Two Agniveers were killed when a shell from an Indian field gun exploded during firing practice at the Artillery Centre in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, police said on Friday.

According to an official, the incident occurred at the Artillery Centre in the Nashik Road area on Thursday afternoon.

The official informed that Agniveers Gohil Vishwaraj Singh, 20, and Saifat Shit, 21, were killed in the blast.

A team of Agniveers was firing an Indian field gun when one of the shells exploded. The duo sustained injuries and were taken to MH Hospital, Deolali, where they were pronounced dead, the official said.

Based on a complaint by Havildar Ajit Kumar, a case of accidental death has been registered with the Deolali Camp police, and further investigations are on, the official said as reported by PTI.

Announced on June 14, 2022, the Agnipath scheme has been criticised widely by the leaders from the Opposition, claiming that the scheme lacks gratuity, retirement benefits, job security and martyred status and others.

There are concerns about the four-year service period and what will happen to the 75 percent of Agniveers who leave the scheme after that time. There were widespread protests against this scheme in several states, including Bihar, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Agnipath scheme aims to enlist young people aged between 17.5 and 21 years into the armed forces for a period of four years, which includes training. Under this scheme, Agniveers are recruited into the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy for four years of service. After this period, 25 percent of Agniveers are permanently recruited into the Indian Army.

Agniveers receive a starting package of about Rs 4.76 lakhs in the first year, which increases to around Rs 6.92 lakhs by the fourth year. Each Agniveer is required to contribute 30 percent of their monthly salary to a service fund, with an equal contribution made by the government.

BJP president JP Nadda asserted on Friday that after Haryana, the BJP would also sweep the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Speaking to reporters, Nadda said the BJP had achieved a lot in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir and credit for this goes to the people and the almighty.

Nadda paid obeisance at the Shri Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur today and said the people were happy with the performance of the BJP government at the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Today I got the privilege of taking the blessings of Maa Naina Devi on the ninth day of Sharadiya Navratri. With the blessings of Mother Goddess, all of us will work with our full energy to fulfill Prime Minister Modi’s dream of a developed India,” he said.

After the party’s victory in the Haryana elections, the Union Health Minister was in Himachal Pradesh to offer prayers.

“The party would also sweep upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand,” Nadda said.

Bucking anti-incumbency, the ruling BJP pulled off a hat-trick of wins in Haryana to retain power and halt Congress’ comeback attempt in the assembly elections.

In the recent Assembly elections, BJP won Haryana by 48 seats, while Congress had 37 seats, 2 for INLD and 3 seats went to independent candidates.

On winning the Haryana Assembly election, PM Modi extended his gratitude to the people of Haryana for giving a clear majority to the BJP once again. “This is the victory of the politics of development and good governance. I assure the people here that we will leave no stone unturned to fulfil their aspirations,” he had said.

PM Modi asserted that the party’s victory in the state was an outcome of the hard work of party workers.

The BJP also made notable gains in Jammu and Kashmir by winning 29 of the 90 seats. The National Conference-Congress combine is set to form government in the Union territory.

Noel Tata on Friday was unanimously appointed as the Chairman of Tata Trusts on October 11. He succeeded Ratan Tata, who died on October 9 at the age of 86. Reportedly, the appointment was made during a meeting held in Mumbai and was agreed upon by the board of Tata Trusts.

The Tata Trusts, which holds a controlling 66% stake in Tata Sons, is the holding company of the sprawling Tata Group, and plays a crucial role in the group’s governance. Ratan Tata, who led Tata Trusts and the Tata Group for many years, did not have children and had not named a successor for his position at the Trusts. Hence, the board convened to decide on the next leader.

The move to appoint Noel Tata came just a day after the last rites of Ratan Tata, with the board meeting focusing on both paying homage to Ratan Tata and electing the new chairman. The board’s decision was reportedly in line with Ratan Tata’s philosophy of moving on and ensuring continuity in leadership without delays.

Noel Tata, who is 67-year-old, has been a trustee in the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which together own the majority stake in Tata Sons. Noel Tata’s long-standing association with the Tata Group and his role within these trusts made him the frontrunner for the chairmanship after Ratan Tata’s death.

Furthermore, the Parsi community, which has traditionally been closely tied to the Tata Group, was in favour of appointing someone with the Tata surname, and Noel Tata was the unanimous choice. Notably, Noel Tata’s appointment is also in line with changes made in 2022, when the Tata Sons board amended its Articles of Association to ensure that the same person could no longer hold the roles of Chairman of both Tata Trusts and Tata Sons, a position Ratan Tata had previously held.

For over 40 years, Noel Tata has been a key figure within the Tata Group. Currently, he is on the boards of multiple Tata Group companies, including Tata International Limited, Voltas and Tata Investment Corporation. Noel Tata also serves as the Vice Chairman of Tata Steel and Titan Company Limited.

Reportedly, Noel Tata graduated from Sussex University in the UK and later completed the International Executive Programme (IEP) from INSEAD, a leading global business school. 

Tata Trusts have two vice-chairmen, Venu Srinivasan of TVS and former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh. They have been in their roles since 2018.