New Delhi, Sep 9: India has achieved nine major world records in space missions and is soon set to add about 8-10 more, said Chairman V. Narayanan here on Tuesday. Chandrayan series 1, 2, and 3, Mars Orbiter Mission, and cryogenic engine technology are among the nine major world records achieved since 2008, Narayanan said, while addressing the All-India Management Convention’s 52nd National Management Convention.

In 2008, India became the first country with the Chandrayan-1 mission to discover water molecules on the lunar surface, sub-surface, and exosphere, Narayanan said. It was later confirmed by NASA’s Sofia Observatory.

With the Mars Orbiter Mission (2014), India became the first to ace a mission to the Red Planet on its first attempt. In 2017, the PSLV-C37 made history by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.

“With the Chandrayan-2 mission in 2019, India has the best camera (the orbiter high-resolution camera) in the Moon’s orbit,” Narayanan said. “Chandrayaan 3 on August 23, 2023, created a historical day, which made India the first country to land a spacecraft near the lunar South Pole”. “Chandrayaan 3 also achieved the first in situ measurement of lunar surface and the near-surface environment in the Moon’s Southern Polar region,” the Chairman said.

Further, between December 2014 and June 2017, India achieved three world records in LVM3 cryogenic stage development. “The development, qualification, and 1st flight was achieved with only three engines as against the world record of four-11 engines,” the ISRO chief said.

The maiden flight of LVM3 with cryogenic stage was achieved in 28 months by ISRO as against 37 months to 108 months by other countries, he noted. ISRO aced the hot stage test in the shortest period — just 34 days — as compared to other countries, with 64 days to 10 months. “8-10 more world records are planned,” Narayanan said.

Speaking on the frugal expenditure of these missions, ISRO chief said: “Because we know we are very sensitive on cost, every test we authorise after thoroughly analysing and discussing. And this sensitivity is the reason for reducing the launch cost”.

He also highlighted other achievements, such as over 4,000 rockets from Indian soil and 133 satellites launched by ISRO. On the role of ISRO in transforming India’s economy and security, Narayanan highlighted how ISRO is strengthening India’s technological edge, boosting localisation and technology transfer and driving space entrepreneurship to position the country as a global space leader.

“I believe the entire journey of our space programme, from the era of bullock carts and bicycles to today, is remarkable. By 2040, we aim to land a man on the Moon, where, placing the Indian flag, he will proclaim that India is on its path to becoming a developed nation. This is the message we aspire to convey through this historic milestone,” he said.

IANS

New Delhi/Kathmandu, Sep 9: India on Tuesday advised its citizens to defer their travelling plans to Nepal until the situation stabilises in the neighbouring country following the death of 19 people in widespread protests which also resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.

“In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution,” read an advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) late Tuesday afternoon.

“They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. In case of any assistance required, please call the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, on the helpline numbers,” the MEA added.

Earlier in the day, the Indian government stated that it is closely monitoring the developments in Nepal since yesterday and are deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased. We also wish speedy recovery for those who were injured. As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue,” read a statement issued by the MEA.

It added: “We have also taken note that authorities have imposed curfew in Kathmandu and several other cities of Nepal. Indian nationals in Nepal are advised to exercise caution and adhere to the steps and guidelines issued by the Nepali authorities.”

Meanwhile, faced with intense pressure from Gen-Z protests, Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned from his post on Tuesday. Oli submitted his resignation letter to President Ram Chandra Poudel, citing the abnormal situation in the country as protests intensified against his rule throughout the country.

Oli was elected Prime Minister on July 14, 2024, as per a consensus reached with Nepali Congress, the largest party in the parliament. As protests intensified on the second day following the killing of 19 protestors on Monday, the ruling coalition appeared to have fractured one after another with ministers particularly belonging to Nepali Congress resigning and putting further pressure on the government to quit.

General Secretaries of ruling Nepali Congress, Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma had earlier urged Prime Minister Oli to resign and pave the way forward. Thapa and Sharma said in a statement that the relevance of the seven-point agreement reached between the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) and Congress during the formation of the government was no longer valid.

It is not immediately clear what course Nepal’s politics would take now as all the lawmakers from the fourth largest party Rastriya Swatantra Party also resigned in masses demanding an interim government.

Enraged by the killing of so many people during the first day of the protests organised by the Gen-Z demanding accountability for corruption and social media ban, protestors throughout the country started to attack houses of leaders and government buildings.

On Tuesday, the protestors stormed into the parliament building at Baneshwor in Kathmandu and set the building on fire. The protestors had made unsuccessful attempts to damage the building even on Monday which led to strong police response leading to the death of several people.

They also entered the Singh Durbar, the main administrative centre of the Nepal government and torched the main gate. The party headquarters of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) or CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress in the Kathmandu Valley were also defaced and set on fire.

Torching and vandalism in the government offices in many parts of the country have also been reported by the local media. Similar cases of vandalism and torching were also reported in several government offices of the nation.

After Home Minister and Agriculture Minister, Minister for Health and Population Pradip Poudel and Minister for Youth and Sports Teju Lal Chaudhary also announced their resignation from their respective positions, expressing regret over the use of force against the Gen-Z protestors.

Videos of the torching of Prime Minister Oli’s house at Balakot in Kathmandu’s Bhaktapur also went viral on social media. The protestors also forcefully entered Singh Durbar, the main administrative centre of the government.

IANS

Kathmandu, Sep 9:  Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has called an all-party meeting for Tuesday evening after the situation in the country worsened following violent demonstrations that left 19 people dead and hundreds injured.

Authorities reimposed curfew across the Kathmandu Valley after fresh tensions erupted on Tuesday. However, hundreds of demonstrators marched towards the Parliament, defying security restrictions. What began as a peaceful Gen Z movement against alleged corruption and the government’s ban on social media turned into violent clashes with security forces, leading to 19 deaths.

On Tuesday, protests continued as people expressed outrage over the deaths caused by police firing the previous day. Crowds pelted stones at police, torched a traffic police booth, and attempted to storm into sensitive areas. Security personnel responded with tear gas to push back the protesters.

Local media reported that protesters also targeted the residences of key political leaders. According to the leading Nepalese daily, The Kathmandu Post, demonstrators set fire to the house of Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, hurled stones at the residence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, and attacked the house of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

They also targeted Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Biswo Paudel’s home. Protesters attempted to attack the residence of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilkantha but were stopped by security personnel.

They also pelted stones at the home of opposition leader and CPN-MC chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Demonstrations further spread to various districts, where residences of chief ministers, provincial ministers, and other leaders came under attack despite tighter security arrangements.

Amid the spiralling unrest, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned from his post after 19 people were killed in the violent crackdown. The government, without issuing any formal notification, also lifted its controversial ban on social media, which had triggered the youth-led protests in the first place.

resignation followed on Tuesday, when Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ram Nath Adhikari stepped down, citing the state’s mishandling of the crisis. Sporadic protests continued in different parts of Kathmandu Valley, prompting local administrations to enforce curfews and ban gatherings as the political crisis deepened.

IANS