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Insat-3A placed in geostationary orbit
MUMBAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) next generation multi-purpose Insat-3A satellite is now in its geostationary orbit.
In the third and final stage of orbit-raising operation conducted today at 09:39 am IST from Master Control Facility (MCF), Hassan, Insat-3A has been placed in its geostationary orbit (GSO). The manoeuvre was completed by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) on board the satellite for a duration of 3 minutes and 41 seconds.
The satellite has achieved an orbital period of 23 hours and 48 minutes and is continuously visible to the MCF, Hassan, ISRO has reported. Insat-3A is now moving towards its geostationary orbital slot with the planned drift rate of 2 degree per day. It is expected to reach its orbital slot of 93.5 degree East Longitude in the next five days.
The LAM, which was used to conduct Insat-3A orbit raising manoeuvres, has performed well. It enabled taking the satellite from its geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) (860 km perigee and 36,000 km apogee with an orbital inclination of 2 degree with respect to the equatorial plane) to its present 36,000 km circular orbit with zero degree inclination. The LAM was fired for a total duration of 130 minutes and 23 seconds in three phases on 11 April, 12 April and 14 April. A total velocity of 1.411 km per second was added by LAM at the Apogee point of the orbit to take the satellite from GTO to GSO.
The deployment of the solar array and the antenna is planned for tomorrow. All subsystems on the satellite are working normally.
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.
