Latest news with #Mangalyaan
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Graduates' ideas and plans must contribute meaningfully to nation: Ex-Isro chairman
Mandya: In today's competitive world, the number of graduates is steadily increasing, and their ideas and plans must contribute meaningfully to the nation, said S Somanath, former Isro chairman and current chancellor of Chanakya University. He delivered the convocation address at the 5th convocation of Adichunchanagiri University in BG Nagara in Nagamangala Taluk. "Until now, your life was in a different direction. From today, a new phase—your professional and personal life—begins. Alongside knowledge, your skills will now play a vital role. Always uphold values like character, integrity, and wholeness in your career and life," he advised the graduates. "India has made immense contributions to the world through its rich culture, and today it stands tall in the science and technology community through missions like 'Mangalyaan' and ' Chandrayaan-3 '," he said. He noted that modern technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, is now solving many complex problems. "There are several transformative changes taking place in space research and the health and pharmaceutical sectors. We are witnessing developments that are a matter of pride for our nation. Blockchain technology is now being used for financial regulation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How to Trade ETH/USD Without Holding Ether IC Markets Learn More Undo If success is accompanied by humility, it adds meaning to life," he said. A total of 1,882 candidates were conferred with various degrees at the convocation. Agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, who also spoke on the occasion, said, "Graduates are national assets. While many convocation ceremonies happen across the country, the value and significance of Adichunchanagiri University's convocation are unmatched. Adichunchanagiri mutt seer Nirmalanandanatha Swami is fulfilling the vision of former seer Balagangadharanatha Swami. The institution has achieved remarkable progress, and graduates must now focus on giving back to the nation. The challenges ahead are many—along with education, knowledge is essential. This esteemed institution is our pride," he added. Nirmalanandanatha Swami blessed and congratulated the gold medal winners, rank holders, and PhD awardees. During the convocation, 20 candidates were conferred with the PhD. Gold medallists Medicine - Dr Deekshita K Iyer Engineering - B Varsha, Likhith R Arbia, Muskaan Bindu VR, Preethi KD, Rekharani, Nityashree S Jain, Manoj Gowda DK, Puneeth Kumar, Ullas S, Jeevitha R, Jnana DN.
Hans India
25-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
OU, ISRO unite to celebrate National Space Day 2025
Hyderabad: The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at the University College of Engineering, Osmania University, in collaboration with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, today hosted 'National Space Day 2025'. The event, held at the ECE Department premises, brought together students, faculty, and prominent figures from the space science community. Dr K Chandrashekhar, Group Director of PPEG at NRSC, ISRO, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr Gopalakrishna, Group Head of TEOG at NRSC, ISRO, served as the Guest of Honour. Distinguished participants included Professor Krishnaiah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Osmania University; Professor P Naveen Kumar, Convener and Head of the Department of ECE; and Dr R Srinivas, Head of SPOD at NRSC, ISRO. In his keynote address, Dr Chandrashekhar underscored the pivotal role of ISRO's space activities and the transformative applications of satellite data. He expounded on the significance of celebrating National Space Day 2025, providing an overview of ISRO's remarkable achievements and ambitious future missions. Dr Chandrashekhar particularly highlighted the diverse career opportunities available at ISRO, encouraging students to consider pursuing roles within the nation's premier space organisation. Dr Gopalakrishna elaborated on ISRO's numerous accomplished missions and offered insights into upcoming missions and related technological advancements. Professor Krishnaiah emphasised the critical importance of research and development (R&D) activities in Space Science Technologies, motivating students to deepen their engagement with STEM fields. Professor P Naveen Kumar highlighted the significant contributions of the ECE Department at Osmania University to space technologies and its collaborations with ISRO centres. He urged students to capitalise on the opportunities and resources offered by ISRO for their career development and future endeavours. Dr R Srinivas emphasised the importance of the Chandrayaan missions, particularly ISRO's historic achievement of Chandrayaan-3's successful landing on the lunar south pole. He also briefed the audience on other landmark accomplishments, including Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1, and the unprecedented launch of 104 satellites simultaneously using PSLV C37. As part of the National Space Day celebrations, various competitions were held on July 22nd, with prizes awarded during today's inaugural program.
Hans India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
NFTDC plays vital role across defence, space, medicine & electronics sectors: Kishan Reddy
Hyderabad: Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy praised the Non-Ferrous Material Technology Development Centre (NFTDC) for its critical contributions to national defense, electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), medicine, space exploration, and other areas by continually advancing technology to meet evolving demands. During his visit to the NFTDC on Thursday, the Union Minister inquired about the ongoing experiments at the centre and later participated in a review meeting with officials. Kishan Reddy acknowledged the guidance received by the organization from distinguished figures, including Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Missile Man of India and former President, along with renowned scientists such as B.K. Rava, Dr. P. Rama Rao, and Dr. V. Arunachalam. He highlighted that the specialized materials required for major projects such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Gaganyaan, under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), were sourced from this center using advanced technology. Highlighting the importance of NFTDC in light of the central government's focus on the National Critical Minerals Mission, he indicated that the center will play a crucial role in the recycling and processing of minerals. The Union Minister praised NFTDC for its initiative to develop technology and partner with the private sector to promote further advancements in the field. He advised the officials that if they faced any challenges in their efforts, he would bring those issues to the Prime Minister's attention. In a time characterized by uncertainty in global supply chains for critical minerals, the efforts of NFTDC are steering India toward self-reliance in this sector. Kishan Reddy expressed his aspiration for the institute to become a global hub for advanced magnets and strategic materials technologies.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
India's Astronauts Vs Pakistan's Terrorists: A Tale of Two National Visions
New Delhi: As India prepares to send an astronaut into space, the contrast with its western neighbour could not be more stark. While India trains scientists and astronauts to explore the cosmos, state-sponsored terror continues to operate undeterred in Pakistan, Dr VK Saraswat, former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and current member of NITI Aayog told NDTV. "It's a glaring example of the psychology of our adversary. While India has always focused on training its people for peaceful exploration of space, Pakistan has, unfortunately, chosen a path of fostering terrorism," Dr Saraswat said. His remarks come a month after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam left 26 civilians dead. India then began Operation Sindoor on May 7 with air strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "Our space program is globally recognised for achieving excellence at the lowest cost," Dr Saraswat emphasised. "It's a testament to India's commitment to peaceful progress and technological innovation." India's space journey began with Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic flight to space in 1984 and advanced to remarkable missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. India is also planning its own space station and deep space missions, all aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and benefiting humanity. Next month, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station, marking another proud moment for India's space ambitions. Further, Indian Space Research Organisation's Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit aboard an indigenous spacecraft. Contrasting with the advancements with the situation across the border, Dr Saraswat said Pakistan should leverage technology to better people's lives. "Terrorism is an anathema to social structure. It should be detested and removed. Instead of creating chaos, Pakistan should focus on science and technology for the betterment of its people," he said. With the motive of the betterment of people, Dr Saraswat suggested that India is open to collaboration with its neighbour in the space sector. "If Pakistan wants to work with us, we can even consider a joint space program. We're willing to share technologies that can uplift their population," he said. As India prepares to launch its next astronaut, its message and vision is clear - peace, progress, and prosperity through science.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
From cosmos to classrooms, the Kasturirangan impact
With the many roles he played in India's space missions, including the success of Mangalyaan, K Kasturirangan will be remembered as the man who took India closer to the stars. What is less well known is that his quiet brilliance also shone in another direction. His most enduring legacy may lie not in the cosmos but in the classrooms of India, where his work through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 continues to shape the lives of millions. As chairperson of the NEP drafting committee, Kasturirangan recognised that the key to India's growth lay in empowering its youngest minds with the foundational skills necessary for a prosperous nation. NEP laid the groundwork for a future where foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) are not aspirational but guaranteed for every child. The impact of his work, particularly through initiatives like the National Initiative for Proficiency with Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Mission, is already being felt across India. He may have laid the foundation for a developed India built on the knowledge and capabilities of those who are children now. Kasturirangan's deep commitment to education was apparent long before his role as the chief architect of NEP 2020. In 2008 he was appointed chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. In that role and as a board member of institutions such as IIT Roorkee, IIT Madras, and IISc Bangalore, Kasturirangan was instrumental in shaping curricula and guiding strategic decisions in India's higher education system. If students do not achieve the first milestone of reading and numeracy by Grade 3, they fall behind not just in school but in life. This would have profound implications for their ability to engage in higher-level learning and, ultimately, for their success in life. FLN eventually became a movement across the country. Over 15 states have launched FLN missions and programmes, and NISHTHA FLN (a programme that aims to improve teacher training and education quality) has been adopted by 90% of states and Union Territories. It even made it to the G20 Summit in 2023 where Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted NIPUN Bharat and G20 took up FLN as an international priority. Green shoots from the FLN drive are beginning to show in survey data. According to the latest Annual Status of Education (Rural) Report (ASER), literacy levels in government schools have gone up from 20.9% (2018) to 23.4% (2024) and numeracy from 20.9% (2018) to 27.6% (2024) at the national level -- the highest ever outcomes at a Grade 3 level. Another NEP breakthrough has been recognising the importance of strong early years and play-based learning for children in the 3-6 years age group. This has been institutionalised in the form of Balvatika (pre-primary) and Vidya Pravesh (transitioning from pre-primary to primary) programmes, a total of 72% of students were covered under Vidya Pravesh by 2023. Another cornerstone of NEP 2020 is the creation of large, integrated school complexes — a move away from fragmented, under-resourced institutions toward more cohesive, resource-efficient hubs. The PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) scheme, launched in 2022, represents a major step forward in implementation, where 14,500 schools are meant to be transformed into model institutions. These schools are meant not only to embody NEP's pedagogical ideals but also to serve as demonstration and anchor schools within their clusters. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) has also been revamped under Kasturirangan's leadership for a better fit with NEP 2020 goals. It restructures schooling into four stages — foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary — aligning curriculum and pedagogy with child development milestones. It also shifts focus from rote memorisation to building core skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of knowledge; emphasises FLN, experiential learning, and a reform of assessment methods to measure conceptual understanding rather than just exam performance. Kasturirangan may no longer be with us. But his legacy lives on through the transformative changes he initiated in India's education system. His work continues to push Indian education toward greater inclusivity and innovation, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Ashish Dhawan is founder-CEO and Bikkrama Daulet Singh is operating partner, The Convergence Foundation. The views expressed are personal
