Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Amidst the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Palestine, another potential crisis looms as Iran launches retaliatory attacks on Israel, raising fears of a full-scale war. This escalation is of particular concern for India due to its proximity to West Asia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has swiftly expressed serious concern and called for immediate de-escalation. India, maintaining friendly ties with both Iran and Israel, faces a delicate diplomatic challenge, needing to address the issue without compromising its strategic interests. While historically reliant on Iranian crude oil, India has also nurtured strong strategic partnerships with Israel, especially…

India recently conducted successful warhead flight trials of the indigenous Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan. Describing the missile and warhead performance as “remarkable,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted the achievement in a statement. Designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the MPATGM weapon system underwent field evaluations in various flight configurations to demonstrate its technological prowess. Comprising the MPATGM, Launcher, Target Acquisition System, and Fire Control Unit, the system aimed to validate its capabilities under different scenarios. According to an MoD official, numerous missile firing trials…

Engaging in balance training, regardless of age, can yield numerous benefits such as memory improvement and injury prevention. These activities contribute to better spatial cognition, particularly beneficial for athletes, while enhancing postural control, a crucial aspect for sports performance. Incorporating yoga balance poses into daily routines can effectively address these needs. A study in the Slovenian Journal of Public Health demonstrated the positive impact of daily yoga practice on balance among older adults. Yoga, being predominantly performed barefoot and involving standing poses, promotes heightened awareness of foot positioning and weight distribution. This attention to the feet serves as a foundation…

A year following India’s surpassing of China as the world’s most populous nation, its rapid economic growth and increasing global significance position it as an emerging superpower of considerable importance to both the United States and the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged in a dialogue with Newsweek, discussing topics ranging from India’s economic advancements under his leadership to its relations with China, environmental concerns, and criticisms regarding press freedom and minority inclusion. Modi emphasized his government’s commitment to fulfilling promises and fostering inclusive growth through programs like “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” (Together, for everyone’s…

Aroh Barjatiya, an Indian American scientist, led a NASA mission studying the April 8 solar eclipse’s impact on Earth’s Ionosphere, the upper atmosphere. As a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, Barjatiya oversaw the launch of three sounding rockets from Wallops Island, Virginia, during the eclipse. In a LinkedIn post, Barjatiya expressed gratitude for the successful launches and highlighted the collaboration between researchers, students, and NASA. The APEP Eclipse Rocket Campaign, involving six complex rocket missions in six months, yielded a wealth of data for analysis. Barjatiya’s research interests range from small satellites to spacecraft charging, and he is…

India’s healthcare sector has experienced a remarkable transformation, driven by significant investments in infrastructure development. The Union Health Ministry’s allocation of approximately $12.3 billion in the interim Budget for 2024-2025 marks a 12.59 per cent increase, highlighting the government’s emphasis on healthcare expenditure. As World Health Day approaches, India celebrates key advancements in its healthcare domain, focusing on infrastructure enhancement, access to quality care, and the implementation of transformative initiatives. Since 2016, India’s healthcare industry has demonstrated impressive growth, boasting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 22 per cent. The hospital market in India, valued at around $13.3…

The space agency has announced the leadership of the mission called Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path (APEP), led by Aroh Barjatya, which aims to investigate the impact of sudden sunlight reduction on the upper atmosphere. During the annular solar eclipse on October 14, observers will witness a significant decrease in sunlight, resulting in the sun appearing as a bright “ring of fire” as it is partially obscured by the moon. The ionosphere, located approximately 50 miles above the Earth’s surface, experiences a surge in electrical activity during such events, as the sun’s UV rays ionize atoms, creating a layer…

India aims to establish its first privately managed Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by 2029-30, according to the Chief Executive of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd. (ISPRL). This initiative grants the operator full autonomy to trade all stored oil, mirroring the model seen in countries like Japan and South Korea, where private lessees, predominantly oil majors, oversee crude trading. Previously, India allowed only partial commercialization of its existing three SPRs in southern India, with a combined capacity of 36.7 million barrels. The expansion plan entails the construction of two new SPRs: an 18.3-million-barrel cavern in Padur, southern Karnataka state, and a…

The Indian Air Force (IAF) announced on Wednesday the acquisition of its first indigenously designed and developed Crash Fire Tender (CFT), marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense manufacturing capabilities. Manufactured by an Indian MSME firm based in Noida, the CFT delivery comes under a contract valued at Rs 291 crore. Despite challenges posed by disruptions in the global supply chain, the Indian manufacturer ensured the timely delivery of the CFT within 14 months of contract signing, as highlighted by the IAF’s social media post. The IAF’s commitment to supporting indigenous defense manufacturing is underscored by its ongoing efforts…

In the annals of history, the names of exceptional individuals shine like beacons, illuminating paths of inspiration and hope for generations to come. Dr. Kiran Patel, a renowned cardiologist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is undeniably one such luminary, whose life story is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and unwavering determination. The Early Years and Entrepreneurial Spirit Born to Indian parents into a world marked by racial segregation in Zambia, Dr. Kiran Patel’s journey began amidst challenges that would shape his resilience and determination. Growing up in an environment where educational opportunities were scarce for non-whites, young Kiran…