Gadgets
MiG-21 Farewell: From 1965 War to Balakot, India’s Iconic Fighter Jet Retires After Six Decades of Service
Chandigarh, September 26, 2025
After nearly six decades of glorious service, the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter jet bid farewell to the skies today in a historic retirement ceremony in Chandigarh. The farewell marks the end of an era for the world’s longest-serving fighter jet, which not only defended India during critical wars but also symbolized the country’s growing air power for generations.
The IAF hosted a grand ceremony that included aerial displays, formation flights, and a symbolic water cannon salute as the last MiG-21s touched down for the final time.
Reliving Its Glorious Past in Wars
- 1965 & 1971 Indo-Pak Wars: The MiG-21 first proved its mettle in the 1965 war and went on to dominate the skies during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. One of its most iconic strikes was the bombing of the Dhaka Governor’s House, a mission that crushed the morale of East Pakistan’s leadership.
- Kargil Conflict (1999): MiG-21s carried out critical ground-attack missions in the high-altitude battles of Kargil.
- Balakot Air Strike (2019): A MiG-21 Bison, flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, famously shot down a Pakistani F-16, showcasing that even an ageing jet could hold its own against modern adversaries.

Final Flight and Farewell Ceremony
The farewell was both emotional and symbolic:
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took the cockpit to lead the final sortie.
- Squadron Leader Priya Sharma led the historic last operational flight.
- Special formations like the Victory Formation by the IAF’s 23rd Squadron “Panthers” and a Cloud Formation of MiG-21s with Tejas jets highlighted the transition from an old warrior to India’s indigenous future fighter.
- The event concluded with six MiG-21s landing together, shutting down engines for the last time, and receiving a traditional water cannon salute.
Dignitaries including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, chiefs of all three armed services, and former IAF chiefs witnessed the send-off.
The Legacy of the MiG-21 in India
- Induction: Entered IAF service in 1963.
- Numbers: India acquired 874 MiG-21s, making it the backbone of the IAF for decades.
- Upgrades: The final variant, the MiG-21 Bison, was inducted in 2013 with modern avionics and weapons.
- Role: Served as a multirole fighter, excelling in air defense, ground attack, and interception roles.
The MiG-21 not only served as India’s frontline fighter for decades but also trained generations of IAF pilots, many of whom earned their wings on this aircraft.

The Controversial Side: “Flying Coffin” & “Widow Maker”
Despite its success, the MiG-21 was plagued by safety concerns:
- Accidents: Over 400 crashes have been recorded since induction.
- Casualties: Many young IAF pilots lost their lives, giving the jet grim nicknames like “Flying Coffin” and “Widow Maker”.
- Reasons: Outdated design, ageing airframes, engine failures, and maintenance challenges contributed to its poor safety record.
This long-standing criticism was a major factor behind the decision to finally phase it out.
Transition to the Future
The MiG-21 will now pass the baton to more modern fighters like the HAL Tejas, Rafale, and the upcoming AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). The farewell ceremony’s formation flight with MiG-21s and Tejas symbolized this generational shift in India’s aerial defense.

Conclusion
The retirement of the MiG-21 marks the end of an era for Indian aviation. While its service record carries both glory and controversy, there is no doubt that the MiG-21 will remain etched in India’s military history as an icon of air power, courage, and resilience.
As India looks ahead to advanced fighter jets and indigenous designs, the MiG-21’s six-decade-long legacy will continue to inspire generations of pilots and defense enthusiasts alike.
Gadgets
📰 Refined Article: Dhanteras Sale 2025 – Xiaomi, Samsung & More Slash 43-inch Smart TV Prices by Half on Amazon
As the festive season peaks, Amazon’s Diwali and Dhanteras sale has brought some of the biggest discounts of the year on electronics — and this time, 43-inch 4K Smart TVs are at the center of attention. Major brands including Xiaomi, Samsung, Toshiba, TCL, and Philips are offering massive price cuts, bringing premium entertainment within reach of most Indian households.
If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your home entertainment setup, this Dhanteras might be the perfect opportunity — with prices starting under ₹17,000 for 4K UHD Smart TVs.
💥 Top 43-Inch Smart TV Deals on Amazon
1. Toshiba 43-inch 4K UHD Smart TV
- Discounted Price: ₹19,999 (MRP ₹39,999)
- Additional Bank Offer: Up to ₹3,000 off → effective price ₹16,999
- Features:
- Google TV OS
- Dolby Digital, HDR10, and HLG support
- Built-in voice assistant
- Why Buy: One of the most affordable 4K UHD TVs in its range with impressive display brightness and colour depth.

2. Xiaomi TV 43-inch FX Pro 4K Smart TV
- Sale Price: ₹23,999 (47% off)
- Additional Offers: ₹3,000 bank discount + ₹1,500 coupon
- Effective Price: Around ₹20,999
- Highlights:
- 4K Ultra HD with vivid picture engine
- Dolby Audio and DTS:X sound
- PatchWall+ and Google TV integration
- Why Buy: Xiaomi’s latest model balances affordability with premium performance, perfect for OTT lovers.
3. Samsung 43-inch Vision AI 4K UHD Smart TV
- Listed Price: ₹33,490 (39% off, down from ₹54,990)
- Extra Bank Offer: ₹3,000 instant discount
- Key Features:
- Vision AI processor for enhanced upscaling
- Smart Hub and built-in Alexa
- Sleek, bezel-less design
- Why Buy: Great for brand-conscious buyers seeking top-tier display quality with AI optimization.

4. Philips 43-inch QLED Smart TV
- Offer Price: ₹21,499 (down from ₹29,999)
- Additional Discount: ₹3,000 on select cards
- Specs:
- QLED panel with Dolby Vision
- HDR10+ support
- Android TV platform
- Why Buy: Delivers premium colour accuracy and contrast at a mid-range price.
🎯 Festive Season Buying Tip
During Dhanteras and Diwali, Amazon and Flipkart also offer no-cost EMI, exchange bonuses, and card-specific cashback offers from leading banks such as HDFC, ICICI, and SBI. Always compare final checkout prices before purchasing to maximise total savings.
Industry analysts say that the 43-inch category remains India’s most sought-after TV size due to its balance between screen size, room fit, and affordability — making this Dhanteras sale one of the best times to upgrade.
🪔 Final Takeaway
With deep discounts, cashback offers, and festive benefits, these Dhanteras Smart TV deals make 4K entertainment more accessible than ever. Whether you prefer Samsung’s AI-led visuals or Xiaomi’s feature-packed affordability, the current price drops are unlikely to return until next year’s sale season.
Gadgets
Google Pixel 9 Gets Massive Discount, Available at ₹34,999 During Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale
Flipkart’s Big Billion Days Sale 2025, starting September 23, is all set to bring jaw-dropping deals for smartphone buyers. Among the biggest highlights is the Google Pixel 9, which will be available for as low as ₹34,999—less than half of its original launch price of ₹79,999.
🔥 Google Pixel 9 Discount Details
- Original Price (Launch 2024): ₹79,999
- Google Store Price (Current): ₹64,999
- Flipkart Sale Price (Listed): ₹37,999 (12GB RAM + 256GB Storage)
- Bank Offers: Extra ₹2,000 off with ICICI and Axis Bank cards
- Exchange Bonus: ₹1,000 additional discount
- Effective Price: ₹34,999
👉 This makes it one of the lowest-ever prices for a Google flagship phone in India.

📊 Pixel 9 vs. Previous Sale Trend
In last year’s sale, the Pixel 8 was offered at ₹35,999, though its price later went up to over ₹40,000. With the Pixel 9, Flipkart is following a similar aggressive pricing strategy, combining direct discounts + bank offers + exchange bonus.
📱 Google Pixel 9 Key Specifications
- Display: 6.3-inch Actua OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1800 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
- Processor: Google Tensor G4 chipset.
- RAM & Storage: 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, 256GB storage.
- Cameras:
- Rear: 50MP Octa PD wide + 48MP ultra-wide.
- Front: 10.5MP selfie camera.
- Battery: 4,700mAh with 45W fast charging + wireless charging support.
- Software: Android 15, enhanced with Google Gemini AI features.
- Security: Titan M2 security chip.
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC.

🎯 Why This Deal Matters
The Pixel 9 combines Google’s clean Android experience, flagship-level cameras, and Gemini AI enhancements—making it a strong competitor to premium phones from Samsung and Apple. At ₹34,999, it directly challenges mid-range smartphones, giving buyers flagship performance at a mid-tier price.

📌 Where to Buy
- Available exclusively on Flipkart during the Big Billion Days Sale 2025 (September 23 onwards).
- Buyers are advised to add to wishlist in advance, as stocks may sell out quickly.
Gadgets
Realme Teases 15,000mAh Battery Concept Phone with 320W Charging: A Game-Changer for Smartphone Industry
Smartphone brand Realme has taken the industry by storm with a teaser that could redefine the future of mobile technology. The Chinese company has revealed a concept smartphone featuring a massive 15,000mAh battery, dwarfing current market standards and even surpassing its previous 10,000mAh battery concept phone.
While this device is not yet a commercial product, Realme has hinted at a possible global showcase on August 27, fueling excitement among tech enthusiasts. If brought to reality, this could mark a revolutionary moment in smartphone evolution, especially for users frustrated with frequent charging cycles.

A Phone That Lasts for Days
Realme shared the teaser image on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, showcasing the bold “15,000mAh” inscription across the phone’s back panel. The teaser was accompanied by the tagline:
“This is not battery life. This is battery independence.”
According to early reports, the phone could deliver:
- Up to 50 hours of video playback
- 30+ hours of continuous gaming
- 25 full-length movies on one charge
- Nearly 5 days of regular usage
- Over 3 months of standby time
This endurance level is unprecedented in modern smartphones, where even flagship devices struggle to last beyond two days on intensive use.

Revolutionary 320W Supersonic Charging
The Realme concept phone is also expected to debut the brand’s 320W Supersonic Charging technology, which is capable of charging the battery to 50% in just 2 minutes. If these claims hold true, it would be one of the fastest charging technologies in the world, completely transforming the way consumers use and charge their devices.
Leaked concept designs also suggest:
- Slim 8.5mm profile despite the massive battery.
- Semi-transparent back panel showcasing futuristic aesthetics.
- Silicon-carbon battery composition, which is lighter than traditional lithium-ion batteries, ensuring that the phone does not feel excessively heavy.

Industry Context: Battery Wars Heat Up
The teaser comes at a time when multiple smartphone brands are experimenting with larger batteries and faster charging. OnePlus is rumored to be developing an 8,000mAh battery phone, while other competitors are steadily increasing their devices’ charging speeds. However, Realme’s bold leap to 15,000mAh with 320W charging positions it as a frontrunner in the race to deliver true battery independence.
Meanwhile, Realme’s P4 series recently launched in India with 7,000mAh batteries and 80W charging, already impressing power users. But the 15,000mAh concept phone signals an even bigger ambition for the company – to eliminate battery anxiety altogether.

What It Means for Users
If brought to the commercial market, this Realme concept phone could transform daily smartphone usage by:
- Making power banks obsolete for most users.
- Reducing reliance on frequent charging, especially during travel and emergencies.
- Enabling continuous entertainment and productivity without interruptions.
- Setting new standards for gaming phones and heavy-duty users.
While Realme has not yet confirmed whether this device will go into mass production, the teaser has already created a buzz and raised expectations for the future of smartphones.
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