Month: December 2024

Following the successful launch of the SpaDeX mission, Union Minister of state Jitendra Singh stated that India has become the fourth country to join the select league of nations to achieve space docking through its own indigenously developed “Bharatiya Docking System.”

Taking to X, Singh said, “India has become the fourth country to join the select league of nations to achieve space docking, through its own indigenously developed ‘Bharatiya Docking System.'”

“Privileged to be associated with the Department of Space at a time when Team #ISRO mesmerizes the world with global wonders, one after the other.” the Minister added.

Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for laying the road to “Viksit Bharat,” Singh said, “A humble tribute to PM @narendramodi’s mantra of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ heading towards ‘Viksit Bharat,’ which will pave the way for a journey beyond the skies for ‘Gaganyaan’ and ‘Bharatiya Antriksha Station.'”

Meanwhile, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of the NVS-02 satellite in January 2025, aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), said ISRO Chairman S. Somanath. Speaking about the upcoming mission, Somanath added that this mission is just one of many planned for the upcoming year.

“In 2025, we have many missions. To start with, we have the mission of GSLV launching the NVS-02 in the month of January,” Somanath said.

Earlier, on May 29, 2023, the GSLV-F12 rocket successfully launched the NVS-01 satellite, weighing 2,232 kg, into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). According to an ISRO statement, the NVS-01 satellite featured an indigenous atomic clock and was designed to enhance the capabilities of NavIC, including L1 band signals for broader service coverage. The NVS-02 mission is likely to continue this progress, further strengthening the NavIC system with advanced features.

The announcement was made by Somanath after the successful launch of PSLV-C60, which carried the SpaDeX and other payloads. Following the launch, Somanath highlighted the importance of docking for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, confirming that the final docking is expected to occur around January 7, 2025.

“Chandrayaan-4 has multiple modules, five in total, which will be launched at different times and integrated into two separate modules. These modules need to reach orbit and then dock both in Earth orbit and Moon orbit. Docking is essential for Chandrayaan-4. This mission aims to go to the Moon, land there, return to Earth, and complete the journey successfully,” Somanath explained.

He further added, “This is one of the proving grounds for Chandrayaan-4. Docking will begin tomorrow, and many processes will take place, but the final docking will likely happen by January 7.”

Somanath also celebrated ISRO’s 99th launch, saying, “For us, this is the 99th launch of any launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. It’s a very significant milestone. We’re preparing for the 100th launch at the start of next year. In this 99th launch, PSLV-C60 successfully placed two SpaDeX satellites, weighing 220 kilograms, into a circular orbit of 475 kilometers.”

He further explained that SpaDeX would undergo various operations starting tomorrow, working towards its docking condition, with the final docking expected by January 7, 2025. “This is not the first SpaDeX; there will be more varieties, including demonstrations of bigger and more complex versions of docking systems in the coming days,” he added.

The SpaDeX mission, ISRO’s year-end project, is historic as it aims to achieve the rare feat of docking or merging two satellites in space. The project is a cost-effective technology demonstration mission for in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV.

The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology required for the rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target) in low-Earth circular orbit. Docking technology is crucial for long-term missions like Chandrayaan-4, the planned Indian space station, and the eventual manned Gaganyaan mission. (ANI)

Paralympic javelin throw gold medallist Navdeep Singh has praised the Pro Kabaddi League’s transformative impact on the sport, highlighting how the professional league has revolutionized traditional kabaddi.

“Since PKL’s entry, the standard of the game has risen significantly. Sports science has played an equally important role, and I believe PKL contributes about 19% to the sport’s development,” he added, emphasising the league’s role in modernising kabaddi,” Singh said in a press conference before witnessing Haryana Steelers lift the coveted trophy after beating the Patna Pirates in the all-important PKL 11 Final as quoted by a press release.

Singh, who played as a defender during his school days, spoke about the intense physical demands of the sport. “In kabaddi, there’s a higher risk of injury because when one raider goes in, three or four players can apply force at once,” he explained, underlining the importance of proper fitness and conditioning in the modern game.

The Paralympic champion also highlighted kabaddi’s deep roots in Haryana, noting that “it would be rare to find an athlete who hasn’t played kabaddi at least once in their life” in the state. This connection to Haryana’s sporting culture remains strong, with Singh admitting that while he appreciates all teams, he maintains extra support for Haryana.

“The game has reached such a significant level now,” Singh remarked, reflecting on kabaddi’s growth since the start of the PKL. He particularly emphasized how the league has helped transform what was once primarily a rural sport into a professional spectacle. (ANI)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday extended his heartfelt greetings on Christmas and the New Year 2025 to heads of several foreign states and governments.

Among them were — President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev; President of Armenia, Vaagn Khachaturyan; Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan; President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko; President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; President of Kyrgyz, Sadyr Japarov; President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon; President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov; Speaker of Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov; President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev; President of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloyev; President of Bolivia, Luiz Alberto Arce; President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva; Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban; President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro; General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam; President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, according to President of Russia statement.

Further, President Droupadi Murmu; Prime Minister Narendra Modi; President of China, Xi Jinping; Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un; President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez; President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith; President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing; President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega; Pope Francis; President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic; President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan; Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed; President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa also received the greetings.

Messages of greetings were also sent to some former heads of state and government including, Former President of Cuba, Raul Castro; Former President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan; Former President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev; Former President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan; Former Chancellor of Germany, Gerhard Schroder. (ANI)

Bihar Education Minister Sunil Kumar on Monday said that the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) will probe the complaints raised by the aspirants over the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE), 2024.

Speaking to media persons, Kumar said, “They can say what they want; it is their right, but the Commission will probe this and will take an appropriate decision…”

The protesting students in Patna are demanding the cancellation of the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on December 13.

On Sunday, Bihar police lathi-charged and used water cannons to disperse the protesting BPSC aspirants in Gandhi Maidan.

Following the incident, Bihar Police registered an FIR against 600-700 individuals, including Jan Suraaj Chief Prashant Kishore, for unauthorised gatherings, instigating people, and creating law and order issues in Gandhi Maidan.

In an official statement, the Patna Administration said, “Jan Suraaj Party was denied permission to organise Chhatra Sansad in front of the Gandhi statue. However, a crowd gathered at the Gandhi statue and created a law and order problem. A scuffle broke out between the crowd and the police. The crowd broke the loudspeakers installed by the administration. Despite repeated requests, these people violated the guidelines of the administration and disrupted public order. Therefore, the administration removed them by using water cannons and force.”

“An FIR has been registered in Gandhi Maidan police station against 600-700 people, including Jan Suraaj Chief Prashant Kishore, on charges of unauthorised gathering of a crowd, instigating people, and creating law and order problems,” Patna Administration added. (ANI)

Coming down heavily on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his Rohingya settlement claims, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday said that by supporting Rohingyas again and again, Kejriwal is tampering with India’s security.

In a video shared by Puri’s office, the Union Minister attacked Kejriwal saying, that repeating lies doesn’t make them true; and the truth is that till now no Rohingya has been ever provided with any flat anywhere.

“Koi aisa saga nahi jisko Kejriwal ne thaga nahi..Just because a lie is spread again and again, it won’t become truth… the truth is that till now no Rohingya has been ever provided with any flat anywhere. Those who are doing this fake sloganeering also know this,” he said.

Puri accused AAP’s MLA of providing free ration, water and electricity to the Rohingyas saying that everyone knows whose voters Rohingyas are.

“Arvind Kejriwal’s MLA made Rohingyas stay in Delhi and gave them free ration, water and electricity, also provided Rs 10,000 and got their voter ID card. The whole country knows, whose voters Rohingyas are. By supporting Rohingyas again and again, Kejriwal is tampering with India’s security. This is a very low level of politics,” he said.

Puri’s remarks came after AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal earlier today claimed that Hardeep Singh Puri and Amit Shah have all the data on how and where they have settled Rohingyas.

Kejriwal said “I request them to arrest Hardeep Singh Puri. He has all the data on where he settled Rohingyas and how. He tweeted and gave the information. Hardeep Singh Puri and Amit Shah have all the data on how and where they have settled Rohingyas.”

On Sunday, Puri dismissed the Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations of operating “Operation Lotus” in Delhi for voter manipulation and challenged the notion that Rohingyas, whom AAP has accused the party of settling in Delhi for votes, would ever support the BJP.

In a sharp rebuttal to AAP’s accusations of voter manipulation, Hardeep Puri questioned the credibility of the claims.

“Do you think that the Rohingyas, in any condition, will vote for the BJP? There is no chance that they will vote for us,” Hardeep Puri asserted, turning the tables on the accusations. (ANI)

Continuing his weekly Sunday Darshan tradition, megastar Amitabh Bachchan stepped outside his residence, Jalsa, to meet with fans who waited for hours to catch his glimpse of the legendary actor.

Big B greeted his fans with a big smile on his face. He even distributed t-shirts to them.

Check out the visuals from his meet-and-greet session with fans

Every Sunday, hundreds of fans gather outside Amitabh Bachchan’s residence to get a glimpse of the megastar, and from the past over 40 years, the ‘Sholay’ star has been making sure to meet them.

Earlier, in his blog, he shared that he always takes off his shoes before meeting his fans, describing it as a “devotion” for him to interact with his well-wishers.

He wrote, “I do observe though that the numbers are in lesser magnitude and the enthusiasm has lessened and the screams of joy now transferred to the mobile camera .. and that is more evident now an indication that time has moved on and nothing lasts forever.”

On the work front, Amitabh Bachchan’s film ‘Vettaiyan’, with Rajinikanth, was released in theatres recently.

In the film, Big B also shared screen space with Fahadh Faasil and Rana Daggubati.In the coming months, he will also be seen alongside Deepika Padukone in the Hindi remake of ‘The Intern.’ In June this year, he and Deepika were seen in the futuristic film ‘Kalki 2898 AD.’

Directed by Nag Ashwin, the post-apocalyptic film was inspired by Hindu scriptures and was set in 2898 AD. Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Disha Patani were also part of the film. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched a scathing attack against Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi saying that he has flown abroad to celebrate when the entire nation is mourning Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s demise. He further stated that the Congress party has “abused and insulted” Dr Singh.

“While the country is mourning Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s demise, Rahul Gandhi has flown abroad to bring in the New Year even as the nation observes seven days of mourning. Congress doesn’t care for Dr Manmohan Singh. They abused and insulted him during his lifetime They continue to do so now. Yesterday nobody went to collect his ashes. Congress even denied Bharat Ratna to Dr Manmohan Singh as per the latest disclosures. This is their true face,” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X.

Poonawalla further lashed out saying that for Rahul Gandhi ‘paryatan’ is nothing new.

“Rahul Gandhi has changed the meaning of LoP from Leader of Opposition to Leader of ‘paryatan’ and Leader of the party. At a time when the country is in grief over the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi has left for ‘paryatan’ and party, as per media reports…Rahul Gandhi and ‘paryatan’ is nothing new. At a time when the 26/11 attack happened in Mumbai, he was partying all night. He is not concerned about the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh…” said the BJP leader while speaking to media.

Another BJP leader, Amit Malviya stated that Rahul Gandhi has exploited Dr Singh’s death for his expedient politics and that Gandhis and the Congress party carry hate against Sikhs.

“While the country is mourning Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s demise, Rahul Gandhi has flown to Vietnam to ring in the New Year. Rahul Gandhi politicised and exploited Dr Singh’s death for his expedient politics but his contempt for him is unmissable. The Gandhis and the Congress hate the Sikhs. Never forget that Indira Gandhi desecrated the Darbar Sahib,” Malviya wrote in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore has launched a counterattack and called a “diversion politics” by “Sanghis”.

“When will the Sanghis stop this ‘Take Diversion’ politics? The way Modi denied Dr. Saheb a place for cremation on the Yamuna banks and how his ministers cornered Dr. Saheb’s family is shameful. If Mr Gandhi travels privately, why does it bother you? Get well in New Year,” Tagore posted on X.

Notably, Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical issues in Delhi on December 26. On Saturday, Manmohan Singh was cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi’s Kashmere Gate in the presence of his family, friends, colleagues, and government dignitaries. (ANI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla feels Yashasvi Jaiswal was “clearly” not out on Day 5 of the fourth Test of the BGT series against Australia in Melbourne on Monday.

The decision by the third umpire Sharfuddoula on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal on the final day of the fourth Test of the BGT series has left the world of cricket divided.

The controversial moment occurred on the fifth ball of the 71st over when Jaiswal tried to pull the ball away off Australian captain Pat Cummins. Australia appealed for the decision, but the on-field umpired turned them down. Cummins decided to take the decision upstairs, and that’s where the controversial moment happened.

In the replay, the ball seemingly deflected on its way to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, but the snickometer didn’t show any movement when the ball visibly appeared to be deflected off Jaiswal’s gloves.

The third umpire felt the visual evidence was enough to deem Jaiswal out and asked the on-field umpire to overturn the decision.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla took to X and stated that the young southpaw was clearly not out. According to him, the third umpire should have had solid reasons to overturn the decision.

“Yashaswi jayaswal was clearly not out. Third umpire should have taken note of what technology was suggesting. While over ruling field umpire third umpire should have solid reasons,” Shukla wrote on X.

For former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, the decision was clearly out, and there should be no argument about Jaiswal’s dismissal.

“They can make of it what they like. That clearly hit the glove.” “As far as I’m concerned, there’s no argument whatsoever.” – Ricky Ponting said during commentary.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan gave his take on the entire incident and said, “There was a deflection but nothing on snicko…”

For former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, it was an “Interesting and huge moment.”

Jaiswal’s dissmisal lef India without much hope as the Australians managed to bowl India out and win the 4th Test at the MCG by 184 runs and take a 2-1 lead in the five match series. The last test will now be played at Sydney. (ANI)

As the “Mini-Pakistan” remark erupts row inviting reactions from opposition leaders, Maharashtra Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday clarified that Kerala was very much part of India, saying he was merely comparing the situation in Kerala and Pakistan. He said that if the treatment meted out to “Hindus” in Pakistan is similar to happenings in India, there should be action against the same.

“We want our country, which is a Hindu Rashtra, to remain a Hindu Rashtra,” Rane told ANI, adding that “Hindus” must be protected in every way.

“Kerala is very much part of India. However, the decreasing population of Hindus is something everyone should worry about. The religious conversion of Hindus into Muslims and Christians (Islam and Christianity) has become an everyday thing there. The love jihad cases where Hindu women are targeted are also increasing there. I was comparing the situation (in Kerala) with Pakistan. The way Hindus are treated in Pakistan if such situations happen in our very own country, we must take action against that. That is what I was trying to say in my speech,” Rane, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, said.

Rane further said that he was stating facts and was accompanied by a person who has helped “12,000 Hindu women” by stopping them from getting converted to “Islam and Christianity.” He maintained that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have won in the Wayanad constituency because they received support from terrorist organisations.

“The entire situation can be compared. I was just stating the facts. I was accompanied by a gentleman who has helped 12,000 Hindu women by stopping them from getting converted to Islam and Christianity. What I said about Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, you ask anyone in the Wayanad constituency. Who are the people who support them? Which are the organisations that support them? A lot of local BJP leaders have said the same thing. Can Congress come out and say we are wrong? Can they say that there is not a single terrorist organisation that supported Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in the elections? Let them say. We will give more proof. Whatever I said was based on facts,” Rane added.

In a speech, Rane compared Kerala to “Mini-Pakistan,” saying that Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi were elected as members of Parliament for precisely this reason.

“Kerala is mini Pakistan that is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister are elected from there. All terrorists vote for them. This is the truth, you can ask. They have become MPs after taking terrorists with them,” Rane said while addressing a rally in Purandar Taluka of Pune district.

Rane, son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane, was speaking at a function on the occasion of Shiv Pratap Din, the anniversary of a historic incident when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had killed Afzal Khan when he made these remarks.

Reacting to this, Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and questioned the need for Rane to remain part of the cabinet. He said that Rane’s work was to do this only. (ANI)