Sridhar Babu Outlines Telangana’s Chip and GCC Growth Vision Telangana IT Minister D Sridhar Babu said the state will continue seeking ISM 2.0 support for chip manufacturing while positioning Hyderabad as a growing GCC hub. He also outlined plans to attract technology investment to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.   Sridhar Babu Outlines Telangana’s Chip and GCC Growth Vision Bengaluru: Telangana is seeking stron

Kandula Jessie’s Journey From School Lab to Space Mission Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school, has been selected among 20 Indian participants for Mission ShakthiSAT. Her journey from a school tinkering lab to an international lunar CubeSat programme highlights the importance of STEM education, teacher support, and consistent effort. A Government School Dream Reaches for the Moon Dowleswaram, Andhra Pradesh, July 23, 2026: Fourteen-year-old Kandula Jessie has secured a place among 20 Indian participants selected for Mission ShakthiSAT, an international all-girls lunar CubeSat initiative. Jessie studies at Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dowleswaram and is reportedly the only student from Andhra Pradesh included in the final Indian group. She was selected through a programme involving nearly 12,000 girls from 108 countries. How Kandula Jessie Earned Her Place Jessie’s journey began at her school’s Atal Tinkering Lab. Her physical science teacher and laboratory in-charge, Manimala, recognised her interest in science and encouraged her to enrol in the programme. The Mission ShakthiSAT curriculum covers subjects far beyond the regular Class 10 syllabus. Its modules include satellite systems, propulsion, thermodynamics, payload development, and other areas of space technology. Jessie continued attending online classes after school, even when she found the advanced concepts difficult. The programme reportedly included around 550 online sessions across 21 learning modules. Her determination to understand unfamiliar subjects helped her progress through the demanding selection process. Selection Tested Knowledge and Communication Skills The selection process involved online coursework, an interview lasting around one hour, and a short video presentation. Jessie was asked to explain Mission ShakthiSAT and discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The interview was conducted entirely in English with international scientists and programme coordinators. Jessie spent weeks improving her communication skills with the support of her teachers and educational videos. Her selection reflected more than academic knowledge. It also demonstrated her willingness to improve, communicate confidently and continue learning despite the challenges. Family Supported Her Through Financial Difficulties Jessie’s father works as a carpenter. Her parents had earlier moved her from a private school to a government school because of financial difficulties. Her mother, Aruna, described watching Jessie confidently interact with international scientists as one of the family’s proudest moments. The achievement has also brought recognition to her school and the teachers who encouraged her scientific interests. Jessie’s success shows how timely guidance and access to practical learning opportunities can help students from modest backgrounds compete internationally. ShakthiSAT Training to Begin in New Delhi The next stage of Jessie’s programme is scheduled to begin in New Delhi on August 23, 2026. She is expected to work with scientists and other participants on satellite design, payload development, and mission operations. The student-built lunar CubeSat is proposed for launch from Sriharikota on October 11, 2026. The launch schedule may remain subject to technical and operational confirmation. Mission ShakthiSAT aims to give girls from different countries practical exposure to satellite development, space science and STEM education. The programme brings together students from 108 countries for scientific learning and collaborative space projects. Jessie Hopes to Join ISRO Jessie now hopes to build a career in space science and eventually join the Indian Space Research Organisation. Her selection has strengthened her belief that determination and regular effort can help her achieve that goal. She also hopes to support her parents and make her teachers and school proud. Her journey from a government-school laboratory to an international space programme underlines the value of Atal Tinkering Labs, supportive teachers, and accessible STEM opportunities. For students from financially constrained families, Jessie’s achievement offers a powerful message: scientific talent can emerge from any classroom when curiosity receives the right guidance.

Delhi EV Policy 2026: Cabinet Approves Big Push For Zero-Emission Transport By 2030 New Delhi, June 30: The Delhi Cabinet has approved a new Electric Vehicle Policy aimed at accelerating the capital’s shift towards zero-emission transport by 2030. The policy will be rolled out in phases over four years from July 1, 2026. Under the new policy, electric cars priced up to ₹30 lakh will be exempted from registration fees and road tax. The government has

Lightning Strikes Eiffel Tower During Paris Storm, But Landmark Remains Safe Lightning struck the Eiffel Tower during a thunderstorm in Paris, creating a dramatic scene that drew attention online. Although the strike looked intense, the famous landmark remains safe because of its metal structure and lightning protection system. A powerful lightning strike hit the Eiffel Tower during a thunderstorm in Paris, creating a striking visual that quickly caught

Mahima Rajput Selected For ShakthiSAT Mission With Students From 108 Countries A 14-year-old Indian student, Mahima Rajput, has been selected for the international space mission ShakthiSAT, a global student initiative that will bring together participants from 108 countries. Mahima, a Class 10 student from Chhattisgarh, will represent India in the mission, which aims to give young students hands-on exposure to space science, satellite development, and in

New Delhi, June 26: Passport applicants in India will have to pay higher fees from July 1, 2026, as the government has revised charges for fresh passports, reissues and replacement of lost or damaged passports. Under the revised rules, a fresh or reissued ordinary 36-page passport will cost Rs 2,500, while the Tatkal fee for the same category has been increased to Rs 5,000. Passport Fees Revised From Jul

Incident in South Delhi raises alarm On June 23, 2026, a disturbing incident was reported from the Mehrauli area of South Delhi after an 11-year-old girl allegedly went missing from a roadside footpath. The matter came to light early in the morning after police received a PCR call, prompting immediate action from multiple teams across Delhi. The disappearance triggered concern among residents and

Padma Shri Awardee Says Allotted Plot Is Still Out Of Reach Hyderabad, June 23, 2026: Padma Shri awardee and renowned Kinnera folk artist Darshanam Mogilaiah has sought government intervention after alleging that a 600-square-yard residential plot allotted to him in Telangana remains inaccessible due to a court dispute. Mogilaiah, who is widely known for keeping the rare Kinnera

Mamata Banerjee Named TMC Chairperson In EC List Amid Rebel Row The Trinamool Congress has submitted its latest office-bearers list to the Election Commission, naming Mamata Banerjee as the chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress amid a growing internal challenge from rebel leaders in West Bengal. The filing comes at a politically sensitive time for the party, as a dissid

Tata iPhone Parts Plant Faces Health Probe in Tamil Nadu After Farmer Complaints Tamil Nadu health officials are investigating complaints from farmers near Tata Electronics’ iPhone components factory in Hosur after concerns were raised over wastewater, groundwater quality, and reported skin-related issues. The plant, located in Ullugurukkai village, makes iPhone back covers and

Valentina Tereshkova Space Journey Turns 63 June 16, 2026, marks 63 years since Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel into space, a moment that changed the history of space exploration and inspired generations of women in science. On June 16, 1963, Tereshkova launched aboard the Soviet Vostok 6 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. She was

Pakistan Satellite Push Puts NavIC In Focus Pakistan’s recent launch of multiple Earth-observation satellites has raised fresh concern in India’s strategic circles. At the same time, India’s NavIC system is facing pressure due to ageing satellites, clock failures, and the NVS-02 setback. The situation has brought space security and sovereign navigation back into focus. Pakistan Satellite Build-Up Raises Concern Pakistan

Meenakshi Natarajan Nomination Row Reaches Supreme Court Meenakshi Natarajan’s rejected Rajya Sabha nomination has now become a major legal and political issue ahead of the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election. Meenakshi Natarajan Supreme Court Plea Escalates MP Rajya Sabha Row Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan has moved the Supreme Court after her nomination for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh was rejected, t

MP Rajya Sabha Nomination Row Deepens After Natarajan’s Papers Rejected The Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh has turned into a major political flashpoint after Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination was rejected over an affidavit-related issue, giving the BJP a possible edge in the battle for the third seat. The rejection has triggered a fresh BJP-Congress confrontation, w

Israel-Iran Tensions Rise As Trump Pushes Netanyahu To Avoid Retaliation Israel launched strikes on Iranian military targets after a missile barrage, raising fresh fears of a wider Middle East escalation. Israel Hits Back After Iran Missile Attack Israel launched fresh airstrikes on military targets in western and central Iran after Tehran fired missiles towards north