Author: Samikhsya Bureau

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) The Financial Benchmarks India Private Limited (FBIL) on Monday fixed the reference rate at 70.8244 against the US Dollar up by 35.07 paise over the previous rate of 70.4737 .
The Euro was fixed 81.2469 up by 03.86 paise over its previous rate of 81.2083 .

The Pound was registered at 90.9640 ( 89.9155 ) and Yen at 65.50 (65.03) an FBIL release said.

Lucknow, Jan 14(UNI) Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav made a surprise visit to Uttar Pradesh capital and immediately dashed to the residence of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief to greet Ms Mayawati on her birthday and for sealing the Mahagathbandan in the state against BJP.

The meeting between the BSP chief and Mr Yadav lasted for a couple of hours on Sunday night.

After the meeting Mr Yadav, the BSP said, “Lalu Ji was targeted because he was against communal forces. The talks for alliance with RJD in Bihar will be held later.”

On the other hand, Mr Yadav said here on Monday , “I had extended warm Birthday greetings in advance to the person who deserves honor because of everything she has achieved in life.” He further said that elders teach us a lot when we grow up under their guidance.

“I wish many more years of happiness and success to Honourable Mayawati Ji. Happy Birthday,” he greeted Ms Mayawati who celebrates her 63rd birthday on Tuesday.

He expressed great admiration for Mayawati and said he could not have missed the opportunity to meet a leader like her. He further said that it had been Laluji’s dream to have an alliance consisting of Mayawati and Akhilesh.

“Mayawati ji is a senior leader and we would like her guidance in future. Who would leave the chance to speak to her. The kind of alliance in UP is a start of the BJP’s endgame. UP and Bihar will kick out BJP from both the states. This alliance will show the path to the entire nation,” he said.

“My father Lalu Prasad Yadav had always dreamt of an alliance comprising Mayawati Ji and Akhilesh Ji in Uttar Pradesh. Lalu ji is today in jail as he never bowed down in front of the BJP, even I was not spared since I was a boy and cases were lodged against me. My Nitish Chacha was also instrumental in it,” said Mr Yadav.

Predicting a whitewash for the BJP in both UP and Bihar after Mahagathbandan, Mr Yadav, the younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, told reporters here on late Sunday night that he and his party were not against Modi, but that it was an ideological fight.

“We are not here to defeat Modi Ji, we don’t have any personal enmity with him. It is an ideological fight, we have always been opposing the BJP and the RSS. We want to work for our country and save the constitution of the country,” he said.

Coming down heavily on the Centre’s 10 per cent quota for the economically weak from the upper castes, he said that the BJP wants to implement “Nagpur laws” in the country, a reference to the BJP working at the behest of the RSS, which is headquartered in Nagpur.

“There’s an atmosphere today where they want to scrap Baba Saheb’s Constitution and implement ‘Nagpur laws’. People welcome the step taken by Mayawati ji and Akhilesh ji,” said Mr Yadav.​

He is scheduled to meet Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday.

Srinagar, Jan 14 (UNI) Security forces on Monday arrested a top militant of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, official sources said.

They said a joint Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established at Champazpura Ajas in Bandipora this morning following a tip off about militant movement.

During the naka checking security forces arrested a militant and recovered a pistol and a satellite phone besides other arms and ammunition.

Later, the militant was identified as Sarfraz Ahmad Sheer, a resident of Koil Muqam, a category “A” militant who was active for the past four years.

Describing the arrest a big catch, they said he was being questioned.

New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Domestic passenger vehicles sale reported marginal decline in the last month of 2018.
In December last year, a total number of 2,38,692 passenger vehicles were sold as compared to 2,39,723 over the same period in 2017 thus registering minus 0.43 per cent decline in the segment.
Similarly, other segments, including commercial vehicles, three-wheelers and two-wheelers registered a decline in the last month.
In Commercial vehicles segment, a decline of 7.80 per cent was registered.

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) Indian women team is all set to embark on a tour of New Zealand after going through a tough period during the T20 World Cup held in West Indies in which India failed to make it to the final, followed by verbal bitter exchanges between Mithali Raj and others in the team.

The team is touring New Zealand after a gap of 12 years. It will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs), followed by three T20Is between January 24 and February 10.

Addressing pre-departure press conference here on Sunday, Mithali said, “When the coach comes ahead for the national side, we as a team are very vocal and expressive with regard to what is required for the team and the benefit of the team.”

“The coach and players have to be on the same page because that’s very important, and the coach understands,” the ODI captain added.

Raj hoped the new coach, successor of Ramesh Power, W V Raman, will make a big difference to the team.

“I have not trained under him (Raman) but met him a couple of times. If you have seen his credentials … he has played [at the highest level] and also coached various teams at various levels,” Raj said.

“There is no expectation as such. When you have credentials like that you are only positive that the coach will make a big difference to the team going into this year, going into this series,” the veteran cricketer added.

Talking about the importance of the New Zealand tour, she said the (ODI) series, which will be a part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will be crucial for qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2021.

“Right now, the focus definitely is the New Zealand series, but as a captain and as a team we understand the importance of the points system and how important it is for us to gain those points to get an entry into the 2021 World Cup. We know where we stand right now in the tables and this series should be crucial from that perspective, “Raj said.

Raman, who is coaching a women’s side for the first time, said he is ready to take up the “slightly different” challenge.

“Every coaching assignment will have its challenge,” said Raman. “This is slightly different because it is a different segment, but again the common denominator is cricket because they are going to play cricket. In terms of tactics, technique and various other things there is not much difference. So, I, therefore, don’t see as something totally different. It is slightly different yes, but not totally different.”

Both captain and coach insisted that the controversy and the difference of opinion in the team following the T20 World Cup appearance was “past”.

Talking about her retirement, the 36-year-old hinted that she may not play next World Cup.

“I did not think of retirement, as whatever happened, it happened off the field. I do not know where I will be standing after couple of months from now. I really do not know whether I will be part of the 2020-21 World Cup,” Raj said.

“I cannot predict or comment about my future. I have never planned throughout my career, it’s always been with the flow,” she further added.

India’s squad for the tour.

ODI squad: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Punam Raut, Deepti Sharma, D Hemalatha, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Mona Meshram, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Shikha Pandey

T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Mithali Raj, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Anuja Patil, D Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Priya Punia.

New Zealand Women had named a strong 13-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against India at home.

New Zealand squad: Amy Satterthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk), Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

Mumbai, Jan 13 (UNI) The latest mega hit in Bollywood’s history Simmba is on a record-breaking spree.
The film has shattered several box office records and has now entered the ranks of the top 10 Bollywood domestic box office hits of ALL TIME.
Simmba, released on 28th December 2018, has grossed over Rs 350 crores at the domestic and overseas box office, becoming the highest grossing film for all of its makers – Reliance Entertainment, Rohit Shetty Picturez and Dharma Productions.
With Simmba, Rohit Shetty now holds the unmatched record of having eight consecutive films to enter the Rs 100 crore net domestic box office club, and he is only the 2nd director in India with three films to enter the super elite Rs 200 crore club.
Director, Rohit Shetty strongly feels that the success of the film not only belongs to him, but to fans and the fraternity as a whole.
It feels incredible to see the excitement and fabulous response of the audience for Simmba in cinema halls everywhere. I am very happy with the appreciation the film is garnering, he stated.
Shibasish Sarkar, Reliance Entertainment, commented, “Simmba has received great love from critics and audiences alike, globally. We are grateful to our partners, Rohit and Karan, and new ‘superstar’ Ranveer Singh, for creating a hugely entertaining film that has delivered great joy to audiences through the holiday season and beyond.
Producer, Karan Johar, said, “all of us at Dharma Productions are so proud and ecstatic with Simmba! Officially our biggest hit!! Rohit Shetty is a mainstream maverick and this has been one of our best associations and looking forward to many more with him and his team. Simmba marks the beginning of a solid professional bond between Rohit and me! Personally he is one of the best guys in the business and a true friend!”
Simmba stars Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, Sonu Sood, Siddharth Jadhav, Ashutosh Rana and Ajay Devgn and is still playing successfully in cinemas.
The film is presented by Reliance Entertainment in association with Dharma Productions and Rohit Shetty Picturez.

Pune, Jan 13 (UNI) Having the backing of a home crowd is something players look forward to, but having the constant backing of a coach is what they thrive on.
Maharashtra’s gymnastics coach Mahendra Babhulkar has been successful in providing that support to his trainees.
Reflecting upon his team’s impressive start to the Khelo India Youth Games, Babhulkar said, I have observed that a major part of the credit for success in gymnastics goes to the coach. But I believe execution on the big day is crucial, and I’m glad that my athletes have delivered so far.
Maharashtra bagged as many as 23 medals in the under-17 gymnastics category.
Babhulkar and his team got the opportunity to practice at the Balewadi Sports Complex a few days before the Games began. He recognised the fact that the preparatory camp prior to the event helped them as they practiced with the same equipment and apparatus that would be used at the event.
Many of his young gymnasts have been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Speaking about the same, Babhulkar added that having a SAI training centre in the state makes a huge difference to the way his gymnasts train as the facilities and equipment provided there are very good and add efficiency in training.
Maharashtra were buoyed by fantastic performances from Shreyas Mandlik, Krisha Chheda, and twin sisters Riddhi and Siddhi Hattekar who bagged a major share of the medals in the under-17 category.
Shreyas Mandlik missed out on a medal in the men’s artistic all-round category but made a perfect comeback, clinching medals in all of the four individual apparatus events he played in.
The 15-year old who hails from Thane, thanked his coach for his victory. I wasn’t feeling very confident initially, but words of inspiration from my coach turned things around. I still cannot believe I won four medals, and I am grateful to my coach and my family who have always believed in me, said Mandlik who won a gold and earned two silver along with a bronze.
A strong support from parents and family is very vital to a sportsperson, and Babhulkar stressed on the importance of the same. I am proud of the fact that the parents of these gymnasts have been equally passionate. There have been many talented athletes in the past who stopped pursuing sport due to family pressure, and I am glad there are no signs of that in my team. The support from parents is as crucial as my support to the players, he added.
He also lauded the move by the government that provides financial support to the athletes at the Khelo India Games.Such financial incentives add to the players’ motivation while also giving a bit of relief to the parents, as those funds can be utilized for further training, said Babhulkar, signing off, as he turned his focus back to his young gymnasts.

New Delhi/Jaisalmer, Jan 13 (UNI) An Indian Army soldier who was arrested on Friday in connection with alleged leaking of sensitive information to Pakistan-based intelligence agency after being honey trapped, has been sent on police remand till January 18 in Jaipur.

The soldier has been identified as Somveer, posted at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

“The Army is providing all possible assistance to civilian authorities in the investigation related to this case,” said Rajasthan Defence PRO Lt Col Sambit Ghosh.

He was under scanner of Indian intelligence since last four months. It is said that he came in contact with the woman agent during his training.

He used to sending information through WhatsApp and Facebook.

The police have registered case against him under various sections of Official secret Act and Indian Penal Code.

Kolhapur, Jan 13 (UNI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar has assured Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) delegation members that he would meet state chief minister Devendra Phadnvis in Mumbai on Monday to discuss the lawyers’ appointments issue.
Mr Pawar assured this when a MES delegation lead by its president Deepak Dalvi met Mr Pawar at Pancsheel hotel where he was stayed to discuss court issue on long pending border dispute between two states and requested Mr Pawar to take with Mr Phadnvis to appoint more lawyers for to plead the state’s side before the court following the absence of public prosecutor Harish Salve during the hearing on January eight.
Mr Dalvi told Mr Pawar that the Maharashtra government had already submitted all related papers and evidences in the court on this issue but no any lawyer incuding Mr Salve not present in the court to plead the case.
He also requested to Mr Pawar to talk also with Mr Salve for look into the court case.
Mr Pawar assured delegation members that he would talk with Mr Phadnvis on this issue on Monday in Mumbai and would request him to appoint more lawyers for this case to plead properly state’s side in the court.

Pune, Jan 13 (UNI) A 16-year-old girl from Baramati in Maharashtra — similar as shown in the ‘Three Idiots’ movie who wanted to do something to make sure that her brother never missed school due to his disability — Mayuri Yadav, 10th class student at Anand Vidyalaya Hol, Baramati, Pune, has built an improvised cycle-cum-wheelchair to drop her brother to school.

Of course, she has built this cycle-cum-wheelchair using all the skills at her disposal so that she could take her brother to school.

Her innovative cycle-cum-wheelchair was exhibited at the district level science exhibition. Now this innovative thing has been selected for the state-level science exhibition.

Nikhil Yadav, a 12-year old boy from same school, was born differently-abled and cannot walk. Therefore, he is wheelchair-bound and totally dependent on his family to move from one place to another.

However, he never allowed his ‘disability’ to overpower him.

His parents too encouraged him to study further.

Nikhil’s father usually drops and picks him up from school. But, sometimes, Nikhil used to miss his school whenever his father was out due to his work.

His 16-year-old sister, Mayuri, noticed her brother’s sorry plight and decided to help him, so that he won’t miss his school.She came up with a novel idea of building a cycle-cum-wheelchair. She shared the idea with school Principal AS Atar and other teachers and then with their help, she built a wheelchair-cum-cycle for her brother.

While speaking to UNI, Mayuri said, “my father used to drop Nikhil to school every day. But, sometimes due to his work, Nikhil used to miss his school. My father can’t take leave every day. So, an idea came across my mind — to attach my cycle to his wheelchair. Now, both of us can go to school together,” Mayuri said with a smile on her face.

School Principal, Mr Atar, told UNI, “We have exhibited the cycle in the district level competition. Now, this innovation has been selected to compete at the state-level science exhibition as well.”

“The cycle-cum-wheelchair is ready and has been kept in the school so that other students will also get motivated by this kind of innovation. I urge society to come forward to help Nikhil,” Mr Atar added.

Lucknow, Jan 12 (UNI) The much awaited Mahagathbandhan of BSP and SP was announced here on Saturday by Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav.

In a crowded press conference here, Ms Mayawati and Mr Yadav informed that the alliance will contest 38 seats each with leaving 2 each for smaller parties and Congress even blaming the Congress and ‘equating’ it with the BJP.

Both Ms Mayawati and Mr Yadav minced no word to criticise the BJP and termed their ‘new friendship’ as a ‘natural alliance and as it was required’ to save the country and countrymen.

Mayawati also said that she had forgotten the June 5,1995 guest house incident in view of the present political ‘scenario’ in the country.

Jammu, Jan 10 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee on Thursday alleged that the BJP has failed to handle situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
“BJP has failed to handle the situation in Jammu and Kashmir during his unholy coalition in the state,” JKPCC Chief G A Mir said while addressing one day Convention of District Congress Committee Kathua at Billawar.
He said the worst ever mis-governance and misrule of BJP-PDP government left the people of the state in lurch and the overall situation deteriorated in Kashmir Valley.
The BJP and PDP entered into an opportunist alliance for the sake of power and compromised their core issues, he added and said, “they remained engaged in the tug of war during their whole period in office, which caused great harm to the secular and social fabric of the state and created disunity and disharmony in the society”.
The PCC Chief said that BJP has mastery of falsehood and fake slogans and pursued destructive and divisive politics in the Country.
“Congress always strengthen democracy in state and country and countered the anti-national and anti-democracy forces at the cost of sacrifices,” he added.
Mr Mir said the Congress party is the only secular and unifying force in the country and state, which strengthened the secularism and it will continue to safeguard the secular fabric of the country and state and added that Congress party will defeat the designs of communal and divisive forces creating atmosphere of discord and will not allow them to play with the emotions of people for political gains.
He asked the party cadre to educate masses about failures of Modi government on all fronts and to deliver on their poll promises besides worst ever betrayal with people of the sate during their unholy coalition.

Washington, Jan 12 (Sputnik) The current US government shutdown became the longest in the country’s history on Saturday upon entering day number 22 with no end in sight amid a budget battle over border security.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that his administration is not looking into declaring a national emergency “right now” although he said he has the legal authority to do so in order to bypass Congress to get more than $5 billion he wants to build the wall on the US-Mexico border.
The current shutdown surpassed the previous record set when the Clinton administration shut down for 21 days in the mid-1990s.
Friday also marked the first missed paycheck for more than 800,000 federal government workers, about half of whom have worked without pay since the shutdown began December 22, with the remainder sent home.
On Friday, the Senate announced that it was adjourning until Monday – signaling that no talks are scheduled to resolve the crisis over the weekend.
The shutdown so far has cost the US economy around $3.6 billion, Standard & Poor’s Chief US Economist Beth Ann Bovino said in a statement on Friday. The S&P estimate indicates that a shutdown lasting for two more weeks would cost the economy $6 billion, exceeding the $5.7 billion sought by Trump for his wall.
On January 8, 2019, Trump said during an oval office address that the United States was facing a humanitarian and security crisis on the border with Mexico, hence law enforcement needed funding to build the wall. US lower house Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Trump to reopen the federal government and stop the shutdown, while continuing discussions on border security separately.
The US House of Representatives passed legislation on Friday to fund the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior. However, Senate Republicans already said they would not vote for it and the Trump administration has threatened to veto any spending bill that lacks the necessary border fundihng.
The United States currently has physical barriers in place along about 30 percent of its 1,954-mile border with Mexico. At present, these 600 miles worth of barrier largely consist of multi-layered vehicle and pedestrian fences ranging in height from 15 to 20 feet tall. Trump has asked for an additional $5.7 billion to erect steel walls across 234 miles of the border. Current prototypes range in height from 18 to more than 30 feet tall, according to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency.

Bandipora, Jan 12 (UNI) Dozens of roads connecting far flung and remote villages, including those near the Line of Control (LoC) in this north Kashmir district remained closed on Saturday due to fresh snowfall since Friday evening .
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said snow clearance operation has been started this morning on different routes.
He said snow clearance operation has been started on Bandipora – Sopore, Bandipora – Srinagar, Bandipora – Ahemsharief-Bothu, Bandipora – Arin and main roads in the town, including those leading to hospitals and government offices.
He said there was fresh snowfall in Bandipora since early this morning and at some places it was still snowing.
He said Baktor had received one and half a feet of fresh snowfall and machines were deployed to clear snow.
An official of Control Room (CR) set up at Bandipora told UNI over phone that the Bandipora-Gurez road remained closed due to fresh snowfall. Traffic on the road, which connects Gurez, which is surrounded by Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) from three sides, and other dozens of villages with Bandipora, was restored on Thursday after remaining suspended for over a week.
There was about one feet of fresh snowfall on the road, he said adding snow clearance operation has been started from both Gurez and Bandipora sides to put through the road early. However, he said, the vehicles were directed to use anti-skid chains during the travel to avoid any accident. The authorities have already agreed to construct a tunnel at Razdan top to make it all weather road.
The district administration claimed that all essential commodities, including rice, sugar, atta and kerosene oil have been stocked in the areas which remained cut off from district and tehsil headquarters during winter. However, efforts are being made to make sure these areas remained connected throughout the year.

New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) Today is birthday of Swami Vivekananda.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that it is from the cyclonic monk of India that the country should draw inspiration of a “strong, vibrant and inclusive” India.

“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.” – Remembering these powerful words, and the rich thoughts of the venerable Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. He emphasised on the ideals of service and renunciation,” Prime Minister tweeted.

In another missive, Mr Modi wrote: “His belief in Yuva Shakti was unwavering”.

“The thoughts and ideals of Swami Vivekananda inspire and energise crores of Indians, particularly our youth”.

“It is from him that we draw the motivation of building an India that is strong, vibrant, inclusive and an India that takes global leadership in several areas,” he wrote.

In an audio video message along with the tweets, Prime Minister said in effect Swami Vivekananda

represented the centuries old soul of India.

Born on January 12, 1863, Vivekananda – born Narendranath Datta was an Indian Hindu monk, a chief disciple of the 19th-century mystic guru Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century.

Sydney, Jan 12 (UNI) Right-arm medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar reached the 100-wicket mark during the first One Day International (ODI) against Australia here at Sydney Cricket ground (SCG) on Saturday.

With this landmark, Bhuvneshwar, one of India’s premier fast bowlers, became the 19th Indian bowler to reach the mark in the format. He is the 12th Indian pacer to take 100 ODI wickets in the format.

The 28-year-old reached the milestone when he dismissed Australian captain Aaron Finch for six runs in the third over of the match to give the visitors their first breakthrough of the maiden ODI match of the three match series.

He took 100 wickets in his 96th appearance with an average of 37.88 in ODI, becoming the fourth slowest Indian to reach the milestone. However, he plays very important role in the death overs for the team.

Left-armer Irfan Pathan is the fastest Indian bowler to take 100 scalps in just 59 matches. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has recently become the fastest ever to take 100 wickets in the format. He took 44 matches to reach the milestone.

Bengaluru, Jan 11 (UNI) The year 2019 has started with a ‘big bang’ for ISRO and the state-run space agency has lined 32 launches during the year, double the number of successful launches it achieved during 2018.

Ths include 14 launch vehicle missions, 18 spacecraft mission. In the launch vehicle mission there will be eight PSLV, two GSLV MkIII and two Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) missions.

Speaking at the annual press conference here on Friday, he said the beginning of the preparations in the new year is preparing for the Gaganyan the human space flight programme slated to be launched in December 2021.

‘’This a major turning point for ISRO. It is triggering the space agency’s expansion in a major way. Once the final launch is fixed, three Indian astronauts will travel to space and stay there for seven days and safely return,’’ he said.

He said to ensure execution of Gaganyaan programme ISRO today launched the ‘Human Space Flight Centre’ at its headquarters here. This centre will be controlling all human space programme related activities. Gaganyaan project will function as a system under this centre. ‘’We have named Dr Unnikrishnan Nair as the director of this centre. The project director for Gaganyaan is Mr Huttan, who is also the project director of PSLV,’’ he said.

Dr Sivan said the union government in 2018 had approved Rs 30,000 crore for ISRO’s activities last year and out of that 10,600 crore was meant for 13 PSLV and 10 GSLV Mk III launches, Rs 10,000 crore for Gaganyaan Manned Mission and nearly 10,000 crore for new satellite vehicles. ‘’These funds will be spent within two years and this is going to create about 20,000 jobs in the industry. Industry outside ISRO was going to benefit 80 per cent of this spending of Rs 30,000 crore. This will help space based private industry to grow in a major way which also include start-ups,’’ he said.

He said so far ISRO was concentrating on three vehicles like launch vehicles, space infrastructure and applications. Now the addition is Gaganyan which triggers major expansion for ISRO. This was because the payload in this mission is human. ‘’We have to select the astronauts, we have to give training for them, create a place for them in the space providing for conducive environment in space and bring them back to earth safely and rehabilitate them,’’ he explained.

Engineering and human science aspects are involved. Engineering aspects include launch vehicle, crew module and service module that ISRO is gaining expertise in. This is new and life-size for ISRO. We will have in the future space stations.

ISRO planning to have the first unmanned mission of Gaganyaan during December 2020 and the second mission without astronauts during July 2021 and the first Gaganyaan mission with astronauts during December 2021.

The Gaganyaan mission will be an Indian affair with possible some help from outside the country. The launch could take place from Russia or some other country. But launch vehicle and the crew capsule will be Indian made. The selection and initial training of the astronauts will also be done under an Indian system. He was open to any qualified person to be astronaut whether he is from Indian Air Force or other agencies, Dr Sivan said.

He said technological development is SSLV was in final stages and the maiden flight will take place July 2019. This vehicle has special feature being the smallest vehicle in the ISRO launch family. It will have 10 tone mass and takes just 72 hours for integrating not 70 days right now we need. Only six people are required to operate the vehicle. The cost of the SSLV is just Rs 30 crore and payload will be 500 kgs. This is a on demand based vehicle, he said.

Next major project is GSAT-20 that is going to complete Union government’s digital India Programme. We need to provide high bandwidth connectivity, around 100 GBPS and GSAT 20, along with GSAT 22 and 11 will meet all the requirements. The launch of GSAT-20 will happen during September-October this year.

The other major programme is that we are going to review reusable launch vehicle. We are going to make next demonstration of this during this year, Dr Sivan added.