The Indian Air Force is one of the most formidable air forces in the world. Ever since its inception in 1933, the Indian Air Force has proved its mettle in various wartime and peacetime missions. With special focus on developing indigenous capabilities, India is further trying to turn the IAF into a modern, agile and powerful force in the world.

The Tejas is the second supersonic Light Combat Aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

India is building the 5th generation Sukhoi PAK FA in collaboration with Russia.

The IAF got its first woman Air Marshal in the form of Padmavathy Bandopadhyay.

She was the Director General Medical Services (Air) at the Air Headquarters.

 Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is the only IAF officer to have been honoured with the Param Vir Chakra.

He was awarded posthumously for his act of conspicuous gallantry in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

The Air Force has over 60 air bases spread all over India.

These are grouped into 7 commands.

With 16 air bases, the Western Air Command is the largest Air Command.

The smallest is the Central Air Command with 7 bases.

 Yes, the IAF has a base in a foreign country!

IAF has a base in Farkhor, Tajikistan. Its only base outside India.

 At 22,000 ft (or 6,706 m), Siachen Glacier AFS is the highest Air Force Station of the IAF.

 The indigenously built HAL Light Combat Helicopter will be in service by December 2015.

It is faster and more agile than most other contemporary Combat Helicopters.

The Indian Air Force actually never directly engaged the Pakistani Air Force in 1947 war.

But was instrumental in transport of troops of Indian Army and air support.

The Indian Navy was handed one of its most potent warships today, the INS Kochi. The guided missile destroyer was commissioned by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Here are 10 things you need to know about the Navy's latest surface ship.

INS Kochi is the largest India-made warship.

The warship is designed by the Navy's in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design, and it is constructed by Mazagon Dock Ship builders Ltd in Mumbai.

It has displacement of 7,500 tons and it is 164 metres in length and 17 metres at the beam.

The ship is propelled by four gas turbines and designed to achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.

INS Kochi is packed with an array of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, with a significant indigenous component.

The 7,500-tonne INS Kochi, the second of the three Kolkata-class destroyers being built at Mazagaon Docks (MDL) at Mumbai for over Rs 4,000 crore apiece, is the 10th destroyer in India's combat fleet.

 Often called ‘The Switzerland of the East’ due to its scenic beauty, Nagaland is one of the most scenic hill stations in the North-East. Bordered by Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Burma, this quaint state, with its diverse history and culture has retained its untouched beauty and grandeur.

Adorned by the magical beauty of rolling hills and mountains, lush vegetations and colourful cultures, this 16th state of India boasts of its pleasant climate, natural beauty and much more. Let’s have a look on the different things to do in Nagaland and plan a trip to the land of festivals.

Way To 'KOHIMA'....

Witness the Colourful Naga Cultures at the Hornbill Festival:

Also known as the ‘Festival of Festivals’, Hornbill Festival is the mostly enjoyed cultural meet in Nagaland. A riot of culture, music, folk dance and delicious cuisines, it is celebrated with full vigour and passion by all the Naga tribes. This year’s Hornbill celebration has already started on 1st December and will continue till the 10th of December.

Trek to the Dzoukou Valley:

Perched at a height of 2,462m above the sea level, this magical valley in Nagaland is one of the most quintessential destinations in the state. While in Nagaland, trek to this pictorial valley, adore its pristine beauty and also witness some of the rare and exotic species of lilies.

Witness the Aoling Festival:

One of the reasons why Nagaland is fondly called the ‘Land of Festivals’, Aoling Festival is the prime festival of the Konyak tribe. Celebrated to mark the advent of the New Year, the locales dress up in their traditional headgears, feather and other traditional attires.

Explore History with the Kachari Ruins:

Have a glimpse of Nagalands’s bygone history while visiting the ancient Kachari Ruins in Dimapur. A reminiscent of the 10th century Kachari Civilization, this heritage site tells the glorious tales of the state and its diverse history.

Visit the Kohima Museum:

Step back into the indigenous traditions and cultures of the Nagamse with a visit to the Kohima Museum. Showcasing artefacts and belongings to the ancient Naga tribes, visiting this museum is in fact one of the best things to do in Nagaland.

Live the Naga Way in Tuphema Village:

Standing on a magnificent hilltop, this tourist village is the epitome of traditional Naga life. Located around 41km from Kohima, the village has dedicated huts for the tourists with all the luxury and basic comforts of life.

Visit the War cemetery:

On your visit to Nagaland, pay your homage to the World War II martyrs. Fought between the British and Japanese soldiers, the cemetery serves as the resting ground for both the British and Japanese soldiers.

Wildlife Spotting in Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary:

On a visit to this wildlife sanctuary, you can spot some of the rare, indigenous and exotic species of Nagaland. Tiger, Golden Langur, Hornbill, Black Stork, Monitor Lizard, Sloth Bear and Python are amongst the most commonly found species in this park.