Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Gopi Thotakura, an accomplished pilot, is poised to make history as the first Indian to journey to the edge of space aboard Blue Origin’s upcoming flight, NS-25. Alongside five other crew members, the Indian-American aviator will embark on this pioneering mission, although the precise dates are yet to be disclosed by Jeff Bezos’ space enterprise. Described by Blue Origin as a seasoned pilot and aviator with a lifelong passion for flight, Gopi’s credentials extend beyond commercial aviation. From mastering bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes to conquering gliders and hot air balloons, his diverse piloting experience is complemented by his role as…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded its GDP growth forecast for India in FY24 by 110 basis points to 7.8%, surpassing the National Statistical Office’s (NSO) estimate of 7.6%. Additionally, it revised the GDP growth projection for FY25 upward by 30 bps to 6.8% and maintained the forecast for FY26 at 6.5%. The IMF attributed these revisions to robust domestic demand and a growing working-age population. However, the IMF’s forecast for FY25 remains 20 bps lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) projection of 7%. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman suggested that GDP growth in FY24 might exceed 8%,…

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…