sidelines on the represent today’s ards on such a serious G20 summit in Johan- world. Therefore, issue,” he added. nesburg, Modi under- IBSA must send a Modi also highlightscored the role of the unified message ed the potential of to the world: grouping in projecting technology in fosterinstitutional unity and cooperation ing human-centric dereform is not an at a time when the velopment. He prooption but a world appears increasposed an IBSA Digital prerogative ingly fragmented. Innovation Alliance to “First, we all agree facilitate the exchange Narendra Modi, PM that global institutions of digital public infrado not reflect the realities of structure, including India’s the 21st century None of us is a Unified Payments Interface, . permanent member of the UN health platfor ms such as Security Council. This clearly CoWIN, cybersecurity framedemonstrates that global insti- works, and women-led technoltutions no longer represent to- ogy initiatives. The alliance day’s world. Therefore, IBSA aims to help member countries must send a unified message to leverage digital innovation to the world: institutional reform drive inclusive growth while is not an option but a preroga- strengthening collaboration on tive,” Modi said. emerging technologies. Express news service @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a session at the G20 Summit, in Johannesburg | AP to AI, Modi said it rests on three pillars of equitable access, population-scale skilling, and responsible deployment. “Under the India-AI Mission, we are creating accessible high-performance computing so that the benefits of AI reach every district and every language,” he told the G 20 leaders. The PM emphasised that technology must be human-centric, global, and open-source rather than Modi meets key leaders Modi held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He separately met the prime ministers of Japan, Netherlands and Jamaica, and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva finance-centric, national, or exclusive. “We have to promote technology applications that are ‘human centric’ instead of ‘finance centric’, which are ‘global’ instead of ‘national’ and ‘open source’ instead of ‘exclusive models’. We have tried to integrate this vision in all technology projects of India.” He cited India’s leadership in digital payments and its effective response during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering vaccines and medicines to more than 150 countries, to underline the potential of inclusive technological and economic growth. “Development should be sustainable, business should be trusted, finance should be fair, and progress should bring allinclusive prosperity the prime ,” minister said. This is the first G20 summit held in Africa. 124 cops suspended in 10 months, 7th accused taken for a ride in heist case ‘Guru’ from roadside tent criminal activities up among force surrenders dupes techie of `48L to R a k s h i t h G o w d a @Bengaluru The police are expected to instill fear among criminals and confidence among the public, but the Bengaluru City Police is battling a crisis of credibility. While instances of corruption involving police personnel are not new, recent cases show officers themselves being involved in criminal activities. In the last ten months, 124 police personnel of various ranks, including 10 inspectors and 82 constabulary staff, have been suspended for their alleged involvement in offences ranging from robbery to corruption, from drug peddling to dereliction of duty . According to the data shared by the police, among the suspended are 10 inspectors, 16 sub-inspectors, 16 assistant sub-inspectors, 41 head constables and 41 constables. City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh told TNIE, “We are taking strict action against those involved in criminal activities and for showing conduct amounting to negligence and dereliction of duty. I have instructed all joint commissioners and deputy commissioners of police to hold meetings in their respective divisions and make officers aware of departmental rules. If anyone fails to follow discipline, action will be initiated.” Immediate action is being taken against officers involved in criminal activities. “Such activities break the discipline of the force and affect public trust. The police department is one of the largest in the state with significant manpower,” he said. A senior IPS officer said that whenever police staff is found involved in misconduct or criminal activity, a departmental enquiry is initiated. “If they are involved in a criminal activity, an FIR is registered in addition to DE. A higher-ranked officer conducts the probe, depending on the rank of the accused officer. Based on the gravity of the offence, punishment varies, from dismissal or discharge from service to reduction of increment or compulsory leave and others,” he said, adding that around 90% of suspensions are due to dereliction of duty. He said dereliction of duty includes failing to follow departmental discipline. But corruption or criminal activities often stem from poor supervision and financial pressures, he added.P7 We are taking strict action against those involved in criminal activities and for showing conduct amounting to negligence and dereliction of duty. If anyone fails to follow discipline, action will be initiated — Seemanth Kumar Singh, City Police Commissioner Express News Service @Bengaluru The seventh accused in the Rs 7.11 crore daylight robbery case surrendered before the police late on Saturday night. So far, the police have recovered Rs 6.28 crore in cash from the robbed amount. The accused was arrested by the Siddapura police after he surrendered. He has been identified as Rakesh, brother of Ravi, who was arrested in Hyderabad and is allegedly the mastermind and head of the operational team. A senior police officer said the search is on for Dinesh, who is believed to be hiding with the remaining Rs 83 lakh. “Ravi was arrested in the city late on Saturday night, but the money is yet to be recovered,” the officer said.  cure his ‘sexual problems’ Express News Service @Bengaluru A 29-year-old software engineer, depressed about not having a child and disappointed with his allopathic medical treatment, approached a roadside tent run by a self-styled ‘ yurvedic guru’ A who promised him a quick cure. But at the end of it all, he had lost Rs 48 lakh and had ruined his kidneys after consuming the herbal products that were prescribed to him. He continued with the Ayurvedic treatment for three to four months as the guruji threatened him that his condition would get worse if he did not continue with the medicines. The victim, Akhilesh (name CONTINUED ON: P6 Security check Anti-drone systems at all civilian airports, shortly m u k e s h r a n j a n @ New Delhi THE Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) at a joint meeting, held recently have decided to deploy , anti-drone systems at all major and minor civil airports in view of “a possible war-like situation emerging in future,” officials said on Sunday . According to them, initially, it has been decided to install the system at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar and also Jammu and Srinagar. The decision has been taken in view of the experience gathered during ‘Operation Sindoor’ and also due to global military escalations that have featured an increased use of drones. It is reliably learnt from officials that the anti-drone equipment will thwart any possible attack using ro gue drones. The system will be installed for the first time at civilian air- ports only a senior official told , this paper on Sunday . The decision was arrived at after multiple high-level meetings. Though the MHA has been overseeing the project, a committee has been constituted by the BCAS, with members drawn from aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other stakeholders. Officials said the modalities and specifications of the equipment are currently being looked into and once everything is finalised, the MHA will coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in implementing and commissioning the project. However, officials said the entire project would be commissioned only in a phased manner, with sensitive airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Srinagar and Jammu covered in the first phase followed by the scheme being rolled out in the remaing airports. A senior official in the know said, “The authorities will fix deadlines for commissioning the equipment at different airports only after finalization of specifications ... then airport operators will be directed to install the technology that fits our criteria. Models successfully existing at other airports outside India are also being examined for ef fective implementation.” changed), a resident of Basaveshwarnagar and hailing from Shivamogga, got married to a woman from Davanagere three years ago. As they did not have any children, he visited a private hospital in Kengeri for infertility treatment on May 3. Doctors conducted all necessary tests, offered him advice and prescribed medication. When he did not see any results, he slipped into depression, which was compounded by his inability to share his trauma with others. One day while re, turning from the hospital, he noticed an Ayurvedic tent near KLE Law College that advertised itself as providing “quick solutions for sexual problems”. When he went inside, an attendant introduced Akhilesh to a man identified as Vijay Guruji, who assured him of immediate results and prescribed 1 gm of a herbal product called Devaraj Bhooti. The guruji claimed that it was procured from Haridwar and was available only at Vijayalakshmi Ayurvedic Shop in Yeshwanthpur. He instructed Akhilesh to pay only in cash, avoid online transactions and not to bring anyone along. P6 express read KL Rahul to lead India in SA ODI series New Delhi: Batsman KL Rahul was on Sunday named India’s captain for the upcoming threematch ODI series against South Africa, while veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returned to white-ball set-up after an eightmonth hiatus. Rahul was handed the reins after skipper Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a neck injury that he sustained during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. Sindh will always be a part of India: Rajnath New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday recalled a remark by former Deputy PM Lal Krishna Advani, saying the borders are not permanent and that “who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again.” Addressing the Sindhi Samaj Sammelan, Rajnath said, “Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India.” A video grab of students drawing water from a sump in Bilagerehundi village Students made to clean school toilets in Varuna village E x p r e s s N e w s S e r v i c e @Mysuru Teachers at a government higher primary school reportedly made students draw water from a sump and clean school toilets. The incident occurred a few days ago in Bilagerehundi village in the Varuna Assembly constituency represented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It came to light on November 20 when a villager, Siddaraju, visited the school to pick up his daughter from the anganwadi. “I saw children drawing water from the sump on the school premises. At first, I thought someone had fallen in. When I asked them, the students said their teachers had told them to fetch water and clean toilets. I recorded the incident on my cellphone and filed a complaint with the block education officer (BEO). As directed by the BEO, I later submitted a written complaint,” Siddaraju said. The incident was especially alarming as a student fell into a sump and died in Kolar recently . “I urge the DDPI to act against the headmaster. Schools must appoint proper staff for cleaning toilets,” he said. DDPI ST Javaregowda instructed the BEO to investigate and submit a report by Monday “Based on the find. ings, action will be taken against the teachers,” he said.