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Launch Satellite for benefit of SAARC countries: Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Indian Space Research Organisatinon to develop a satellite that India can gift to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region.
He asked ISRO to expand navigation system to all of south Asia.
Speaking at Sriharikota spaceport, around 100 km from Chennai, after witnessing the launch of PSLV C23, Modi said, “India’s space programme is driven by a vision of service to humanity. Not by a desire of power.”
He added that the country must share the fruits of its technological advancements with those who do not enjoy the same – the developing world and India’s neighbours in particular.
India is already sharing disaster management data with over 30 countries and provides benefits of telemedicines to Afghanistan and African countries. “But we must do more,” said the Prime Minister.
Earlier, Modi saw the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C23 which successfully lifted off from the first launch pad of Sriharikota space station at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
The launch vehicle PSLV-C23, with a height of 44.4 metres and a vehicle lift-off mass of 230 tonne, is carrying SPOT-7, a 714 kg, French earth observing satellite as the main payload, which will be injected into a 655 km Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). Other satellites include 14 kg AISAT of Germany, NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) & NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg and the 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
PSLV has had 26 consecutive successful flights till date. The PSLV-C23 will be the tenth flight of PSLV in “core-alone” configuration, which means a configuration without the use of solid strap-on motors.
After an estimated time of 20 minutes, ISRO’s workhorse PSLV separated all five satellites — one by one into their intended orbit.
During his first visit to the facility, the Prime Minister took a tour of the facilities, including the launch pad. He was also briefed by ISRO scientists and its Chairman K Radhakrishnan.
NLS 7.1 and NLS 7.2 are from the University of Toronto, Institute of Aerospace Studies/ Space Flight Laboratory. Canada.
Both payloads would fly in precise formation using differential GPS with centimeter-level accurate position control system.
VELOX-1 from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore is a technology demonstrator for design of image sensor, MEMS-based attitude determination and control system and inter-satellite RF link.
These five satellites are being launched under commercial arrangements that ANTRIX, ISRO’s commercial arm, has entered into with the respective foreign agencies.
Isro earlier delayed the launch by three minutes due to the threat of space debris getting into the way of the satellites. The PSLV C23 lifted off from the spaceport at 9.52 am on Monday instead of 9.49 am as decided when the launch plan was announced.
One of the debris objects could have come as near as 40 metres from the spacecraft and by delaying the launch ISRO wanted to avoid the objects by thousands of kilometres as debris move at a velocity of several kilometres per second, said Isro officials.
A report quoting experts stated that the debris from the 2011 collision of a US satellite and a Russian satellite were found at altitudes above 600 km.
Until now, the largest number of foreign satellites launched by PSLV was from Germany. In the first launch of satellites of other countries, PSLV-C2 has launched the German satellite with a mass of 45 Kilogram, along with a KITSAT-3 with 110 Kg mass were the payloads. Including this, till April, 2014, eight satellites of Germany reached their destination in space through the launch vehicle of Isro. Canada has sent five satellites till April, 2014 through PSLV while Japan has sent three satellites using the service.
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.
