GECs
Isro unveils new solid propellant motor for PSLV
BANGALORE: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has today successfully ground tested an improved version of the solid propellant strap on motor for PSLV.
The new version, PSOM-XL, with a length of 13.5 m, has the capacity to carry 12.4 tonne. PSLV used to employ six solid propellant strap-on motors, each carrying 9 tonne of propellant.
PSOM-XL will improve the capability of PSLV from the present 1450 kg to 1600 kg and will be employed in future PSLV flights including for launching Chandrayaan-1 and the microwave remote sensing satellite, RISAT.
According to an official release, the new motor, PSOM-XL, was static tested today at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.
The motor developed a peak chamber pressure of 4.16 MPa and burned for a duration of 58 seconds in the ground test conducted today. The performance of the new motor, developed by Isro’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram, was as per the prediction.
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.
