Monday, January 6, 2025

Human Remains Found Inside Fridge Of Abandoned House In Kerala

Human remains, including a skull and bones, were found inside an abandoned house near Chottanikkara in Ernakulam district on Monday, police said.

The remains were found stored in a fridge within the house, which has reportedly remained unoccupied for two decades.

The property, situated on an expansive private estate, had been locked and neglected throughout this period.

Police launched an inspection of the house following a tip-off received at the Chottanikkara police station.

The discovery was made during their search of the premises.

Police said they have launched a detailed investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the case.



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भारत से टकराव, जस्टिन ट्रूडो का पतन! कनाडाई PM के इस्तीफे की 5 बड़ी वजह

कनाडा के प्रधानमंत्री जस्टिन ट्रूडो ने पार्टी और विपक्ष के दबाव में इस्तीफा देने का फैसला किया। भारत-विवाद, गिरती अर्थव्यवस्था, और पार्टी में असंतोष ने उनकी स्थिति कमजोर कर दी थी। पूर्व वित्त मंत्री क्रिस्टिया फ्रीलैंड के इस्तीफे के बाद से उनका विरोध तेज हो गया था।

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Sunday, January 5, 2025

Kerala MLA PV Anvar Arrested In Forest Office Attack Case

Nilambur legislator PV Anvar was arrested on Sunday for allegedly vandalising the District Forest Office (DFO) following a protest over the death of a tribal man in an elephant attack in this north Kerala district, police said.

Earlier in the day, PV Anvar, an independent MLA, criticised the state government and the forest department over the death of the tribal man Mani, who was trampled by a wild elephant on Saturday evening.

The workers of the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), a social collective led by the MLA, staged a protest in front of the forest office alleging negligence by wildlife personnel in addressing man-animal conflicts in the area. Nearly 10 of them trespassed into the North DFO office and vandalised the office room.

Nilambur police booked PV Anvar and 10 others over the incident under various sections of the BNS and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.



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Cold Wave in MP: ग्वालियर में घने कोहरे के साथ शीतलहर, मप्र में अगले 48 घंटों में कड़ाके की ठंड

मध्य प्रदेश में पश्चिमी विक्षोभ और द्रोणिका के प्रभाव से बादल छाए हैं, जिससे रात का तापमान बढ़ा है। मंडला में न्यूनतम तापमान 4°C दर्ज हुआ। सात जनवरी से उत्तरी हवाओं के प्रभाव से ठंड बढ़ने की संभावना है। घना कोहरा ग्वालियर, भिंड और मुरैना में छाया रहा।

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Saturday, January 4, 2025

Royal Nanny's Stepson Among Those Killed In New Orleans Attack

King Charles III was on Saturday said to be "deeply saddened" after police said a British relative of his sons' former nanny was among the victims of the deadly truck-ramming attack in New Orleans.

Edward Pettifer, 31, who died in the atrocity, was the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny Tiggy Pettifer.

It was "understood the King was... deeply saddened, and had been in touch with the family to share personal condolences", the UK's Press Association news agency said in a report.

Heir to the throne Prince William said he and his wife Catherine had also been "shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer".

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack," he wrote on the couple's Kensington Palace social media account.

Pettifer's half-brother Tom is one of William's godsons and was a page boy at his wedding to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, in 2011.

In 1993, Charles employed Tiggy Legge-Bourke, now Pettifer, whose family had longstanding links to the royals, as a nanny for William and his younger brother Harry after his separation from their mother, Princess Diana.

"The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed's death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and a friend to so many. We will all miss him terribly," the Pettifer family said in a statement.

On New Year's Day a US army veteran, who the FBI says pledged loyalty to the Islamic State jihadist group, used a pickup truck to kill and wound revellers in New Orleans's crowded French Quarter, before being killed by police.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was "extremely saddened" to learn a British man had been among those killed in the attack.

"We are supporting his family and stand united with the US against terror threats," he wrote on X.



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Friday, January 3, 2025

India Sends 1st Batch Of Humanitarian Aid To Bolivia To Combat Forest Fires

India on Friday dispatched the first batch of humanitarian assistance to Bolivia to support the country's efforts in tackling devastating forest fires.

In a post X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the details of the consignment which includes firefighting gear, first-aid kits, medicines, and other essential utilities.

"India sends the first tranche of humanitarian assistance to Bolivia to support tackling of forest fires. The consignment consisting of fire fighting gears, first-aid kit, medicines and other utilities has departed for Bolivia," Jaiswal said on X.

"Overall, 16 tons of fire-fighting equipment and related relief material will be sent. The assistance would also help in tackling environmental crisis and health issues caused by forest fires," he added.

Last year, Bolivia's Defence Ministry declared a state of national emergency on September 7, 2024, in response to the widespread and intense forest fires sweeping the country.

Earlier, India has sent humanitarian assistance consignment to Lesotho compromising of 1000 metric tonnes of rice to help in addressing the food security and nutritional requirements of people in Lesotho.

In a post on X, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "India sends humanitarian assistance to Lesotho. A consignment of 1000 MT rice, today departed from Nhava Sheva Port for Lesotho. The consignment will help in addressing food security and nutritional requirements of the friendly people of Lesotho."

Last year in November, India had sent 15 tons of humanitarian aid to Nigeria as the country reels under devastating floods.

The details of the humanitarian assistance were shared by the Ministry of External Affairs in a post on the social media platform, X.

"In keeping with our commitment to humanitarian assistance for the people of Nigeria, India sent 15 tons of the total 75 tons of aid to Nigeria in the wake of the devastating floods in the country.

The post also noted, "The aid comprises of food items, sleeping mats, blankets, water purification supplies etc. and will support the rehabilitation efforts in the region".

India and Nigeria enjoy warm, friendly, and deep-rooted bilateral relations.



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Thursday, January 2, 2025

US Appeals Court Blocks Biden Administration's Net Neutrality Rules

A US appeals court on Tuesday ruled the Federal Communications Commission did not have the legal authority to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules.

A three-judge panel of the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the FCC lacked authority to reinstate the rules initially implemented in 2015 by the agency under Democratic former President Barack Obama but then repealed by the commission in 2017 under Republican former President Donald Trump.



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केंद्रीय मंत्री धर्मेंद्र प्रधान मप्र के चुनाव अधिकारी नियुक्त, प्रदेश अध्यक्ष का करेंगे चयन

मध्य प्रदेश से राज्य सभा रहने के कारण उनका प्रदेश से जुड़ाव रहा है।

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Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Donald Trump Said Goodbye To His Legal Cases But Issues Have Not Left The Horizon

What could have proven luckier for Donald Trump than getting elected as the president of the United States? Because of his election win, federal prosecutions against him have already been dismissed, his criminal cases are at risk of facing the same fate and his state cases have been stalled.

This time last year, he was reeling under the pressure of trials that could put him behind bars for years, moreover even have him shell out millions of dollars.

However, sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.

Steven Cheung, Trump's spokesperson said that since the election was a "mandate" from the people, they "demanded an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all the Witch Hunts against him. We look forward to uniting our country as President Trump Makes America Great Again."

As per NBC, here are a few court cases looking Donald Trump in the eye:

Hush money case

Trump was convicted in a New York state court in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records. These records were related to a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels by Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen during the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, which Trump denies.

Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and was initially set to be sentenced in July. However, the sentencing was delayed due to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that established a new standard for presidential immunity. Trump's attorneys argued that this ruling meant the indictment and conviction should be dismissed, as they partly relied on evidence from Trump's time in office. Judge Juan Merchan rejected this argument in a December 16 ruling.

The judge also indicated that sentencing Trump after he takes office might not be possible. This decision was based on a Justice Department memo and the Supreme Court ruling, which emphasise the need for a sitting President to carry out their duties without interference from criminal proceedings. The Manhattan district attorney's office argues that Trump could be sentenced after his term in office ends. However, Trump's attorneys oppose this, stating that having a pending sentencing would unfairly impact Trump's presidency.

Georgia election interference case

Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants were indicted in August 2023 by the Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney's office. The charges allege conspiracy to illegally overturn Trump's 2020 election loss to Joe Biden in the state. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case stalled due to allegations of conflict of interest involving District Attorney Fani Willis. Trump and some co-defendants argued Willis should be disqualified due to her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor overseeing the case. A Georgia appeals court ruled in Trump's favour on December 19, disqualifying Willis and her office from the case.

Willis' office is appealing the ruling, which may take several months. Even if successful, the trial would need to wait until Trump is out of office, as it's expected to take months. Alternatively, the case could be referred to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia to find a new prosecutor.

The council's executive director, Pete Skandalakis, stated that a new prosecutor could utilise existing investigative work, conduct additional investigations, and choose to use or discard parts of Willis' indictment.

Civil fraud verdict

A major financial threat is looming over President-elect Trump, stemming from a $350 million judgment made by a New York judge in February last year. The judge found Trump and his company guilty of years of fraudulent conduct, which Trump has denied and appealed. The judgment has now ballooned to over $500 million with interest, with Trump personally liable for nearly $489 million.

During a September hearing, three out of five judges on the state Appellate Division panel expressed concerns that the financial penalty might be excessive, but a ruling has yet to be made. Following the November election, Trump's attorney, John Sauer, requested that the case be voluntarily dismissed to promote "unity" and avoid interfering with Trump's presidential duties. However, the office of Attorney General Letitia James declined the request.

E. Jean Carroll verdicts

Writer E. Jean Carroll has got two significant civil verdicts against Trump in a New York federal court over the past two years. In 2023, Trump was ordered to pay $5 million after being found liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. Additionally, a separate verdict awarded Carroll $83 million in damages for defamation by Trump while he was president.

Trump has denied all allegations and appealed both verdicts to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Recently, the appeals court rejected Trump's appeal of the $5 million verdict, with his spokesperson stating that the decision will be further appealed.

The appeal for the $83 million verdict is still pending, with Carroll's attorneys preparing to counter Trump's claim that the Supreme Court's July immunity ruling exempts him from liability for comments made while in office.

Jan. 6 lawsuits

Donald Trump is no longer facing a criminal federal election interference case related to the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot, but he still has to contend with eight civil suits. These suits were filed by law enforcement personnel who were injured during the attack, as well as some Democratic members of Congress.

Trump's defence is that his actions are protected by presidential immunity. Both sides will be submitting filings on this issue in the coming months. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who is presiding over the case, plans to rule on the presidential immunity issue by summer, according to a court filing.

Central Park Five

Donald Trump is facing a defamation lawsuit from the "Exonerated Five" - Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise. The five men are suing Trump over remarks he made during a presidential debate with Kamala Harris, where he falsely claimed they pleaded guilty to the assault and rape of a woman in Central Park in 1989. Trump also incorrectly stated that the victim had died.

The Exonerated Five, who were aged 14-16 at the time of the attack, were coerced into making false confessions and later exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence linked another man to the crime. Trump has moved to dismiss the suit, arguing that his remarks were "substantially true" and protected as political speech. However, the five men claim they suffered severe emotional distress and reputational harm due to Trump's statements and are asking the judge to deny his motion to dismiss.
 



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Iran Summons Saudi Envoy Over Execution Of Citizens: Foreign Ministry

Iran summoned the Saudi ambassador on Wednesday to protest Riyadh's execution of six of its citizens for drug trafficking, the foreign ministry said.

"Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Tehran was summoned," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Tehran conveyed its "strong protest" against Riyadh's action, which it described as "unacceptable" and a violation of "the rules and norms of international law". 



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Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Aaj Ka Rashifal 01 January 2025: साल के पहले दिन इन राशियों की खुलेगी किस्मत, कारोबार में मिलेगी सफलता

1 जनवरी 2025 का दिन विभिन्न राशियों के लिए मिश्रित रहेगा। कुछ राशियों के लिए यह दिन आर्थिक लाभ, प्रेम, और पारिवारिक सुख देने वाला रहेगा, वहीं कुछ राशियों को सावधान रहने की जरूरत है। इस दिन अपने कार्यों और निर्णयों को सोच-समझकर करें, ताकि कोई अप्रत्याशित समस्या न उत्पन्न हो।

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Potassium Rich Foods: केले से भी ज्यादा पोटेशियम होता है इन फूड्स में, रोजाना खाने से दिल रहेगा दुरुस्त

पोटेशियम की कमी से शरीर में कई तरह के लक्षण दिखने लगते हैं। इनमें कमजोरी महसूस होना, मांसपेशियों में दर्द, हार्ट बीट का इंररेगुलर होना, बीपी बढ़ना, नसों का सुन्न होना आदि शामिल हैं। यदि आप भी इन परेशानियों से जूझ रहे हैं, तो खाने में इन चीजों को करें शामिल।

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NIA To Probe Suspected Kuki Militant 'Tiger' Who Claimed Attack On CRPF, Burned Homes In Manipur

A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has accepted evidence submitted by the NIA of a suspected Kuki militant commander saying he and his men attacked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and set fire to homes in Manipur.

The NIA told the court that a viral video on a YouTube channel shows a man "suspected to be a Kuki militant called 'Tiger', a commander of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), claiming he and his men attacked CRPF and burnt down houses on November 11."

The NIA investigating a suspected Kuki militant of the KNF-P also raises questions over possible violation of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement. 

Three big escalations happened in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on November 11 - first, six of a family from the Meitei community were kidnapped and killed in Jiribam district by suspects who the Manipur government in a cabinet statement called "Kuki militants"; second, 10 others - also identified as "Kuki militants" by the state government - were shot dead in an encounter with the Central Reserve Police Force in the same district, and third, firing from the hills towards Imphal West District's Kangchup and Koutruk just hours after the Jiribam encounter left two people injured.

The court in its order accepting the NIA evidence said the anti-terror agency downloaded the viral video of the suspected Kuki militant into a pen drive in the presence of two witnesses.

The NIA submitted the pen drive to the court in a sealed envelope under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that deals with electronic evidence.

NDTV has seen a copy of the court order.

The court said the pen drive has been returned to the NIA for further investigation.

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

About KNF-P

The 'P' in KNF-P means "president"; it is used to indicate KNF-P is the original KNF, hence the letter "president", the supreme. The KNF was founded in 1987. In 1994, KNF split into two factions i.e. KNF-MC led by SK Kipgen, and the original became KNF-P led by ST Thangboi Kipgen.

So, KNF is the KNF-P; the rest are its factions.

The KNF is a signatory to the controversial suspension of operations (SoO) agreement signed between nearly two dozen Kuki militant groups and the state and the centre. Under SoO, the militants are to stay at designated camps and their weapons kept in locked, monitored storage.

The Manipur government has been asking the joint monitoring group, which reviews the SoO agreement every year, to scrap it for good, over allegations that the SoO groups have been majorly involved in the Manipur violence from the beginning. The SoO agreement lapsed in February this year.

There are many villages of the Kuki tribes in the hills surrounding the Meitei-dominated valley. The clashes between the Meitei community and the nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have killed over 250 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

Meitei leaders have alleged the SoO groups have been working to strengthen themselves over the years by taking advantage of the ceasefire, until a time came to engineer a violent attack for a separate land. Geopolitical analysts have speculated the Kuki armed groups were used as mercenaries to fight Meitei and Naga militants operating in the India-Myanmar border.

Kuki-Zo civil society groups such as the ITLF and the CoTU, and their 10 MLAs have joined the call for a separate administration carved out of Manipur, a demand also made by the nearly two dozen militant groups that have signed the SoO agreement.

This single demand has brought the Kuki militant groups, the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, and the civil society groups on the same page.

The security forces have been trying to dismantle bunkers in the hills surrounding Imphal valley after several incidents of firing for the last few days.

Kuki protesters tried to stop the security forces from destroying the bunkers. Some protesters were injured when the security forces tried to disperse them.



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Welcome 2025: थर्टी फर्स्‍ट पर सैलानी और हनुवंतिया में हुई म्यूजिकल नाइट, पर्यटकों ने किया नए साल का स्‍वागत

मध्य प्रदेश के खंडवा जिले में स्थित ओंकारेश्वर बांध के बैक वाटर में हनुवंतिया और सैलानी टापू के आसपास अथाह जल व जंगल है। इससे यहां का कुदरती नजारा बहुत सुंदर और आकर्षक लगता है।

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Monday, December 30, 2024

Five Years On, WHO Urges China To Share Data On Covid Origins

The World Health Organization on Monday implored China to share data and access to help understand how Covid-19 began, five years on from the start of the pandemic that upended the planet.

Covid-19 killed millions of people, shredded economies and crippled health systems.

"We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative," the WHO said in a statement.

"Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics."

The WHO recounted how on December 31, 2019, its country office in China picked up a media statement from the health authorities in Wuhan concerning cases of "viral pneumonia" in the city.

"In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, Covid-19 came to shape our lives and our world," the UN health agency said.

"As we mark this milestone, let's take a moment to honour the lives changed and lost, recognise those who are suffering from Covid-19 and Long Covid, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from Covid-19 to build a healthier tomorrow."

'Same weaknesses'

Earlier this month, the WHO's Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the issue of whether the world was better prepared for the next pandemic than it was for Covid-19.

"The answer is yes, and no," he told a press conference.

"If the next pandemic arrived today, the world would still face some of the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities that gave Covid-19 a foothold five years ago.

"But the world has also learnt many of the painful lessons the pandemic taught us, and has taken significant steps to strengthen its defences against future epidemics and pandemics."

In December 2021, spooked by the devastation caused by Covid, countries decided to start drafting an accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The WHO's 194 member states negotiating the treaty have agreed on most of what it should include, but are stuck on the practicalities.

A key fault-line lies between Western nations with major pharmaceutical industry sectors and poorer countries wary of being sidelined when the next pandemic strikes.

While the outstanding issues are few, they include the heart of the agreement: the obligation to quickly share emerging pathogens, and then the pandemic-fighting benefits derived from them such as vaccines.

The deadline for the negotiations is May 2025.



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MP में चलेगी शीतलहर, एक जनवरी से कड़ाके की ठंड

प्रदेश में पश्चिमी विक्षोभ के बाद उत्तरी हवाओं के प्रभाव से ठिठुरन बढ़ी। टीकमगढ़ में सोमवार को सबसे कम 18 डिग्री सेल्सियस तापमान दर्ज हुआ। अधिकतर शहरों का दिन का तापमान 25 डिग्री से नीचे रहा। आगामी दिनों में रात का पारा और गिर सकता है, शीतलहर की संभावना है।

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भोपाल से दोस्तों के साथ पचमढ़ी घूमने गई MBBS छात्रा की संदिग्ध मौत

दोस्तों के साथ पचमढ़ी घूमने गई भोपाल की एमबीबीएस छात्रा की मौत हो गई। मौत के कारणों की पुष्टि पोस्टमार्टम रिपोर्ट से होगी। छात्रा भोपाल के मेडिकल कॉलेज में प्रथम वर्ष की छात्रा थी।

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Sunday, December 29, 2024

Man Dies In Police Station While Recording Statement, Family Alleges Murder

The death of a 35-year-old Dalit man inside a police station in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district triggered protests from his family, who alleged murder. The Congress, on Sunday, also slammed the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government for what they termed "jungle raj" in the state.

Mukesh Longre died on Saturday after being called to the Satwas police station here for questioning in a complaint submitted against him by a woman on December 26, Superintendent of Police Puneet Gehlot said.

"While inspector Ashish Rajput was reading his statement, Longre made a noose around his neck with a gamcha (towel), tied it to a window grill in the lock-up and began yanking his neck. Police stopped him and rushed him to a hospital where doctors declared him dead," the SP said.

"There is no case against him. He was just called to record his statement. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Nandani Uikey is conducting an inquiry into the death. The JMFC visited the spot this morning. The district magistrate has appointed three doctors to oversee the post-mortem process," Mr Gehlot added.

Mr Gehlot said inspector Ashish Rajput has been suspended, while all other procedures laid down under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as National Human Rights Commission guidelines are being followed fully.

"Some politicians have hijacked the issue, due to which his kin have refused to allow post mortem till the entire staff of the police station is suspended. This is an irrational demand. We have already suspended the inspector since the death took place while he was in charge," Mr Gehlot said.

Meanwhile, Longre's family alleged police demanded a bribe to lessen the severity of action against him in connection with the woman's complaint, adding the staff later told them he had died.

Amid a protest outside the police station that began on Saturday and continued on Sunday, Longre's relatives accused police of murdering him.

Attacking Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who also holds the home portfolio, the Congress held a protest outside Satwas police station on Sunday, which was attended by the party's state unit chief Jitu Patwari.

"Jungle raj is prevailing in MP. A Dalit man was murdered inside a police station. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav must take full responsibility for this incident," Mr Patwari said.

Mr Patwari's colleague and former Union minister Arun Yadav demanded suspension of the entire staff of Satwas police station.



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Saturday, December 28, 2024

Book Excerpt | How Manmohan Singh Helped India Beat China To Mars

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

(The following is an edited excerpt from Pallava Bagla and Subhadra Menon's book 'Reaching For The Stars: India's Journey to Mars and Beyond', published by Bloomsbury India

How India's maiden mission to Mars became 'Mangalyaan': Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's 2012 speech written in Urdu hid the answers.

Not many realise that it was Dr Singh who gave India its first inter-planetary voyage with one single point geo-political message: India should beat China and reach the Martian orbit ahead of the Dragon. An Asian space race unfolded and India won it hands down as, under Dr Singh's leadership, the mission was conceived and delivered in all of 18 months. India ran a Martian marathon as if sprinting for a hundred-metre dash.

Mangalyaan was publicly announced by Dr Singh from the magnificent ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2012.

Interestingly, when the Moon mission was being planned, Chandrayaan was also announced from the Red Fort by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was the prime minister in 2003.

Dr Singh, as it seemed, took the cue, delivering his speech that was actually written in Urdu. But who could match the visionary politician Vajpayee, who made sure to call the Moon mission Chandrayaan-1, whereas the bureaucrat in Manmohan Singh merely called it Mangalyaan, not thinking at all about any sequels. What's in a name, you might ask.

When the first budgetary clearances of Rs 125 crore were given for the Mars mission on March 16, 2012, during the 2012-13 budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, it was officially recorded - "Mars Orbiter Mission envisages launching an orbiter around Mars using the PSLV XL during the November 2013 launch opportunity. Mars Orbiter will be placed in an orbit of 500 x 80,000 km around Mars and will have a provision for carrying nearly 25 kg of scientific payload."

In what might be some 10 kg of documents running into thousands of pages, embedded in a book with orange covers called the Expenditure Budget, laced with tables and millions of figures, was a small annotation that announced this remarkable plan, giving financial sanction. "What a mangal announcement" was the observation on March 16, 2012, when one of the authors was in conversation with jubilant officials in the Prime Minister's Office, thinking about what name the mission would get. How India's maiden mission to the Moon was named Chandrayaan, and how this might perhaps become Mangalyaan was alluded to, and of course, some months later, in his speech from the Red Fort, then Prime Minister Dr Singh referred to the mission as Mangalyaan.

This was a deviation from his written speech that was made public in English but written in Urdu, and what Dr Singh read from, and that is why many people, who later reviewed the written English version questioned whether it was ever called Mangalyaan by the prime minister. This resulted in a small technicality that made ISRO formally stick to calling India's maiden mission to the red planet as the 'Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)'. It seems the Department of Space (DOS) officials had sent a list of names to the Minister of Space, a portfolio always held by the prime minister of India, to select one. As it happened, Dr Singh never returned that list giving his preference, and this led decision makers within the space community, for safety, to stick to referring to it as MOM.

This was in sharp contrast with how the Moon mission was named, when in 2003, a list of names was sent to Prime Minister Vajpayee. ISRO's preferred name was 'Somayaan', but astute officials around Vajpayee renamed it as 'Chandrayaan' and Sudheendra Kulkarni, the press advisor to the PM, told me (Pallava) that Vajpayee himself added, in his own handwriting, the suffix '1' after Chandrayaan, and said how a big country like India could make only one visit to the Moon.

This led decision-makers to use the informal names, MOM and Mangalyaan. Interestingly, after demonetisation in 2016, when new currency notes were introduced [by Prime Minister Narendra Modi], the image of Mangalyaan was printed on the Rs 2,000 currency note with Mangalyaan emblazoned below the image as an honour to ISRO. This was a remarkable tribute to the space community that aced the Mars launch and landing on the maiden attempt. India's tiger handsomely beat China by reaching the orbit of Mars ahead of the Chinese dragon.

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