THE HEADLINES:
- Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla takes off for Axiom-4 Mission on board SpaceX Dragon spacecraft; first Indian in over four decades to be in space after Rakesh Sharma; Axiom-4 to dock with International Space Station at 4:30 PM tomorrow.
- In a message from space, Captain Shukla says, the mission is the beginning of India’s Human Space Programme.
- President Droupadi Murmu congratulates Captain Shukla for creating new milestone in space for India; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, he carries hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.
- Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas being observed across the country to pay tribute to those who sacrificed to save the democracy; Book to be lunched on PM Modi’s experience during Emergency.
- US President Donald Trump rejects report claiming Iran’s nuclear facility was not destroyed in American air strikes.
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In a historic moment for the country, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla took off to space today on the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla is first Indian in over four decades to be in space after Rakesh Sharma. The Mission was launched from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, United States at 12.01 pm Indian Standard Time today.
The crew on Axiom Mission is travelling to the International Space Station on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The mission is led by US’ Commander Peggy Whitson, with Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as mission pilot and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu and Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski as mission specialists. Captain Shukla is the second Indian astronaut travelling to space, four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made the cosmic journey as part of a Soviet mission in 1984.
The Indian Space Research Organisation has said, the Axiom-4 will dock with the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:30 PM IST tomorrow. More in this report:
“Once the SpaceX Dragon docks with the ISS, the astronauts will spend about two weeks on the space station, where they will conduct microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach events. The astronauts will carry out around 60 scientific studies from 31 countries, including several groundbreaking research projects led by ISRO. The launch of the mission, which was initially scheduled to take off on the 29th of May, was repeatedly delayed due to technical issues, weather conditions and leaks on the ISS. After a thorough review and resolution of the problems, today’s launch was cleared. This is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS under Axiom Space’s expanding programme. Sanyukta Yadav, News Desk.”
Group Captain Shukla has sent a message from space saying it is an amazing ride. He said this journey is not a beginning to the International Space Station but to India’s Human Space Programme.
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Captain Subhanshu Shukla will carry out seven exclusive microgravity experiments during his Mission on International Space Station. Details in this desk report:
“The seven experiments are Impact of Microgravity Radiation in ISS on Edible Microalgae; Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space; Survival, revival and reproduction of Bengaluru strain of Tardigrade in space condition, Effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity; Analyzing Human Interaction with Electronic Displays; Comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate; and Impact of Microgravity on Growth and Yield Parameters in Food Crop Seeds.
For Group Captain Shukla this will be an opportunity to emulate fellow Indian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma who flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3rd April 1984 as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Sharma spent seven days in space on board the Salyut 7 space station.
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To celebrate the historic occasion, Shubhanshu’s parents watched the live launch with students and teachers in Shubhanshu’s school in Lucknow. The school management arranged a ceremonial band and special decorations to welcome parents on this occasion. Here is a report…
“Lucknow’s Shubhanshu Shukla, who left for the International Space Station has not only made the country proud but has also given wings to the dreams of his family, teachers, and school children. There is an atmosphere of pride and happiness in Shubhanshu Shukla’s family. His mother, Asha Shukla, became emotional while sharing her feelings. She said that we cannot express our feelings in words. We are extremely happy, feeling very proud.
This moment of the Axiom-4 mission is not just a scientific achievement but also an emotional journey. Shubhanshu’s father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla said that this achievement is a matter of pride not just for Lucknow but for the entire country. This moment is very special for us. Our blessings are always with him. Shubhanshu Shukla, who considers Rakesh Sharma a mentor, is expected to play a vital role in ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, targeted for 2027. Om Awasthi, Akashvani News, Lucknow.”
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President Droupadi Murmu has said that as Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian’s journey into the stars. In a social media post, President Murmu said, Group Captain Shukla and his fellow astronauts prove the world is indeed one family – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. She conveyed best wishes for the success of the mission, which reflects the enduring partnership between NASA and ISRO.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the successful launch of the Space Mission in a social media post, Mr Modi said, the Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. The Prime Minister said, Group Captain Shukla carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Mr Modi wished him and other astronauts all the success.
Union Minister for State for Space Dr Jitendra Singh has congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he has embarked on the mission.
Speaking to Media in New Delhi, Dr Singh said, Subhanshu Shukla, is going to be the most crucial component of this entire mission.
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Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is being observed today. It serves as a reminder of what happened when the Constitution of India was trampled over on 25th June 1975. It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency.
A Report…..
“Opposition leaders, including Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, and others arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the emergency. As per the Shah Commission report, the Act was used extensively, and nearly 35 thousand people were detained under preventive detention without trial. Indian jails housed over two lakh 20 thousand prisoners against a capacity of one lakh 83 thousand. Among them, over one lakh 26 thousand were under-trial prisoners. Sharing his thoughts in the Mann Ki Baat programme of Akashvani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that people’s faith in democracy remained intact despite facing atrocities during the emergency.
Eminent Journalist Ram Bahadur Rai, who was jailed during emergency, spoke to Akashvani and shared about the atrocities committed during the period.
During the emergency, which lasted for around 21 months, Fundamental rights were suspended, preventive detentions increased, and restrictions were placed on the media. Constitutional amendments altered institutional powers. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that a nefarious attempt was made fifty years ago to strangle Indian democracy through the imposition of the Emergency. On the occasion of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas today, in a social media post, Mr Singh said those people who struggled and suffered hardships during the emergency have made immense contribution to keep democracy alive in India.
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In Punjab, a State-level programme was organised at Chandigarh today. The event was attended and addressed by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release a book ‘The Emergency Diaries-Years that forged a leader’ in New Delhi today. The book delves into the compelling role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then a young RSS Pracharak, played in the fight against Emergency.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi said that this book chronicles his journey during the Emergency years. The Prime Minister said that he was a young RSS Pracharak when the Emergency was imposed. Mr. Modi noted that the anti-Emergency movement was a learning experience for him.
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US President Donald Trump has rejected a report claiming that Iran’s nuclear facility was not destroyed. A recent intelligence report, disclosed by two American media outlets, has cast doubt on the Trump administration’s claim that the recent American airstrikes had totally destroyed Iran’s nuclear programme. In a Truth Social post today, the US President slammed both media outlets alleging that CNN and the New York Times have teamed up in an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history. He added that the nuclear sites in Iran are completely destroyed.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, in Qingdao, China, from today. In a social media post, Mr Singh said that during his visit, he will interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues.
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The benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading higher in the afternoon trade today, amid positive global cues. The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 702 points, to 82,757.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla takes off for Axiom-4 Mission on board SpaceX Dragon spacecraft; first Indian in over four decades to be in space after Rakesh Sharma; Axiom-4 to dock with International Space Station at 4:30 PM tomorrow.
- In a message from space, Captain Shukla says, the mission is the beginning of India’s Human Space Programme.
- President Droupadi Murmu congratulates Captain Shukla for creating new milestone in space for India; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, he carries hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.
- Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas being observed across the country to pay tribute to those who sacrificed to save the democracy; Book to be lunched on PM Modi’s experience during Emergency.
- US President Donald Trump rejects report claiming Iran’s nuclear facility was not destroyed in American air strikes.
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