Saturday, January 17, 2026

PM Modi’s  vision in spotlight as India marks National Space Day

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  As India commemorates National Space Day this Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for space development and reforms takes centre stage, highlighting their pivotal role in the success of last year’s Chandrayaan-3 mission. Leading scientists across the nation lauded the Prime Minister following the mission’s achievement, and their interactions with PM Modi were both inspiring and indicative of deep contemplation in this direction.

The National Space Day commemorates India’s landmark achievement as on August 23 last year, India became the fourth country in the world to land on the moon and the first to reach its southern polar region.

The theme for this year’s National Space Day is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga”.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath in a video message said that the Prime Minister has strengthened the space ecosystem in the country through policy intervention.

As a prime minister, he has undertaken many initiatives to reform the space sector. The National Space Policy was announced in which the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Space have been clearly delineated. Similarly, under the new foreign direct investment policy for the space sector, private and foreign investments are now allowed with certain controls and regulations which was not possible earlier, Somanath said.

On the geospatial policy, the ISRO chief said that all the geospatial data and satellite data are now made available free of cost, up to five meters, to everybody so as to create a secondary effect on it. These are three important steps in terms of policy initiatives that the government has taken, piloted by the Prime Minister, he added.

Somanath also recalled how Prime Minister Modi took a small break from the BRICS summit to watch the live transmission of the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s soft landing on the lunar surface. “I remember our honourable Prime Minister, Modi ji, was there watching live transmission, and he was waving the flag.”

After returning from the BRICS summit, the Prime Minister on August 26 went to the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru to greet the scientists behind the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It was the day when Prime Minister Modi announced that August 23 would be commemorated as the National Space Day.

B.N. Ramakrishna, Director, ISRO Telemetry, Tracking & Command Network, recalled how Prime Minister Modi boosted the morale of scientists when the Chandrayaan-2 mission’s soft landing failed. “He (PM Modi) was sitting in the visitors’ gallery, constantly monitoring the various parameters of Chandrayaan-2. Everything was going so smoothly… but at the last minute, we could not land properly on the moon, we had a hard landing… It took some time for all of us to digest. There was a pin-drop silence in the control centre, and the Prime Minister was also watching from the visitors’ gallery.

“Then after four to five minutes, when we were not able to communicate to the lander from our deep space antenna, we had to announce that it was not a soft landing. So with that, the Prime Minister came down from the visitors gallery, and consoled each one of us at that moment, because all of us were in great emotions. We thought that he was not going to come back. And we were all trying to analyze what went wrong… We were still having discussions in the meeting room till 4-5 a.m., about what went wrong and why we did not land properly. At that time, we got a message that the Prime Minister is coming and addressing us at 8 a.m. He has taken all of us into his confidence and he said ‘failures are part of the success. Do not worry today what you have missed. Please look at it and come back. And I am sure ISRO and India are going to be successful…’. So that was the kind of assurance he gave. And even he patted our former chairman.”

M. Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) said, “I am here in ISRO for the last 38 years. The main difference I am seeing in the approach of ISRO is that earlier, what we do, how we do it, was not really known to anybody, only the outcome of that as a service was made available to the concerned departments or public, whatever it is. So it was only concentrating on the outcome. But nowadays, what we are seeing is that not only the outcome is essential, but what we are doing also should reach the public. It should be known to the public. That is the change I am seeing in recent years.”

Prime Minister Modi, according to Sankaran, was “very clear that we have to involve other than government agencies in the space activities that… finally resulted in the space sector reforms”.

ISRO Scientist Pavithra Shinde, who was also part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, recalled how the Prime Minister suggested naming the landing site of Chandrayaan-3 as the ‘Shiv Shakti Point’ and also Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on women’s power during the August 26 interaction with scientists.

Chandrayaan-3 was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on July 14, 2023. The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on August 5, and became the first lander to touch down near the lunar south pole on August 23.

CBI submits status report in Supreme Court in Kolkata doctor rape & murder case

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Kolkata: The CBI, on Thursday, submitted its status report to the Supreme Court on the progress of the investigation into the rape and murder of a woman doctor in state-run R.G Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, and as per sources the agency has found several missing links.

The apex court’s division bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud is hearing the matter. This is the second hearing at the CJI’s division bench in the matter and all eyes now are on the proceedings at the division bench.

Sources said the first missing link is the substantial gap between the time of the discovery of the body at the seminar hall of the hospital building on the morning of August 9 and that of intimation to the local police station about the tragedy.

Sources said that the investigating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials are trying to figure out why the hospital authorities, especially, the former and controversial R.G. Principal Sandip Ghosh took so much time to inform the police after the discovery of the body. The CBI has been interrogating Dr Ghosh to join the dots since last Friday. The questioning has been going on for marathon 12 to 14 hours almost every day.

On Thursday also, Dr Ghosh appeared for interrogation at the CBI’s Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. This was the seventh consecutive day of his appearance. The CBI has also summoned Ghosh’s driver for interrogation on Thursday.

The second missing link is the exact person who first spotted the body of the victim at the seminar hall on the morning of August 9.

Sources said that even after interrogating several medical and non-medical staff of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, the investigating officials are yet to identify the individual who first spotted the body. Contradictory statements have been given by those being interrogated.

Sources said that the investigating official believed that once the individual, who spotted the body first is zeroed in, answers for many unanswered queries in the matter will be found.

The body of a woman doctor was found in mysterious circumstances on the hospital premises on August 9. One person has been arrested so far. Protests erupted in the city and later across the country over the case.

Anti-Sikh film Emergency should be banned immediately says Jathedar Akal Takht

By
Swinder Singh Bajwa
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Amritsar : Akal Takht the highest Sikh temporal seat Jathedar Gyani Raghbir Singh and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami have demanded an immediate ban on the film ‘Emergency’, which portrays the character of Sikhs in a wrong way. They said that this film has been made by actress Kangana Ranaut, who remains in controversy due to her anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab expressions, with the intention of deliberately character assassinating Sikhs, which the Sikh community cannot tolerate.

Jathedar Akal Takht and SGPC president Dhmai said that  by creating an anti-Sikh narrative about the martyrs of June 1984, this is a despicable act of disrespecting the community. They said that the community can never forget the anti-Sikh brutality of June 1984 and Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale has been declared a Qaumi Shaheed (community’s martyr) by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, while Kangana Ranaut’s film is trying to character assassinate him. He said that Kangana Ranaut has often deliberately made expressions that provoke the sentiments of Sikhs, but instead of taking action against her, the government is protecting her. He said that the government should file a case against Kangana Ranaut for inciting religious sentiments of Sikhs for her act through the film Emergency.

Expressing strong objection, they said that it is clear from the released excerpts of the Emergency film that it has deliberately misrepresented the character of Sikhs as separatists, which is part of a deep conspiracy.

They said that on the one hand, the release of the film ‘Punjab ’95’, made on the life of human rights Sikh activist Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, was not approved even after 85 cuts, while this Emergency film presenting false facts about Sikh community has been given clearance immediately. He said these double standards are not in the interest of the country, so the government needs to seriously discuss this issue.

Dhami said that there have been many such cases related to films in the past when Sikh sentiments have been hurt due to misrepresentation of Sikh characters and religious concerns of Sikhs. He demanded an immediate ban on the Emergency film of Kangana Ranaut from Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Ashwini Vaishnav, and said that it should be ensured from now on that no film with anti-Sikh sentiments is released. Harjinder Singh Dhami called for the inclusion of Sikh members in the Central Board of Film Certification, as biased decisions are being taken due to the absence of a Sikh member. He said that the SGPC has earlier passed resolutions in its general meeting several times and demanded that a representative of Sikhs must be included in the Central Board of Film Certification, but it is sad that the government is not implementing the same. The SGPC President said that it is very important to ban this film because it is natural that the release of this film will cause a lot of anger and resentment in the Sikh community.

However, Jathedar Akal Takht said that Sikhs can never tolerate imitation of their martyrs in films. He said that in Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film ‘Emergency’, the character of the great martyr Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwala of the twentieth century has been distorted.

Adding further he said that if the government does not immediately remove the objectionable scenes in the film ‘Emergency’ which misrepresent the image and history of Sikhs, then the government will be directly responsible for the consequences that may arise. 

Assembly polls: Massive paramilitary deployment in Kashmir Valley

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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The Central government has significantly ramped up security measures throughout the Kashmir valley in view of the upcoming Assembly Elections in 2024. Nearly 300 paramilitary companies, including units from the CRPF, BSF, SSB, and ITBP, have been deployed to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process, given the region’s history of political instability.

A senior police official noted that these forces have been strategically placed across various locations in the valley, from the bustling streets of Srinagar to the remote areas of Kupwara. Key districts such as Handwara, Ganderbal, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Awantipora, and Kulgam are also under tight security.

The highest concentration of forces is in Srinagar, where 55 companies have been stationed. Anantnag follows with 50 companies, and Kulgam has 31 companies. Other districts, including Budgam, Pulwama, and Awantipora, have received 24 companies each, while Shopian, Kupwara, Baramulla, Handwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal have been allocated varying numbers of companies to ensure balanced security coverage.

Earlier this week, the Chief Election Commissioner of India announced the election schedule, marking the first Assembly elections in the region since a decade that saw significant unrest in 2016, the abrogation of Article 370, and the reorganization of the state in 2019. 

The election will be conducted in three phases, starting on September 18, with subsequent phases on September 25 and October 1. The results are set to be announced on October 4.

Rahul Gandhi & Mallikarjun Kharge reach Srinagar

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reached Srinagar on Wednesday, beginning their two-day visit to J&K.

The programme of the two senior Congress leaders had to be rescheduled because of the Bharat Bandh on Wednesday.

Earlier, they were to begin their visit from Jammu but now they will go to Jammu on Thursday.

The two leaders would drive to Hotel Lalit Palace on the banks of the Dal Lake where they will stay for the night.

Security has been beefed up in and around the Hotel. Both leaders will meet party leaders and workers to strengthen the party and improve its poll chances for the upcoming legislative elections in J&K.

“The two leaders are expected to meet National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti to forge a pre-poll alliance against the BJP during the assembly elections in J&K, ” sources said.

There are sufficient indications that the Congress has already worked out a seat-sharing formula with the NC which the two Congress leaders will discuss with the NC leaders during the visit.

“They will discuss seat-sharing formula with the NC here while pre-poll alliance is almost final, ” sources said.

Rahul will also meet Pradesh Congress Committee leaders to discuss the seat-sharing formula.

Farooq Abdullah has recently said that there would be no pre-poll alliance with any political party and the NC is confident of getting a majority in the 90-member J&K Assembly on its own.

Congress and the NC had a poll alliance during the Lok Sabha polls as well. Two seats of the Jammu division and the lone Lok Sabha seat of the Ladakh region were given to the Congress while three seats in the Valley were given to the NC.

Congress lost both seats in the Jammu division to the BJP while the Ladakh seat was won by an NC rebel defeating the BJP and the Congress candidates.

Out of the three seats in the Valley, Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri were won by the NC while an independent candidate, Engineer Rashid defeated the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha election.

J&K has been without an elected government since June 2018 when the BJP pulled out of the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government.

The state came under the Governor’s rule and the then Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly.

On August 5, 2019, Article 370 was abrogated and J&K was divided into two union territories of J&K and Ladakh.

Voting will be held for the first phase on September 18, for the second phase on September 28 and for the third phase on October 1.

Counting is scheduled on October 4 and the poll process would be over by October 6.

PM Modi embarks on three-day visit to Poland, Ukraine

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-day visit to Poland and Ukraine to lay the foundation for stronger bilateral ties with the two nations.

He will first arrive in Poland on Wednesday, marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister in 45 years. The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries.

“My visit to Poland comes as we mark 70 years of our diplomatic relations. Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe. Our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further reinforces our relationship, ” the Prime Minister said in his departure statement.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, and President Andrzej Duda to further advance the partnership between India and Poland.

PM Modi will also engage with the members of the vibrant Indian community there.

After his Poland visit, PM Modi will travel to war-torn Ukraine on August 23, on what will be the first visit by an Indian PM to the country since the establishment of bilateral relations in 1992.

“From Poland, I will be visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine. I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, ” the departure statement further read.

According to the statement, the visit will serve as a “natural continuation of extensive contacts” with the two nations and help forge the foundation for stronger bilateral ties in the future.

The Prime Minister’s engagements in Kyiv will touch on a range of aspects of bilateral ties including political, trade, economic, investments, education, cultural, people-to-people exchanges, humanitarian assistance and others, a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs detailed.

As India continues to encourage a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, PM Modi had met the Ukrainian President on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy’s Apulia on June 14, terming the discussions as “very productive”.

During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, India has maintained its consistent position that allows it to reach out to both sides to find a solution to the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.

At the same time, New Delhi has dispatched tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Kyiv, including essential medicines and medical equipment.

SC sets aside Calcutta HC order advising adolescent girls to ‘control sexual urges’

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a Calcutta High Court ruling, wherein adolescent girls were advised to “learn how to control their sexual urges”.

A bench, headed by Justice Abhay S. Oka, pronounced its verdict in a suo moto proceedings initiated in the wake of “sweeping observations” made in the high court order, including on the appeal filed by the West Bengal government.

In December last year, the top court had exercised suo moto cognisance due to “highly objectionable and completely unwarranted” findings recorded by the Calcutta High Court suggesting “every female adolescent control sexual urge/urges as in the eyes of the society she is the loser when she gives in to enjoy the sexual pleasure of hardly two minutes”.

The observations were made by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court as it dealt with an appeal against conviction under Sections 363 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 as well as Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

The bench of Justices Chitta Ranjan Das and Partha Sarathi Sen overturned an earlier order by a lower court sentencing a teenager to 20 years imprisonment for having sex with his romantic partner, who is also a minor. It acquitted the teenage boy after the minor girl, also a teenager, admitted that the physical relations were consensual since both had decided to marry each other at a later stage. She also admitted that neither she nor her romantic partner, both hailing from remote rural areas, were aware that 18 was the official age of sexual relationship as per Indian law.

“In the appeal against conviction, the High Court was called upon to adjudicate only on the merits of the appeal and nothing else. But we find that the High Court has discussed so many issues which were irrelevant. Prima facie, we are of the view that while writing a judgment in such an appeal, the Hon’ble Judges are not expected to express their personal views. They are not expected to preach, ” the Supreme Court had said, as it took suo moto cognisance of the issue. It had appointed senior advocate Madhavi Goradia Divan as amicus curiae to assist the court.

Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Rahul says ‘Your dreams for India are my own’

New Delhi:  The Congress party on Tuesday paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 80th birth anniversary, celebrating his contribution to India’s political and technological landscape.

Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh were present on the occasion.

Rahul Gandhi shared on X a photo from Veer Bhumi, paying floral tribute to his father, and said: “A compassionate personality, an epitome of camaraderie and goodwill… Papa, your teachings are my inspiration, and your dreams for India are my own – I will fulfill them, taking your memories with me.”

Mallikarjun Kharge posted a video of Rajiv Gandhi and said: “Today, India is celebrating Sadbhavana Diwas. Former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, was a great son of India. He ignited a ray of hope in crores of Indians and with his unprecedented contribution, he brought India into the 21st century.”

“His many notable initiatives like lowering of voting age to 18 years, strengthening of Panchayati Raj, telecom and IT revolution, computerisation programmes, continuing peace accords, women empowerment, universal immunisation programme and new education policy with emphasis on inclusive education brought about transformational changes in the country. We pay heartfelt tribute to Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi ji on his birth anniversary, ” he added.

Jairam Ramesh also celebrated Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to India’s political and technological landscape.

“Today is Rajiv Gandhi@80. His was a short but very consequential political life. The March 1985 Budget in which he played a key role heralded a new approach to economic policy. The manifesto for the 1991 Lok Sabha elections, on which he spent long hours a few weeks before his tragic assassination, provided the foundations for the Rao-Manmohan Singh reforms of June-July 1991, ” he wrote in a post on X.

“Peace accords in troubled regions of the country like Assam, Punjab, Mizoram, and Tripura were made possible by his statesmanship that put national interest over the immediate interests of his party. He had a vision for societal applications of science and technology that were reflected in the impactful technology missions in drinking water supply, immunisation, literacy, oilseeds production, and telecom and dairy development, ” he added.

“In 1985, 165, 000 villages had been identified as not having easy access to any potable water source. By 1989, 162, 000 villages of these villages had been provided with at least one safe source of drinking water. Institutions that are now doing the country proud, like C-DAC, were established in the late 1980s. Financial institutions like the National Housing Bank and the Small Industries Development Bank of India came into being, ” he wrote in his post.

“The New Education Policy of 1986, anchored in progressive values, bore his personal imprint. Today’s Navodaya Vidyalayas emerged from this initiative. The voting age was reduced to 18 years and Swami Vivekananda’s birthday was declared as National Youth Day. Article 243 of our Constitution is a tribute to his fierce commitment to empowering elected panchayats and nagarpalikas. Today, we have over 3 million elected representatives in these institutions of self-government, of whom over 40 per cent are women. We recall not just a Prime Minister today but also a very fine and caring human being who bore no malice, showed no vindictiveness, sought no revenge, indulged in no bombast and self-glory, and exhibited no qualities of self-delusion, ” Jairam Ramesh concluded.

Bhagwant Mann pays obeisance at Sri Huzoor Sahib prayed for development & prosperity

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Nanded (Maharashtra) :  Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday paid homage at Takhat Sri Huzoor Sahib, Nanded and prayed for the progress and development of the state and prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the Holy Takhat Sri Huzoor Sahib was one of the five highest seats of religious authority in Sikh religion from where the community gets its spiritual, temporal and moral strength, the other four being Sri Akal Takhat Sahib( Amritsar), Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Ananadpur Sahib), Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) and Takhat Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar. He said that Dashmesh Pitaah Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who had made unparalleled contributions for upholding the age-old traditions of secularism besides safeguarding the human rights and ensuring religious independence thereby sacrificing everything including even his own family, had spent a long time of his life on this sacred land. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he was blessed to have got the opportunity to pay reverence at this holy land blessed by the great Guru.

Punjab Chief Minister sought blessings of almighty to give enormous strength to him for serving the people of state with all humility and dedication. He offered prayers at Gurdwara sahib and reiterated the firm commitment of his government to serve the people of the state regardless of caste, colour, creed and religion to create a harmonious society. Bhagwant Singh Mann thanked the Almighty for bestowing upon him the responsibility to serve the people of Punjab with sincerity, dedication and commitment to fulfill their aspirations.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that he will be meeting eminent industrialists and bollywood stars during his Mumbai visit slated on Wednesday. He said that the purpose of the visit is to showcase Punjab as the favorite investment destination amongst the captains of industry and film world. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is coming up with a project to establish Film City in the state for which these discussions will act as a catalyst.

Amarnath Yatra concludes today, nearly 5 lakh pilgrims pay obeisance

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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The annual Amarnath Yatra will conclude in Jammu and Kashmir today after 52 days, with nearly five lakh pilgrims visiting the cave shrine in the Himalayas.

‘Chhari Mubarak’, carried by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, started the last leg of its journey from Panchtarni to the holy cave this morning.

The yatra started on June 29 and will end today after 52 days amid high-security cover.

It will conclude on the occasion of ‘Shravan Purnima’ coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.

Amid traditional ‘puja’ and rituals, daylong prayers will be offered for world peace and prosperity of mankind after which the Chhari Mubarak will return to Panchtarni.

Chhari Mubarak left its seat at Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 14. After paying obeisance at various temples en route, it stayed at Pahalgam for two nights before starting its onward journey to the cave shrine on August 16.

Swami Deependra Giri, the custodial of Chhari Mubarak, expressed satisfaction over the improved arrangements made by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) headed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and the union territory administration for the pilgrims.

Swami Giri said with the increased facilities, including the widening of the track to the cave shrine the influx of pilgrims has increased.

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