GECs
Insat 4A placed in near-geosynchronous orbit
MUMBAI: Insat 4A telecommunications satellite has been successfully placed in near-geosynchronous orbit by Indian space scientists. The deployment of solar panels and two antennas have been completed.
The spacecraft has been placed in near-Geosynchronous orbit in the third and final orbit-raising operation conducted yesterday from the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka.
The Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) on board the satellite was fired for a duration of five minutes 45 seconds to enable it to achieve an orbital period of 23 hours and 54 minutes.
The satellite is presently located at 78.1 deg E and is drifting towards its final orbital position of 83 deg E. The satellite would be arrested at 81.5 degree E to carry out in-orbit testing of the payloads.
The satellite had about 1,690 kg of propellant at the time of its launch on board an Ariane rocket from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana, and 1,154 kg of propellant was used for three orbit-raising manoeuvres.
The remaining 536 kg of propellant available in the satellite is sufficient for maintaining the satellite orbit and orientation for its designed life of 12 years.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
