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Bangalore hosts India-US civil space cooperation meet
BANGALORE: The India-US Joint Working Group (JWG) on Civil Space Cooperation was held in Bangalore ay Isro headquarters during 29 June to 30 June. JWG had been constituted as a follow up to the India-United States Conference on Space Science, Applications and Commerce.
The conference discussed ways to explore the potential and possibility of cooperation in earth observation, satellite communication, satellite navigation and its application, space science, natural hazards research and disaster management support, and education and training in space.
ISRO Satellite Centre space commission member and ISRO Satellite Centre director Dr. P S Goel, and principal deputy assistant secretary of State, Washington, Anthony F. Rock
co-chaired the JWG meeting, which was inaugurated by Isro chairman G Madhavan Nair.
In all, 25 US delegates representing Department of State, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, US Geological Survey, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, universities and industry attended the meeting.
Senior officials of India’s Department of Space, Ministry of External Affairs, ANTRIX Corporation and other Government of India Departments/ Agencies concerned with applications of space technology also took part in the meeting.
The two delegations agreed that India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission offers an outstanding opportunity to begin cooperation in space exploration.
Cooperation on this mission will further both countries’ goals in space. Nasa believes that its participation in this program will be an important contribution to the Vision for U.S. Space Exploration announced by the President of the United States in January 2004.
The JWG noted that significant progress has been made in the U.S. GPS, the U.S. Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and the Indian GAGAN space-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Systems (PNTS). Both sides have a shared interest in promoting interoperability among existing and future civil space based PNTS to create a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and are ready for expanded bilateral cooperation in this area.
The JWG expressed the intent to collaborate on a variety of earth observation projects. It was agreed to investigate the comparability and complementarity of data from U.S. Landsat and Indian IRS satellites and establishing an earth reception station in India for the U.S. National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS).
The Joint Working Group meeting has given further impetus towards strengthening and expanding the cooperation between India and the United States in the area of space exploration as envisaged in the June 2004 Conference.
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.
