News Headline
Arianespace launches GSAT-30 successfully
MUMBAI: In the early hours of 17 January 2.35 am IST, Arianespace the commercial arm of the European Space Agency, successfully and flawlessly lifted off its two payloads Eutelsat Konnect and ISRO's GSAT-30, into space from the spaceport of Kourou, French Guiana using its Ariane 5 rocket.
The 51.04 meter tall vehicle used for Arianespace’s VA251 flight had a mass of 780 tonnes and utilised 2.9 million tonnes of thrust from its solid fuel boosters and core engine as it powered its way through the earth’s atmosphere. It broke the sound barrier and was travelling at Mach 1 one minute into the launch.
Almost two tonnes of fuel propellant were burnt per second, taking the rocket on its upward trajectory 70 km above earth in two minutes. Following this, the boosters fell away, with the Vulcan engine now kicking in taking the rocket higher still. Six minutes later this too detached, and the upper stage HM7B engine lit up, keeping the payloads going for another 17 minutes.
28 minutes or so into the flight, and Eutelsat Konnect which is an electric satellite, was separated and placed in orbit 1000 km above the earth’s surface above Africa.
10 minutes later it was the turn of the Indian satellite to be successfully separated to the loud cheers of all present in the control station at the spaceport near south America.
The satellite will now be in the hands of ISRO scientists who will finally take it to its geostationary orbital location over the next month or so.
GSAT 30 is set to replace Insat4A and provide DTH and telecommunications services through the 12 C band and 12 Ku band transponders it has on board.
UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) director P Kunhikrishnan director who was present in Kouru during the launch was evidently happy at the flawless deployment of the satellite into space by Arianespace. Said he: “Isro has opened 2020 successfully with the launch of GSAT-30 by Arianespace; we did the same with GSAT 31 and Arianespace in 2019 as well. GSAT-30 joins the 18 satellite stream of ISRO. What is great, that the entire ISRO team put together the satellite in less than a year.”
He specifically complimented the efforts of GSAT-30 project director V Ramanathan and his team.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
