After commissioning two multi-mission stealth frigates, Singh said India never believes in aggressive expansionism and that the whole world knows it.

 “I want to reiterate that Operation Sindoor is not over, it is merely a pause,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

He was speaking at the commissioning of two advanced stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri at the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

The Defence Minister presided over the ceremony, which marked the first time two frontline surface combatants built at different shipyards, were commissioned simultaneously.

Addressing the gathering, Singh reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing. “INS Tamal was the last foreign order for the Indian Navy. No future ship for the Indian Navy will be built abroad. All will be constructed in India,” he asserted.

The Defence Minister described the commissioning of the two frigates as an important step toward enhancing indigenous capabilities. He reiterated India’s policy of restraint while asserting readiness to defend national security.

“When our security is threatened, we know how to give a befitting reply. Innocent civilians were killed in Pahalgam. We gave an effective, measured and precise response through Operation Sindoor,” he said. Singh reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to strengthening the Armed Forces with a futuristic approach, describing it as a significant achievement of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign. “Today, we are safeguarding not only land, sea and air, but also space, cyberspace, economic space and social space. Self-reliance is no longer just a slogan but is becoming a reality, thanks to the relentless efforts of our scientists,,” he added.

In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi termed the double commissioning of INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri a testament to India’s growing maritime power and self-reliance, noting that both warships have over 75% indigenous content.

Highlighting the Navy’s capability to deliver decisive force from the sea, he cited Operation Sindoor as an example of swift deployment and deterrence. The two frigates are follow-on ships of the Shivalik-class (Project 17) and incorporate improved stealth, advanced weapons, sensors, and modern propulsion systems. Both vessels are capable of performing a full range of maritime operations in blue-water conditions.

INS Udaygiri was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, while INS Himgiri was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

The ships were designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), with Udaygiri being 100th warship designed by it, marking a key milestone in five decades of indigenous design efforts.

Security on eastern seaboard strengthened

Each ship is equipped with a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion system, an Integrated Platform Management System, and a suite of advanced indigenous weapons and sensors.

Both ships revive the names of earlier frigates-INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34) – that served the Indian Navy for over three decades before being decommissioned. Udaygiri is noted for being fastest ship in her class to be delivered post-launch, a result of modular construction techniques adopted by Indian shipyards. The addition of these frigates is expected to strengthen maritime security on India’s eastern seaboard.

Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command (ENC), presided.

Commissioning of frigates hailed

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister N Lokesh, in separate posts on X, hailed the commissioning of two stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector, a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on Tuesday announced the selection of the PixxelSpace India-led consortium to design, build, and operate India’s first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite constellation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace India consortium comprises Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space.

IN-SPACe said the selection of the PixxelSpace India consortium was done following a competitive bidding process which involved two more consortia.

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector that a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors.

The constellation will deliver Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS) for applications in climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, marine surveillance, national security, and urban planning, while also catering to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence.

IN-SPACe said that by generating high-resolution, indigenous satellite data, the initiative will significantly reduce India’s reliance on foreign sources, ensure data sovereignty, and position the country among the global leaders in space-based data solutions.

“This initiative signals the coming of age of India’s private space industry in the space sector. It demonstrates the capability and confidence of Indian companies to lead large-scale, technologically advanced, and commercially viable space missions that serve both national and global markets. The EO -PPP model fosters an ecosystem where public and private capabilities reinforce each other to drive growth, innovation, and self-reliance,” Pawan Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe, said.

Under the PPP framework, the Union government will provide strategic, technical, and policy support, while the PixxelSpace India-led consortium will own and operate the EO system, including satellite manufacturing, launches from Indian soil, ground infrastructure, and commercialisation of data services.

IN-SPACe further added that the EO constellation will be deployed in a phased manner over the next four years to ensure continuous service upgrades and expanded coverage.

Once operational, it will be among the most advanced EO systems in the world, designed, built, and operated entirely in India by Indian talent.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

On 23rd August 2025, the AI–Drone–Robotics Workshop became the stage for a groundbreaking moment in education and technology, as BrainHap in association with IIT Bombay and Aerobott unveiled NeuroCalm 42. With Atharva University and Rahul Education Trust joining as academic partners, the event blended neuroscience, artificial intelligence, drones, and robotics into a powerful vision for the future of learning. At the heart of the workshop was the unveiling of NeuroCalm 42, BrainHap’s revolutionary brain-mapping technology designed to analyze students’ cognitive skills, focus levels, and emotional balance. Developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay under the leadership of Jyoti Gupta, Founder of BrainHap, the solution is positioned as a timely response to the growing challenges of digital distractions and fragmented attention spans among learners.

The event featured an expert session by Azizuddin Khan, Professor at IIT Bombay, whose three decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and digital behavior emphasized the urgent need for cognitive training and digital wellness in today’s fast-evolving world. His insights underscored how brain mapping and emotional balance are essential tools for preparing students for the future.

Beyond discussions, the workshop offered rich experiences. Participants engaged in practical Solutions for a Healthier Future through mind-training techniques aimed at reprogramming, rewiring, and resetting the brain for better focus. Aerobott led a dynamic “Build and Fly Your Own Drone” session, while robotics demonstrations highlighted real-world automation applications. AI learning tools and interactive modules further inspired participants to see how technology can reshape education and enhance performance.

Sharing her vision, Jyoti Gupta said, “NeuroCalm 42 is not just technology, it is a movement to bring focus, calm, and emotional strength back into the lives of students. By merging neuroscience with AI, we are giving schools and parents a way to truly understand the minds of young learners and help them grow into balanced, confident individuals ready for the future.” The day ended with a strong sense of purpose: education must evolve with science and technology to equip students with sharper minds and steadier hearts. The AI–Drone–Robotics Workshop was not only the launch of a breakthrough product but also a statement of intent — that the fusion of neuroscience, AI, drones, and robotics is here to shape healthier, smarter, and future-ready generations.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.

source/content: thewire.in (headline edited)

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector, a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on Tuesday announced the selection of the PixxelSpace India-led consortium to design, build, and operate India’s first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite constellation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace India consortium comprises Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space.

IN-SPACe said the selection of the PixxelSpace India consortium was done following a competitive bidding process which involved two more consortia.

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector that a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors.

The constellation will deliver Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS) for applications in climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, marine surveillance, national security, and urban planning, while also catering to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence.

IN-SPACe said that by generating high-resolution, indigenous satellite data, the initiative will significantly reduce India’s reliance on foreign sources, ensure data sovereignty, and position the country among the global leaders in space-based data solutions.

“This initiative signals the coming of age of India’s private space industry in the space sector. It demonstrates the capability and confidence of Indian companies to lead large-scale, technologically advanced, and commercially viable space missions that serve both national and global markets. The EO -PPP model fosters an ecosystem where public and private capabilities reinforce each other to drive growth, innovation, and self-reliance,” Pawan Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe, said.

Under the PPP framework, the Union government will provide strategic, technical, and policy support, while the PixxelSpace India-led consortium will own and operate the EO system, including satellite manufacturing, launches from Indian soil, ground infrastructure, and commercialisation of data services.

IN-SPACe further added that the EO constellation will be deployed in a phased manner over the next four years to ensure continuous service upgrades and expanded coverage.

Once operational, it will be among the most advanced EO systems in the world, designed, built, and operated entirely in India by Indian talent.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

India plans to launch the first module of the BAS, its own home-built space station, by 2028, marking its entry into the group of a handful of nations that operate orbital laboratories.

ISRO on Friday unveiled a model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) module during the two-day National Space Day celebrations that began here.

India plans to launch the first module of the BAS, its own home-built space station, by 2028, marking its entry into the group of a handful of nations that operate orbital laboratories.

Presently, there are two orbital laboratories — the International Space Station operated by five space agencies, and the Tiangong space station of China.

India plans to have five modules of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station in place by 2035 as part of its ambitious plans for the space sector.

The BAS-01 module is expected to weigh 10 tonnes and will be placed in a low earth orbit at 450 km above the earth.

Salient features of the BAS include, indigenously developed Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), Bharat Docking System, Bharat Berthing Mechanism, automated hatch system, platform for microgravity research and technology demonstration, viewports for scientific imaging and crew recreation.

The BAS will also have provision for refilling of propulsion and ECLSS fluids, radiation, thermal and Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection, space suits, airlocks to support extra vehicular activity and plug and play integrated avionics.

The BAS is expected to serve as a research platform for studying various aspects of space, life sciences, medicine, and interplanetary exploration.

It will provide an opportunity to study the effects of microgravity on human health and test essential technologies needed for long-term human presence in space.

The space station will support space tourism, with India entering the commercial space sector by leveraging the orbital lab’s resources.

The BAS will contribute to ongoing international collaborations and serve as a hub for scientific research and also inspire younger generations to consider careers in space science and technology.

The massive 3.8 meter x 8 meter BAS-01 model was the center of attraction among those attending the National Space Day celebrations at the Bharat Mandapam here

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

OpenAI will collaborate with the government on its $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, focused on developing voice-first AI models for Indian languages of various scales.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced plans to open its first office in New Delhi later this year. This move comes as multinational companies turn to India for AI talent, attracted by the country’s lower costs compared with the US and Europe.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted India’s potential, stating, “India has all the ingredients to become a global AI leader — amazing tech talent, a world-class developer ecosystem, and strong government support through the IndiaAI Mission”.

He added that the office marks an important first step in making “advanced AI more accessible across the country and to build AI for India, and with India”.

OpenAI will collaborate with the government on its $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, focused on developing voice-first AI models for Indian languages of various scales.

India has become one of ChatGPT’s fastest-growing markets, ranking second globally in terms of user numbers.

In just one year, the number of weekly active users increased by over four times. To further strengthen its presence, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Go, a subscription plan priced at ₹399 per month with UPI payment integration, tailored to the Indian market.

OpenAI is also expanding its AI literacy programme in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology through the OpenAI Academy. Its GPT-5 model has shown significant improvements in understanding Indic languages.

India is becoming a hub for AI investment, with companies such as McDonald’s planning to set up data-centric, “global capability centres”.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

While he was blessed with success in business, his life had a fair share of tragedies. Besides the loss of daughter Ambika at a very young age, he lost his son Angad Paul, who was Caparo Group’s CEO in 2015 and his wife Aruna in 2022.

From the bylanes of Jalandhar to a regular name in the annual ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, Lord Swraj Paul, who died on Thursday evening in London, was as one of the most well known NRI entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Born to Pyare Lal, who ran a small foundry used to make steel goods, including buckets and other farming equipment, Lord Paul was exposed to business early in his life much before he went on to establish UK-based Caparo Group, a diversified businesses entity with interests predominantly in design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of value-added steel and niche engineering products.

Born on February 18, 1931, he completed high school education at Jalandhar and Bachelors in Science from Punjab University in 1949. Then he went to the US to pursue his Bachelors & Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

After completing his studies at MIT, he returned to India to join the family business, Apeejay Surrendra Group — one of India’s oldest business conglomerates.

But as fate would have it, he relocated to the UK in 1966 in pursuit of treatment for his daughter Ambika who was suffering from leukemia. Unfortunately, she died aged four.

Later, set up the Ambika Paul Foundation as a charitable trust that went on to donate millions to promote the wellbeing of children and young people all over the world through education and health initiatives.

The Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo in London is one of the major beneficiaries of the foundation.

Lord Paul laid the foundation to set up Caparo in 1968 with headquarters in London and it went on to become one of the largest steel conversion and distribution businesses in the UK. Today, it has operations in the UK, India, the US, Canada, and the UAE with a turnover of over USD 1 billion.

While he was blessed with success in business, his life had a fair share of tragedies. Besides the loss of daughter Ambika at a very young age, he lost his son Angad Paul, who was Caparo Group’s CEO in 2015 and his wife Aruna in 2022.

The personal losses drove him to undertake more philanthropic endeavours in their memory.

After the death of his wife the Ambika Paul Foundation was renamed as Aruna and Ambika Paul Foundation to honour her memory and to recognise her support and contributions to the many causes which the foundation supported during her lifetime.

He founded the Indo-British Association in 1975 to promote better understanding between India and Britain and served as its Chairman. He was knighted by the British Queen in 1978 and became Lord Paul of Marylebone and a member of the House of Lords. He was sworn as a Privy Councilor in October 2009.

The House of Lords peer, Lord Paul was conferred with the prestigious civilian award Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1983.

In the Indian business landscape, late Lord Paul is also remembered for his hostile bids to take over Escorts Group and the DCM Group in the early 80s, which required the intervention of then government after legal battles.

He was a regular in the annual ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, this year he was ranked 81st with an estimated wealth of GBP 2 billion, largely derived from the steel and engineering multinational Caparo Group.

Despite his frailty in recent months, he had maintained his routine of attending the House of Lords. An active member of the Indian diaspora in the UK, his death leaves a void hard to be filled.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Over 300 high school students from 64 countries have participated in the 10-day Olympiad hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

India is ensuring that technology is the priority for Viksit Bharat, Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, said at the opening ceremony of the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) held on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) in Mumbai.

“The participants should return to their country with new ideas, inspiration, and enriched thought processes,” Prof.. Sood said, referring to the Olympiad as a “science sport”.

Over 300 high school students from 64 countries have participated in the 10-day Olympiad hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

Astronomy is not only a study of the cosmos, Prof. Sood said in his inaugural speech, it is an ecosystem where extremely sensitive instruments involving computation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and more are used, offering many avenues to pursue in future.

This is the second time that India is hosting the IOAA, after the 2016 edition in Bhubaneswar. This year’s theme is ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, the “ancient Indian idea of world is family under the one sky”.

The future lies in the hands of young minds, solving real time problems, and India believes in international collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video message to the participants. “The next scientific breakthrough could be at the hands of these young minds, who knows?” Mr. Modi said, highlighting India’s achievements in the field of science.

Participants from Classes 10 to 12 are selected after a rigorous process to compete at the international level of the Olympiad. During the 10-day event, students have to appear in several challenging exams.

The dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included Ajit Kembhavi, former vice president of the International Astronomical Union. “There is a possibility that your entire professional journey could be shaped here as you will get inspired to do great things in life,” Mr. Kembhavi said, stressing on inspiration.

The IOAA was conceived in 2006 to meet the growing global interest in astronomy among high school students, with the first edition held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007.

According to the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, the IOAA’s curriculum is designed to challenge students in theoretical, observational, and data analyses.

“The questions should be fun and challenging. In a way, a best student should have something to think in every question. Secondly, students who are less prepared should get inspired to study better, and thirdly, the questions should make students go back and check why they couldn’t answer,“ Jayram Chengalur, Director, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

‘My family feels immense pride, a pride grounded in generations of faith, service, and resilience’, he said.

The UK’s Royal Navy has appointed its first-ever Hindu chaplain, the first non-Christian to be appointed for the official role of offering spiritual support to fellow naval officers based on the tenets of Hinduism.

Bhanu Attri, originally from Himachal Pradesh, took over his new role last week after undergoing a somewhat different course from other Navy cadets.

He went through six weeks of officer instruction, including sea survival with four weeks at sea aboard the warship HMS Iron Duke, and three weeks focused on the role of a military chaplain.

“To become the first-ever Hindu chaplain in the fleet is a profound honour,” said Attri.

“As a Hindu brought up in India, the chance to represent individuals from other diverse religions brings meaningful representation for the Hindu community and reflects the Navy’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and spiritual care for all,” said the 39-year-old.

“My family feels immense pride, a pride grounded in generations of faith, service, and resilience,” he said.

The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) welcomed the move after proposing Attri as fitting the criteria for the role: personal fitness both physical and mental, principled in faith and philosophy, reflective and pastoral; professional eligibility of education equivalent to Hindu scriptural degree level and post accreditation experience in leadership capacity, with a sound sense of spirituality and interfaith relations; and general outlook for integration into the British culture and having good English communicative skills.

“The training can be arduous, which requires medical fitness standards, ready for duty 24/7 at short notice,” said HCUK’s Anil Bhanot, Hindu Advisor to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“MoD careers are sometimes neglected by our Hindu youth and we will try and do more community meetings at temples to raise awareness. British Hindus have settled here from all corners of the world, and although our spiritual bhoomi (land) is India, our karmabhoomi is the United Kingdom and MoD represents our protective arm,” he said.

Attri was among 148 new officers among the so-called “leaders of tomorrow”, including warfare specialists, engineers, overseas and all cadets who joined from civilian life who completed their “Initial Officer Training” last week.

After up to 29 weeks of demanding instruction at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth, south-west England, they transformed from civilian to sailor and formally passed out at a BRNC ceremony in front of friends, family and senior naval officers.

“We live in a perilous world and as a service we must respond to the challenges to our nation’s security, also with confidence – and that means we need people like you that can offer leadership of the highest quality,” said Andrew Burns, Vice-Admiral and the Royal Navy’s senior operational commander who was the guest of honour at the ceremony.

“There is no greater commitment than to serve your country, and to lead others to do the same,” he said.

The training is designed to teach the basics of serving in the military, such as drill and uniform, through the fundamentals of leadership, seafaring, naval history and strategy.

In addition to extensive time in the classroom and on the parade ground, cadets head out on to Dartmoor to learn and develop leadership and teamwork skills, spend time at sea aboard an operational warship, and conduct training on specialist Vahana boats on the River Dart and in the English Channel.

“Commissioning into the Royal Navy is a moment none of us forget, and it has been a privilege to follow these officers through their training. What awaits is a life of duty and frontline service,” said Captain Andy Bray, Captain Britannia Royal Naval College.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

The Union Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojna portal on Monday (August 18, 2025). Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked first-time employees and employers to take advantage of the scheme. The Centre had said that the scheme, recently approved by Cabinet, will generate 3.5 crore jobs.

Dr. Mandaviya said all employers and first-time employees are covered under the scheme. He said people can avail incentives by registering on the portal or by uploading their Universal Account Number on the UMANG Application. Part A of the scheme is for first-time employees, and Part B is for employers. “Under Part A, a one-time incentive equivalent to an average of one month’s wages (Basic+DA) of up to ₹15,000 will be offered to first-time employees in two instalments,” Mr. Mandaviya said.

The employer, on the other hand, will get incentives under three slabs. For an employee with a salary of ₹10,000 per month, the employer will receive a one-time incentive of ₹1,000. For a salary between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000, the employer will receive ₹2,000. For a sum up to ₹30,000, the employer’s incentive will be ₹3,000. “The scheme will promote new job creation and support new employees,” the Minister said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)