Chennai, Two hospitals in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore collaborated to perform the country’s first ever inter-hospital swap liver transplantation, giving a new lease of life to two patients suffering from end-stage liver disease, the hospitals said on Friday.

The complex procedure was simultaneously performed through joint efforts of the GEM hospital and Sri Ramakrishna hospital, Coimbatore, on both the patients at the respective hospitals on July 3.

“Unlike the conventional living donor liver transplant where a relative donates directly to the patient, a swap transplant enables patients who do not have a compatible donor within their own family to exchange donors with another family in similar situation,” a release here said.

This approach expanded the donor pool and offered a new hope to patients with end-stage liver disease who would otherwise remain on long waiting lists or have no viable curative treatment option, the release said and described it as “a historic medical feat.”

The procedure was performed on a 59-year-old man from Salem in GEM hospital and a 53-year-old man from Tiruppur admitted to the Sri Ramakrishna hospital. Though their respective wives were willing to donate, their blood group was found incompatible and hence direct donation was ruled out.

As luck would have it, doctors identified that a swap transplant where the donor of each patient gives to the other was the only viable solution.

“This required navigating a host of legal, ethical, and logistical challenges…we had to obtain special clearance from the Tamil Nadu State Transplant Authority to transport the organ from one hospital to the other,” founder-chairman of GEM hospitals, Dr C Palanivelu, said.

Also, the hospitals had to ensure synchronised surgeries and establish a real-time communication protocol between both the hospitals, he said.

According to the managing trustee of Sri Ramakrishna hospital R Sundar the milestone stood as a true testament to Tamil Nadu’s medical excellence. “The highly skilled medical teams from GEM hospital and Sri Ramakrishna hospital undertook this complex procedure with great precision and dedication,” he said and added that both the patients were recovering well.

Director of GEM hospital Dr P Praveen Raj said swap transplants were already regulated under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act 2014 but inter-hospital coordination added new layers of security.

Liver transplant surgeon of GEM hospital Dr N Anand Vijay said both the hospitals performed the surgeries simultaneously in the hospitals located five km apart.

Liver transplant surgeon of Sri Ramakrishna hospital Dr R Jayapal said the approach helped to avoid the need for costly ABO-incompatible liver transplantation, which would have been the only alternative option in this scenario.

By a compatible swap, the teams successfully reduced the financial burden on the patients thus underscoring the commitment of both the hospitals in delivering the highest quality outcomes while preventing unnecessary expenses, he said.

“This milestone opens a new economic avenue in liver transplantation, proving that cost-effectiveness and clinical excellence can go hand in hand,” he added.

GEM hospital’s transplant surgeon Dr Magnus Jayaraj said both the surgeries were performed under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The SpaceX Dragon splashed down into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego 22.5 hours after leaving the International Space Station; during 20-day mission, astronauts orbited Earth 320 times.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow crew members on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) returned to Earth on Tuesday afternoon (July 15), as their SpaceX Dragon splashed down at 3:02 p.m. IST.

They returned from an 18-day sojourn on the International Space Station that was a first step for India’s own ambitions for indigenous human spaceflight, with Mr. Shukla — a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force — selected as one of the Indian astronauts on the Gaganyaan Mission.

The Dragon’s splashdown occurred off the coast of San Diego in the United States, 22-and-a-half hours after it departed from the ISS on July 14. Fifty minutes later, the astronauts made their way out of the Dragon, helped by the medical crew aboard the Space X recovery vessel, the Shannon.

Rehab programme

The first to come out of the Dragon was Ax-4 mission Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, followed by Group Captain Shukla, who was the pilot for the mission, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

Smiling and waving at the cameras, the astronauts were assisted by the team aboard the rescue ship as they went for routine medical checks after spending almost 20 days in microgravity conditions. According to the Indian Space Research Organisation, Group Captain Shukla will undergo a rehabilitation programme for about a week under the supervision of flight surgeons to help him adapt back to Earth’s gravity.

320 orbits of Earth

The four astronauts flew to the space station on the Dragon after it was launched by the Falcon 9 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25. During the 20-day mission, the crew completed 320 orbits around the Earth, covering 8.4 million miles of spaceflight, Axiom Space said. They also completed over 60 research activities and 23 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew members departed from the orbiting laboratory on July 14.

Early on Tuesday, SpaceX announced that the Dragon was on track to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego as per schedule. At around 2:09 p.m., the deorbit burn phase of the splashdown commenced, lasting for about 18 minutes.

Following the completion of the deorbit burn, the truck was jettisoned, and the Dragon’s nose cone was closed and secured for entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. A few minutes later, the Dragon’s two drogue parachutes deployed above the Pacific Ocean, followed by deployment of the four main parachutes, and the Dragon had a textbook splashdown into the ocean.

Safe splashdown

“Thanks for the great ride and safe trip and happy to be back,” Ms. Whitson said in her first message post splashdown.

Soon, a couple of fast boats with recovery personnel approached the Dragon to ensure that the spacecraft was safe.

The recovery personnel then completed sniff checks to ensure there were no hazardous chemicals around the vehicle and after they picked up the main parachutes, the main recovery vessel Shannon approached the Dragon.

The Dragon was then lifted to the recovery vessel and placed on the recovery nest before being moved to the hangar aboard the ship for the opening of the spacecraft hatch. After the hatch was opened, the astronauts exited the Dragon one by one, completing their mission.

Axiom Space said that they will undergo their first medical checks onboard the recovery vessel, before flying on a helicopter back to land. From there, the crew will be flown to Houston where they will be reunited with their respective teams.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

For India, Hungary and Poland, this mission has realised the return to human spaceflight, with astronauts from these countries travelling to space for the first time in more than 40 years.

Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth on Tuesday after an 18-day stay on the International Space Station, a feat that holds the promise to herald India’s own human spaceflight ambitions.

The Lucknow-born Shukla and three other astronauts of the private Axiom-4 mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the San Diego coast in California at 2:31 am Pacific Time (3:01 pm IST).

Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, became the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 sojourn as part of a Soviet Russian mission.

He also scripted history by becoming the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station with the longest stint — 20 days — in orbit around the Earth.

The Dragon Grace spacecraft lifted off from Florida on June 25 and docked at the International Space Station on June 26 after a 28-hour journey.

The Axiom-4 mission crew comprising Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary spent the next 18 days conducting 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions.

Travelling at a speed of over 28,000 km per hour, the Dragon spacecraft, carrying the Axiom-4 crew members, executed a series of manoeuvres to gradually slow down and enter the Earth’s atmosphere, braving intense heat before a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Minutes later, the Dragon spacecraft was hauled up over SpaceX’s recovery ship ‘Shannon’, where Shukla and the other astronauts emerged from the spacecraft.

The astronauts were helped by the ground staff to get on their feet as they adapted to gravity on Earth after experiencing weightless conditions during their 20-day trip.

The astronaut’s parents, who watched the splashdown in Lucknow, heaved a sigh of relief as their son returned to Earth.

While Shukla’s father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, and mother Asha Devi wiped their tears, his sister, Suchi Misra, welcomed her brother’s landing with moist eyes and folded hands.

“He has been to space and back, and we are all over the moon because this mission has its own importance for the country’s Gaganyaan programme,” Shambhu Dayal Shukla said.

“It is a matter of great fortune for us that his mission complete… We never thought that our son would reach such heights…. This is a matter of pride for our country and the people of the country. I thank everyone who prayed for our son…” Shukla’s father added.

Asha Shukla, his mother, said. “It feels good; we are all very happy. We prayed that they will come back safely. We are very excited to meet our son after 18 to 20 days…. We are very proud of our son,” she said.

Shukla’s sister Suchi Mishra said, “Today again we are feeling the same emotions that we had on the day he went for the mission. We will celebrate a lot when he comes back.”

“Every day we prayed and thanked God. When we talked, to him he seemed very happy… Being a pilot and now an astronaut, he might have seen the different beauty of our nation, and there is no doubt that ‘Saare Jahan se acha Hindustan humara,” she added.

ISRO had invested Rs 550 crore for the spaceflight, and the learnings from the mission are expected to help India fulfil its own human spaceflight ambitions – the Gaganyaan project, which is eyeing a 2027 lift-off.

The prime minister said that as India’s first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, Shukla has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.

“It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan,” Modi said in a post on X.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath led the tributes, describing Shukla’s feat as “a glorious symbol of courage, dedication and commitment to science.”

“Welcome back to Earth! Heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his team on the successful completion of the historic #AxiomMission4,” Adityanath wrote on X.

“Every Indian, especially the people of Uttar Pradesh, is proud today. India awaits your return with great excitement,” he added.

“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India’s aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone; it is a proud stride for India’s growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours,” defence minister Rajnath Singh posted on X.

The IAF also posted a congratulatory message on X, welcoming Shukla.

“Welcome back to Earth, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. All Air Warriors of the Indian Air Force extend heartfelt congratulations on the successful completion of the Axiom-4 mission,” it posted.

The IAF also shared a digital poster carrying a profile photo of the Indian astronaut and a caption — ‘An odyssey of courage, strength and inspiration’. The slogan ‘Sare Jehan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara’ was also written on it in a tri-colour theme.

“Welcome home, Shubhanshu Shukla! We are really happy to see that you are back. It is a matter of pride for us to see what you have done. Congratulations to you and your team members, and best wishes to your family,” Bengal chief minister Banerjee posted on X.

The Axiom-4 crew underwent a series of medical checks on board the ship before boarding a helicopter for a ride back to the shore.

The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit.

ISRO said Shukla has successfully completed all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, achieving a significant milestone in the Axiom-4 mission.

It said that experiments on the Indian strain of Tardigrades, Myogenesis, sprouting of methi and moong seeds, cyanobacteria, microalgae, crop seeds and Voyager Display have been completed as planned. 

Shukla conducted seven microgravity experiments assigned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), ranging from muscle regeneration and radiation effects to studies on algae, crop resilience and human physiology, all considered vital research for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

The faculty of Department of Studies in Microbiology in the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Mysuru has played a key role in the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven device for detection of early signs of cardiovascular stress.

The MyoBioScan device, developed by Ravichandra Mulpuri, an Indian-origin researcher based in the US, is a non-invasive and diagnostic tool aimed at enabling real-time monitoring of cardiovascular health. By capturing and analysing subtle physiological changes, the device, described as a “wearable patch”, seeks to alert users to potential heart-related issues before they become life threatening.

The MyoBioScan, whichhas been featured in the April-June 2025 issue of the International Journal on Science and Technology (IJSAT), is in its prototype and validation stage. “The device integrates multi-channel ECG acquisition with sweat-based biochemical sensing for key cardiac biomarkers”.

The developer, Mr. Mulpuri, was guided virtually by experts from the KSOU, viz. Niranjan Raj and Syed Baker, who selected and validated the appropriate biomarkers for cardiovascular health monitoring.

The device, ideally worn during exercises like running or training in the gym, will analyse the person’s sweat for various hormones and protein complexes that serve as cardiovascular biomarkers, said Mr. Baker.

“The sweat-based biomarkers like troponin-I, NT-proBNP, lactate, cortisol, and pH, provide an insight into cardiovascular health,” he said. The KSOU faculty’s academic mentorship was instrumental in shaping the scientific backbone of MyoBioScan, enhancing both its clinical relevance and technical design.

The device has been designed to give three signals based on its analysis. “Normal — keep monitoring, consult a medical professional, and emergency,” he said.

Quoting Mr. Mulpuri, Mr. Baker said that the device had the potential to become a low-cost, accessible diagnostic tool that can transform how early cardiovascular risks can be detected and managed.

The abstract of MyoBioScan in IJSAT said a pilot study evaluated the device for its performance in 80 participants, including healthy individuals and those with diagnosed conditions such as atrial fibrillation, myocardial ischemia, and early-stage heart failure.

“Subclinical abnormalities were detected in 4 asymptomatic individuals and confirmed through clinical follow-up. Sweat biomarker levels significantly differed between healthy and stressed participants, showing strong correlation with laboratory standards. User feedback revealed high satisfaction in terms of comfort, clarity of app feedback and trust in results, with over 90% expressing interest in long-term use,” the abstract said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The move will improve targeting, service delivery, says WCD Minister.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi on Saturday (July 12, 2025) announced that beneficiary registration under the Centre’s Poshan 2.0 scheme will be carried out through biometric authentication, starting August 1. The move aims to enhance targeting and improve service delivery under the scheme.

Speaking at a Ministry zonal meeting at Kevadia in the Narmada district, Ms. Devi said the adoption of digital tools, such as the face recognition system used under Saksham Anganwadi, would bring greater transparency, accountability, and governance to the programme.

Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is an integrated nutrition support initiative catering to children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

The Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated ₹4.49 lakh crore for this initiative, covering 273 schemes by 49 Ministries in a push towards gender-inclusive governance, the Minister said.

Digital tools for better governance

To enhance capacity-building, dedicated learning modules for Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 will be hosted on the iGOT Karmayogi platform for use by field functionaries nationwide, she added.

Ms. Devi urged States and Union Territories to strengthen their grievance redressal mechanisms, improve digital literacy among adolescent girls and young mothers, and ensure timely delivery of services through Anganwadis. She also proposed transforming the Poshan Helpline into an interactive platform for citizen engagement and service quality feedback.

Ms. Devi highlighted the Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfers under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana as a key transparency measure and encouraged all States and UTs to adopt the Mission Vatsalya portal for real-time data monitoring.

Participants at the zonal meeting included Minister of State Savitri Thakur, Ministers from the Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan governments, and senior officials from five western States. Discussions focused on convergence under Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Poshan 2.0, with States showcasing best practices and innovations.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The study found that 14.7 per cent of 686 hospitalised mucormycosis patients died within a year.

People who suffered from mucormycosis and recovered continue to battle long-term health effects of the fungal infection, such as facial disfigurement and speech difficulty, found an ICMR study.

There was an uptick in cases of mucormycosis, a rare infection also known as ‘Black Fungus’, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published last month in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, a leading microbiology journal, the study found that 14.7 per cent of 686 hospitalised mucormycosis patients died within a year, with most deaths occurring during initial hospitalisation.

Critical predictors of poor survival included involvement of the brain or eyes, intensive care admission, poor glycaemic control, and comorbid conditions.

Conversely, patients who received both surgical treatment and combination antifungal therapy (particularly Amphotericin-B formulations with Posaconazole) had significantly higher survival rates, said Dr Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader, from ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), the lead author of the study.

“But survivors often faced disfigurement and psychological distress, with more than 70 per cent reporting at least one clinical sequela (complication or disability) and a substantial proportion experiencing loss of employment,” Rizwan said.

“These are not abstract complications. Facial disfigurement, impaired speech, anxiety, and loss of livelihood are lived realities for many survivors. It is time for India to move beyond life-saving interventions and focus on life-restoring systems of care, including mental health support and rehabilitation,” he said.

Led by Rizwan and the All-India Mucormycosis Consortium, the study assessed survival, treatment outcomes, and post-recovery quality of life among hospitalised patients in India.

This large-scale study, covering 686 patients from 26 tertiary hospitals across the country, is the first of its kind to offer long-term, prospective data on this critical public health concern.

As a part of the study, 686 patients who had contracted mucormycosis between March and July 2021 were followed up for one year. Of the 686, 80 per cent (549) also had COVID-19.

The prevalence of mucormycosis varies significantly, from 0.01 to 2 cases per million in developed countries to 140 cases per million in India and similar nations, with incidence approximately 80 times higher in India. Despite advances in medical care, mucormycosis remains a highly lethal and debilitating condition.

“This study reinforces the pressing need to ensure access to timely diagnosis, surgical interventions, and combination antifungal therapy in all parts of India,” said Dr Manoj Murhekar, Director of Chennai-based ICMR-NIE.

“We cannot overstate how essential high-quality, multidisciplinary care is for patients battling mucormycosis, especially given the irreversible complications they face if treatment is delayed,” said Murhekar, a senior author of the study.

Spanning the length and breadth of India, the study involved institutions from nearly every region, capturing a diverse and realistic picture of mucormycosis management in both urban and rural populations.

Rizwan stressed, “This is not just a story of numbers. Behind every data point is a person who struggled with pain, disfigurement, and long-term disability. Our duty as clinicians and public health professionals is to reduce not just mortality but also the suffering that comes with survival.

“India has a disproportionately high burden of this disease. Our health systems must be better prepared.” The research comes at a time when India is still grappling with the long-term fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which mucormycosis surged dramatically.

As the global community turns its attention to pandemic preparedness and health system resilience, the study serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges posed by neglected fungal diseases.

“We hope our findings will serve as a call to action for policymakers, hospital administrators, and clinicians. Mucormycosis is not just a complication of COVID-19. It is a disease that demands long-term clinical attention, public health surveillance, and above all, compassion in care,” Rizwan said.

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)

During tests, Astra missiles hit high-speed unmanned targets with pinpoint accuracy under varying ranges and conditions, the Defence Ministry said, confirming two successful launches.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday successfully test-fired the indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’, equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, from a Su-30 MKI platform off the coast of Odisha.

Astra has a range exceeding 100 km and is equipped with a state-of-the-art guidance and navigation system. The term beyond visual range refers to the capability to engage targets beyond the direct line of sight.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), in its statement, said, “During the tests, two launches were carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets at different ranges, target aspects and launch platform conditions. In both the cases, the missiles destroyed the targets with pin-point accuracy.”

During the tests, all subsystems performed as expected, including the RF seeker, which has been indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO. The flawless performance of the Astra weapon system was validated through flight data captured by range tracking instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.

According to the MoD, the successful flight tests reaffirmed the accuracy and reliability of the Astra weapon system with the indigenous seeker. In addition to various DRDO laboratories, more than 50 public and private sector industries — including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — contributed to the successful realisation of the weapon system.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the DRDO, IAF and industry partners involved in the design and development of the RF seeker, and stated that the successful testing of the missile with an indigenous seeker is a major milestone in critical defence technology.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, congratulated all the teams involved in the successful flight-test.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

It is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source in the backdrop of India’s push to achieve self-reliance in defence.

The Navy commissioned INS Tamal, a Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate that also features dual role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, into the force Tuesday. It is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source in the backdrop of India’s push to achieve self-reliance in defence.

Additionally, Yard 12652 (Udaygiri), the second ship of Project 17A stealth frigate built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) in Mumbai, was delivered, the Navy said in a statement.

INS Tamal’s commissioning ceremony was held at Yantar shipyard in Russia’s Kaliningrad, where it was built. The ship will soon embark for her homeport of Karwar in Karnataka, the Navy said.

“INS Tamal is a formidable moving fortress at sea and is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions — air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic,” the Navy said.

INS Tamal is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate in Project 1135.6 — a series of frigates built by Russia for the Indian Navy — and the second of the additional follow-on Tushil class of ships. The first ship of Tushil class (INS Tushil) was commissioned in December last year.

The seven Project 1135.6 ships inducted thus far are part of the Western Fleet, ‘The Sword Arm’ of the Navy under the Western Naval Command.

INS Tamal has a crew of about 250 sailors and 26 officers and is commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, a gunnery and missile warfare specialist. The ship is equipped with dual role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically launched surface-to-air missiles with extended ranges, the standard 30 mm Close in Weapon System, the 100 MM Main gun and very potent ASW rockets and heavyweight torpedoes.

It has also been equipped with complex automated systems for nuclear, biological and chemical defence, including damage control and fire-fighting that can be operated centrally from sheltered posts, the Navy said.

The ship has successfully carried out trial firing of all her Russian weapon systems, including the vertical launched surface to air missile Shtil-1, artillery weapons and torpedoes, the Navy added.

Udaygiri, meanwhile, is the second among the seven Project 17A frigates under construction at MDSL, Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata. Project 17A is a follow-on to the Shivalik class (Project 17) frigates active in service.

According to the Navy, P-17A ships have enhanced stealth features and fitted with ‘State of the Art’ weapons and sensors, including supersonic surface-to-surface, and medium-range surface-to-air missile systems, and represent a quantum leap in Navy’s in-house design capabilities at the Warship Design Bureau.

Udaygiri may undergo some more trials before being commissioned.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Roshni has to her credit catching and relocating 800-odd snakes, most of them venomous, from human settlements in the state capital district of Thiruvananthapuram.

For almost six minutes, as she prodded a 16-foot-long king cobra to slide into a black bag, a crowd of onlookers waited anxiously, not sure if the snake would give in or attack the catcher. After all, it’s not common to see a woman forest officer tackle a venomous serpent and relocate it safely back to the forest.

On Sunday, forest beat officer G S Roshni accomplished the feat when she caught the king cobra from Anchumaruthumoodi residential area in Peppara, Thiruvananthapuram. The video of the rescue has since gone viral, garnering praise for the brave and confident woman officer.

Roshni has to her credit catching and relocating 800-odd snakes, most of them venomous, from human settlements in the state capital district of Thiruvananthapuram. A beat forest officer for the last eight years, Roshni is the only woman snake catcher in Kerala forest department. She is among the first batch of women forest officers in the state.

“This is the first time I caught a king cobra. It had been my dream since I started as a certified snake rescuer in the department in 2019. King cobra, a shy snake, is rarely seen outside the forest. While many snake catchers elsewhere in Kerala have rescued king cobras, I did not get such a chance in Thiruvananthapuram, where this species is rarely spotted,’’ said the Botany graduate.

Roshni, who heads the rapid response team (RRT) at Paruthippally forest range, was alerted about the king cobra in Anchumaruthumoodi near Peppara wildlife sanctuary. When she and her team reached the spot, the serpent was seen resting near a stream where local people often come for bathing. With a black bag and hook, Roshni stepped into the water and in the next six minutes the snake was safely in the bag, secured with a knot, as the crowd heaved a sigh of relief.

“I never use gumboots and hand gloves while rescuing snakes. It is risky to catch a king cobra mainly because of its length. When you catch the tail of a king cobra, its length enables it to swiftly turn against you and attack. To save itself, a king cobra can coil with its head and tail on a single point,’’ she said.

Roshni said her office usually gets around two dozen calls a day regarding snake spotting in residential areas.

On snake catching, she said, “You need courage and presence of mind. Concentration is very important. We have to weigh our safety, the snake’s safety and that of the onlookers. I enjoy catching snakes and have the support of my family. Many others have got trained over the years, but they might not have ventured into snake catching for want of support from family or courage,’’ she said.

Releasing the snakes into the forest is riskier than catching them, she said. “Tied in a bag after being caught, the snake gets provoked while being released,’’ she said.

On days when she is away from office, Roshini leaves to rescue a snake in her car or scooter. “On most such occasions, there would be a snake in the trunk of the car or the storage of the scooter. I will be riding a scooter with a snake in the storage under the seat,’’ said Roshni.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

The inscription records a grant made by the Vijayanagar ruler Mallikarjuna to a Vedic scholar on Śaka 1378, Dhātru Āshāḍha ba. 11, corresponding to Monday, June 28, 1456 CE.

The first Indian epigraphical reference to Halley’s Comet has been discovered in a copper plate inscription dated 1456 CE belonging to the Vijayanagar period and preserved at the Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy temple in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. K. Munirathnam Reddy, Director, Epigraphy Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who announced the discovery, told The Hindu that the inscription was written in Sanskrit, using the Nagari script, and refers to the appearance of a comet and a subsequent meteor shower — events that historically coincide with the 1456 appearance of Halley’s Comet.

The inscription records a grant made by the Vijayanagar ruler Mallikarjuna to a Vedic scholar on Śaka 1378, Dhātru Āshāḍha ba. 11, corresponding to Monday, June 28, 1456 CE.

The grant was issued “in order to mitigate the great calamity believed to arise due to the appearance of a comet (dhūmakētu mahōtpāta śāntyartham), and the associated meteor shower (Prakāśyāya mahōtpāta śāntyartham)”, said Dr. Reddy.

The king donated a village named Simgapura, located in Kelajhasima of Hastinavati Vemṭhe, as an agrahāra to a Brahmin named Limgaṇarya, a Vedic scholar from Kaḍiyalapura. 

Dr. Reddy said this place was probably present-day Kaḍiyapulanka in Galividu mandalam, Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, and noted that the scholar was probably well versed in astronomy.

Dr. Reddy noted that while references to ‘dhumaketus’ (comets) were found in ancient and medieval Indian texts, this was the first inscriptional record that had been discovered.

“What makes this particularly significant,” he said, “is that the year mentioned in the inscription and the reference to the comet’s appearance matches the year in which Halley’s Comet was later established to have appeared,” said Dr. Reddy.

He explained that in traditional belief systems and from the available historical records, the appearance of a comet and meteor shower was considered inauspicious, and associated with misfortune and calamities in many parts of the world.

Dr. Reddy said the appearance of the comet and the beliefs surrounding it were vividly expressed in the inscription in the phrase: Prakāśyāya mahōtpāta śāntyartham dattavān vibhuḥ — meaning: this grant was made in order to pacify the calamities that may arise due to the illuminating comets and meteor shower upon the king and his kingdom.

The discovery of reference to comets in the inscription was made during the critical “line by line” editing of a set of 21 unpublished copper plate charters held by the Srisailam temple authorities. The collection, comprising 78 copper leaves, would soon be published in book form, he added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)