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I am a multi-religious person: Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi

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Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi (Photo/ANI) © Provided by Asian News International (ANI)

New Delhi [India], February 19 (ANI): Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently opened up about his multi-religious upbringing and illustrious military career.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, he shared his thoughts on being multi-religious, citing his exposure to diverse faiths during his time in the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

This regiment uniquely had a mosque, gurdwara, Durga Mata temple, and Mahakal temple all under one roof, fostering an environment of interfaith harmony.

When asked about his recent visit to Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Army Chief said, “I am multi-religious. I have been commissioned into the 18th Battalion, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, where you have a Masjid, Gurdwara, Durga Mata, and Mahakal, all under one roof.”

General Dwivedi recounted how his subedar major, a Maulvi, would perform Durga Mata Puja without any issues, demonstrating the regiment’s spirit of mutual respect. When asked about his own spiritual journey, Gen Dwivedi said after taking over, he first sought blessings from his unit, Bhakti Dhaam, where he received blessings from his Maulvi, Pandit, and Granthi.

“My subedar major, who may be a Maulvi, is able to do Durga Mata Puja, which is not an issue at all. Now, if you see, have I visited any Mashoor (famous) place, Golden Temple or Mahakaal or Vaishno Devi, in the initial stages? No. The first thing I went to was to my unit, Bhakti Dham. And once I got the blessings there from my Maulvi, my Pandit, my Granthi, thereafter I started going to all the places,” said the Army Chief.

General Dwivedi recalled how his father would tell him stories of freedom fighters and World War II heroes, inspiring him to join the army.

In a candid revelation, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi shared the story of how his childhood experiences shaped his decision to join the Indian Army.

One particular memory that stood out was when his uncle would bring home copies with photographs of soldiers. These images sparked a sense of curiosity and admiration in young Dwivedi. As he grew older, he began to explore various career options, considering medicine and engineering, just like his brothers.

However, the allure of the Army ultimately won him over. General Dwivedi recalled how he initially wanted to become an intelligence officer, but after gaining more exposure, he decided to join the Army first and then explore opportunities in intelligence.

“I remember my uncle when he used to ask him, So the copy which he used to bring used to have a soldier’s photo. Okay. My father used to always give me the story of freedom fighters or the story of World War II, where we won Vera, who escaped as a pilot. I remember. So all these stories I used to keep reading. And my one brother was a doctor. So I said, no, this is closed. My second brother was an engineer. I said, this is closed. Okay. So third was the army, which was there. I wanted to become an intelligence officer if I can say that. But when I went to school and saw everything, then I said, okay, let me join the Army first, thereafter look at intelligence,” the Army chief said.

He also shared his experience of flying the LCA with Air Marshal AP Singh during Aero India 2025, praising Singh’s leadership and straightforward qualities. He recalled that Air Marshal Singh was a standout individual even during their National Defence Academy (NDA) days, earning the respect and admiration of his peers.

In a nostalgic reflection, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reminisced about his school days, when he and his peers would admire all three services – the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He shared that it was simply fate that led him to join the Army.

“See, when we were in school, we used to look at all three services. We used to love all three, if I can say that. It just so happened that I came into the army. Let me tell you about AP first. As far as AP is concerned, from NDA days, he is a gold torch. And he is, everybody has a natural liking towards him. He is a man who can collect people together. He is a natural leader. And he takes ownership of a crowd. But he is a very straightforward man. So, I say in the lighter moment, he should have been in the infantry,” said the Army Chief.

The Army Chief highlighted Air Marshal Singh’s ability to bring people together, his natural leadership skills, and his willingness to take ownership of responsibilities. General Dwivedi jokingly added that Air Marshal Singh’s straightforward nature and team-bonding skills would have made him an excellent fit for the infantry.

“He’s so straightforward. And such a team-bonding man, he should have been infantry,” he added.

This lighthearted exchange offers a glimpse into the camaraderie and mutual respect shared between General Dwivedi and Air Marshal Singh, showcasing the strong bonds forged during their formative years at the NDA.

The Army Chief’s comments offer a glimpse into his personal life and military career, highlighting the importance of respecting all religions and the value of teamwork and leadership.

As the 30th Chief of the Army Staff, he brings a wealth of experience, having served in various roles, including Northern Army Commander and Director General of Infantry. (ANI)

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Kwara killings: Nnamdi Kanu jailed for warning against Jihadist incursion into Southern Nigeria – Igbo clerics

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An association of Igbo clergymen, Concerned Igbo Ministers’ Commission, has reacted to the recent killings in Kwara State, saying leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was jailed for warning against ‘Jihadist incursion’ into Nigeria’s southern territories.

Over a hundred deaths have been recorded in the attacks on communities in Kwara, believed to have been carried out by Islamist extremists.

In a statement on Friday, President of the Concerned Igbo Ministers’ Commission, Rev. Tony Uzor, expressed regrets that Kanu’s warning about the spread of extremism in the country, particularly into the South, was ignored.

Uzor expressed disappointment that rather than act on Kanu’s warning, Nigerian authorities threw him into jail.

The clergyman faulted the government for going after Kanu, who he said was only armed with microphone, while pampering insurgents and bandits responsible for killing thousands of Nigerians.

According to Uzor, for the Nigerian government, “words are treated as deadlier than weapons, and warnings are punished more harshly than mass murder”.

The Concerned Igbo Ministers’ Commission added that Kanu was arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned because his broadcasts unsettled the status quo that favours the caliphate.

Faulting Kanu’s conviction, the cleric added, “A man who spoke — who warned, provoked, irritated, unsettled — was caged as though he had spilled blood. Meanwhile, blood was actually spilled elsewhere, in industrial quantities, and the nation barely blinked.

“Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the Federal High Court in Abuja, sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment in November 2025 for terrorism charges — inciting violence through his broadcasts and calls for Biafran independence. Kanu, the very man who had long warned of this exact impending doom in Yorubaland: the spread of religious extremism, the unchecked jihadist incursions into Southern territories, the failure to protect communities from the reach of these terrorists. He was convicted not for wielding weapons, but for wielding words that unsettled the status quo.

“Justice Omotosho handed down concurrent life terms, ensuring Kanu rots in isolation at Sokoto Correctional Centre of all places, the seat of the caliphate itself. All while the real killers in Kwara — and countless other places — evade the same zealous pursuit.

“It is apparently safer to wield an AK-47 assault rifle than a microphone — provided the AK-47 aligns with the unspoken hierarchies of power.”

The Igbo clergymen further expressed concern that hundreds can be killed in rural Nigeria by armed groups whose methods and ideology are well known, without any serious response from the government.

The clerics said the Nigerian government has not displayed the same zeal it deployed in going after Kanu and IPOB in efforts to stop killings by Jihadists and Islamic extremists.

The statement added, “The dead are absorbed into statistics and forgotten.
Take Kwara State, where just this week, Islamic terrorists slaughtered at least 170 people in the villages of Woro and Nuku just as Nnamdi Kanu predicted many years back. Gunmen stormed in, executing residents at close range — many bound and shot, others burned alive — for refusing to submit to extremist Sharia rule. Homes razed, shops looted, families shattered. The attackers, linked to genuine terrorist groups from Northern Nigeria and not proscribed, left a trail of mass graves and missing loved ones.

“President Tinubu deployed troops after the fact, blaming jihadists, but where was the same preemptive fury that accompanied Monday sit-at-home civil disobedience?

“But let one man (Nnamdi Kanu) speak inconvenient truths, invoke history, or challenge the emotional comfort of the state, and the system awakens with ferocity tagging him terrorist when he has not killed anyone. Those who kill are managed. Those who speak are crushed.”

The Concerned Igbo Ministers’ Commission accused the Nigerian government of jailing the country’s “prophets” while protecting killers.

According to the group, the government has shown that it is determined to ensure that Nigeria remains one at all cost.

“The stability of the murderous state matters more than the sanctity of life. Preventing uncomfortable ideas is more urgent than preventing funerals.
Silence in the face of killings is preferable to noise in the face of injustice.

“Because a society confident in its moral foundations does not jail prophets and tolerate killers. It does not obsess over speech while normalizing graves,” the statement added.

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Gospel Legend Ron Kenoly Is Dead

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Legendary gospel singer Ron Kenoly has passed away.

His death was confirmed on Monday, February 3, 2026, with tributes pouring in from gospel artistes across the world. He was 81 years old.

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“Based On Medical Facts, I Don’t Believe This Is A Miracle” – Medical Doctor Reacts To Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s Miracle Video (Watch)

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A Nigerian medical doctor, Dr Sina, has publicly reacted to a viral miracle video involving Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, stating that based on medical facts, he does not believe the incident qualifies as a miracle.

A video of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome healing some people who were reportedly unable to walk had initially made the rounds, stirring different reactions.

In a detailed breakdown shared online, the doctor explained that he carefully reviewed the video, slowing it down and examining the movements of the individuals described as crippled.

According to him, several physical and neurological signs expected in paralyzed or long-term crippled individuals were absent.

Dr Sina noted that medically, a non-functional or paralyzed leg often presents with abnormal angles, rotations, or muscle wasting due to disuse. However, he claimed these features were not evident in the video.

He also pointed out instances where some individuals appeared to move their legs freely, including crossing them, which he said would be impossible for someone who is paralyzed.

He further argued that even in a scenario where healing occurred instantly, the brain would still need time to relearn movement, balance, and coordination. In his view, the immediate and spontaneous jumping seen in the video did not align with how neurological recovery typically works.

While emphasizing that he believes in miracles as a Christian, Dr Sina maintained that, from a medical standpoint, the video did not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that a genuine miracle had taken place.

He encouraged viewers to slow down the footage themselves and consult medical professionals for further evaluation.

His words …

“I took a look at this Pastor Chris’ video and as a medic I slowed it down and examined critically.
I zoomed into the legs of the so called ” crippled” and here is what I’d say

1 If truly one is crippled , As Medics we know that the particular leg that’s crippled or non functional will assume an angle or rotation , None of the “crippled” had that angle which means most of them had fully functioning leg muscles.

2 If you look well there is a particular woman there that crossed her legs. If you are crippled aka paralyzed you can’t summon muscle power to bring your legs to make that angle

3 I tried to zoom even though I wasnt able to see clearly , usually when one has been crippled for a while there is tendency for the muscle to be asymmetric due to disuse, (except they’ve been having physio) took a look at all of them well, even though difficult i didn’t see physical signs of being crippled.

4 Even if we assume they were crippled for a while. If they miraculously got new nerves and muscles cells.
Jumping off the bed, the brain and other organs will still have to remaster movement. Balance and a little stagger.
The jump was spontaneous and not looking like a need for remastering.

Were they really crippled from the beginning ?

5 Slow the video and zoom zoom and check the occasional movement of the lower limb muscles of some of them ( show your doctor friends) that shows signs of intact nerve and muscle control

So are they really crippled?
PS- crippled will mean paralyzed or Paraplegic ( medical word)

Do miracles exist? As a Christian yes.
But is this a miracle? Looking at medical facts evidenced i don’t believe it is a miracle denovo.

You can fact check yourself”

Check out his post …

 

Watch tthe video below:

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