Author: Akancha Mishra

In a landmark achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched PSLV-C60 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday, carrying the SpaDeX payload and innovative technology. This mission is significant for its attempt to achieve the rare feat of docking two satellites in space, a crucial step for India’s future space endeavors. The SpaDeX mission, a cost-effective technology demonstration, aims to show how two small spacecraft can rendezvous, dock, and undock in low Earth orbit. The primary goal is to develop the necessary technology for such maneuvers, with the spacecraft SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target) being launched together…

Deloitte has forecast that the Indian economy will grow between 6.5% and 6.8% in FY25, driven by robust domestic consumption, with projections for FY26 rising to 6.7% to 7.3%. Despite a slower-than-expected growth rate in the first half of fiscal 2025, influenced by election-related uncertainties, heavy rainfall, and geopolitical issues impacting exports and domestic demand, India’s economy remains resilient. The key growth sectors include consumption, services, and high-value manufacturing exports. Economist Mrs. Rumki Majumdar pointed out that while the economy faced challenges in the first half of the year, areas such as services and consumption trends have shown significant resilience.…

Vivek Ramaswamy, former Republican presidential candidate, has faced intense backlash after stating that American workers are not being hired due to mediocrity. In a post on X, he argued that American culture has prioritized mediocrity over excellence, particularly since the 1990s. His comments were met with criticism from both the left and right, with figures like Nikki Haley and John Cardillo condemning his views. Ramaswamy’s remarks coincided with a broader immigration debate, sparked by far-right activist Laura Loomer’s criticism of Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan as a senior policy adviser on AI. Loomer took issue with Krishnan’s previous support for…

Outraged by ongoing anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, Hindu Americans in Silicon Valley have launched a significant awareness campaign called “Ask Yunus Why.” The campaign, spearheaded by the United Hindu Council, kicked off with a billboard unveiling at a prime spot on 880-N and Market Street in Oakland, just before Christmas. Over the next three months, the campaign will roll out digital billboards at six key locations across the Bay Area, including major bridges and high-traffic areas. These billboards aim to raise awareness and encourage public discourse about the violence targeting Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The United Hindu Council…

Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor has officially confirmed that his blockbuster film Animal is the first chapter of a thrilling three-part franchise. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the sequel, titled Animal Park, is already in development, with filming scheduled to commence in 2027. Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Ranbir shared his excitement about the trilogy’s ambitious scope. He revealed that Vanga had been crafting ideas for the sequels even before the release of the first movie. This long-term vision promises to expand on the rich narrative and complex characters introduced in Animal, which debuted in December 2023…

Varun Dhawan’s highly awaited action-thriller Baby John premiered globally today, setting a new milestone in his career with the actor’s widest release to date. Spanning over 1,250 screens across 1,000+ locations in 75+ countries, the Christmas morning debut of this mass entertainer brought festive excitement to fans worldwide. The unprecedented scale of Baby John’s release highlights Varun Dhawan’s rising influence as an international star, cementing his status as a global Bollywood icon. The film, directed by Atlee and featuring music by Thaman S, showcases an adrenaline-fueled storyline with stellar performances, ensuring audiences around the world experience its thrill simultaneously. Baby…

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) extended warm Christmas wishes to people on Earth. Despite being far from home, Williams shared a heartfelt message, wishing everyone a ‘Merry Christmas.’ The festive video showed the crew, wearing Santa caps, gathered around a small Christmas tree, creating a cheerful atmosphere in space. As the ISS Commander, Williams expressed her excitement at spending the holiday season with her six fellow crew members in orbit. In the video, she said, “Welcome to the International Space Station as we prepare for the Christmas holidays.” The crew shared…

India’s agriculture sector, which contributes 18% to the national GDP, has proven its resilience, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging stronger than many global counterparts. Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the agricultural sector. During the Platinum Jubilee Conference of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (AERC) in Pune, he highlighted the importance of bringing agricultural research from laboratories to fields to benefit farmers directly. The minister highlighted the cultural significance of agriculture in India and its historical role in advocating global unity since World War…

NASA and ISRO have announced that their long-awaited Earth observation satellite, NISAR, will likely launch in March 2025, after delays pushed back its initial 2024 launch date. The NISAR satellite, developed jointly over a decade, will provide comprehensive monitoring of Earth’s ecosystems, land, and sea ice, with remarkable precision. Using dual-frequency radar—NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band—NISAR will gather data to track environmental changes and monitor natural hazards. The satellite, weighing 2.8 tonnes, was first conceptualized following a 2014 agreement between India and the US. The satellite’s advanced radar capabilities will enable it to produce high-resolution images in all conditions, even…

India is set to initiate its Critical Mineral Mission in 2025, a landmark project designed to secure vital minerals for the nation’s green energy transition and the expansion of its electric vehicle industry. This ambitious initiative will bring together multiple ministries, industries, research institutions, and global think tanks to ensure a consistent and sustainable supply of essential minerals. As global demand for resources like lithium and cobalt intensifies, India aims to secure a competitive position by acquiring mineral assets, particularly in Australia, and attracting foreign investment. The demand for critical minerals is expected to rise sharply, driven by the electric…