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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik have congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the successful flight tests of the indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) 'Astra', equipped with an indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker. The missile was test-fired from a Sukhoi-30 Mk-I fighter jet off the coast of Odisha, marking a significant achievement in India's pursuit of self-reliance in critical defence technologies. Taking to social media platform X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed the achievement, stating, "Congratulations to @DRDO_India & @IAF_MCC on the successful trials of Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) 'ASTRA' with an indigenous RF seeker from Su-30 Mk-I off the coast of Odisha. This is a proud moment showcasing India's growing defence capabilities and Odisha's crucial role in strategic advancements and indigenous aerospace technologies. A significant step towards self-reliance in critical defence systems." Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also expressed pride in Odisha hosting the test, "Proud to share that the successful flight-test of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, equipped with an indigenous RF seeker, was conducted today off the coast of Odisha -- from our very own Chandipur range. As someone deeply rooted in Odisha's journey of progress, it's a moment of pride to witness our state play host to such a milestone in India's defence innovation. Kudos to DRDO, IAF, and the many public and private contributors who made this possible. Precision, performance, and pride -- Astra reflects our nation's growing self-reliance and technical brilliance." Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also congratulated DRDO, stating on X, "Congratulate @DRDO_India on the successful flight-test of indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile (BVRAAM) 'Astra' equipped with indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker from Su-30 Mk-I platform off the coast of #Odisha." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the tests were conducted on Friday and involved two missile launches against high-speed unmanned aerial targets under varying ranges, target aspects, and platform conditions. In both cases, the missiles intercepted and destroyed the targets with pinpoint accuracy, validating the system's performance. The indigenous RF seeker, designed and developed by DRDO, demonstrated exceptional performance, along with all other missile subsystems. The test was monitored using advanced tracking instruments at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. With a range exceeding 100 km, the Astra missile is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems. Its development involved collaboration between multiple DRDO laboratories and over 50 Indian industries, both public and private, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
The annual 'Kartheeka Brahmotsavams' began at the temple of Goddess Sri Padmavati Ammavaru at Tiruchanur here on November 28 (Thursday). Priests hoisted the 'Dhwajapatam', the sacred flag bearing the imprint of the divine elephant (the celestial carrier of Goddess Padmavati), atop the temple flag post as part of the 'Dhwajarohanam' ceremony, which signalled the formal launch of the nine-day fete. Under the guidance of the 'Pancharatra Agama' adviser Manikantha Swamy, the officiating priest (Kankana Bhattar), K. Srinivasacharyulu, and priest Babu Swamy conducted the rituals. Executive Office ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Winter Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed intense discussions on Tuesday over delays in drinking water projects, with senior BJD MLA Badri Narayan Patra making a striking admission. During the Question Hour, Patra attributed the party's setbacks in the 2024 Assembly elections to voter dissatisfaction stemming from unfulfilled promises regarding drinking water infrastructure. "I have personally experienced voters' anger over the non-completion of promised projects before the elections. Candidates who narrowly lost felt the brunt of this frustration ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 4 (ANI): BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Wednesday met Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake claim to form the Mahayuti government. BJP's Central Observers for the state, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani were also present at the meet. Also Read | Stock Market Today: Indian Stock Market Ends in Green, All Eyes on RBI's MPC Decision on Repo Rate. Fadnavis is scheduled to take oath as the Chief Minister on December 5 after being unanimously chosen as Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislati ...Read More >
BJP member Manas Dutta blamed the previous BJD government and held it responsible for not extending their service agreement which ended in April, 2024. As hundreds of women working as support staff under the Mission Shakti department staged a demonstration outside the Assembly over different issues, the opposition BJD on Monday demanded immediate release of their salaries. While the agitating women were shouting slogans at the Mahatma Gandhi Road leading to the Assembly, the issue was raised in ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 11 (ANI): A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation, led by senior leaders, met Himachal Pradesh Governor Pratap Shukla recently to submit a comprehensive 106-page memorandum titled "Kachcha Chittha". The document, which alleges rampant corruption and administrative failures in the two years of Congress rule under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, aims to hold the state government accountable for what the BJP describes as a period of "unprecedented mismanagement and destruction." Speaking to the media after meeting the Governor, Himachal Prade ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
Traffic Diversions for oath-taking: The swearing-in ceremony of the new Maharashtra Chief Minister will be held at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai tomorrow, December 5. Mumbai Traffic Police has issued an advisory in view of the event. The traffic diversions will remain in place from 12 PM tomorrow till the end of the programme. Devendra Fadnavis was on Wednesday unanimously elected as Maharashtra BJP legislature party's leader, paving the way for his swearing-in as the chief minister for a third time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders are set to attend the grand swearing-in cerem ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a noisy scene as Opposition BJD and Congress members held protests inside the House over alleged non-payment of salaries to around 60,000 women supporting staffers under the 'Mission Shakti' scheme. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP government of "conspiring to stop" salaries of the 'Mission Shakti' staff. As soon as the Question Hour began, the BJD and Congress members trooped to the well of the House and demanded immediate release of salaries of around 60,000 women supporting staff working under the 'Mission Shakti' sch ...Read More >
Guwahati: A group of intellectuals and prominent citizens met the officials of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and demanded the immediate release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh. Various other organisations also organised protest rallies and demonstrations against the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. The intellectuals under the banner of 'Forum for Protection of Minorities in Bangladesh' urged the Bangladesh caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to make all efforts to protect the minorities in Bangla ...Read More >
Bhawanipatna: Odisha on Tuesday remembered freedom fighter and tribal icon Rando Majhi on his 169th martyrdom day. Rando headed a movement against the British from 1853 till he was shot dead by the police two years later. Taking to X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said: "A humble tribute to the great freedom fighter, tribal leader Rando Majhi, on his Sacrifice Day. His dedication and sacrifice for the protection of motherland will always be remembered." Rando, along with his 19 associates, was gunned down by British police while taking rest at Urladani in Kalahandi district on December 10, ...Read More >
As a part of the new agreement between Mazagon Dock and BEML, Mazagon Docks will make facilities available to BEML's research team in exchange for their technical support to design and manufacture strategic equipment, reported PTI. The government-owned BEML Ltd. (formerly known as Bharat Earth Movers Ltd) announced on Wednesday, November 27, that it has signed an agreement with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders to develop technologies for the marine industry, news agency PTI reported. According to the company statement cited by the agency, the company aims to leverage the opportunity to expand its e ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Famous producer Ektaa Kapoor has met Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in Odisha Assembly on Tuesday and thanked him for declaring 'The Sabarmati Report' tax-free in Odisha. She had urged Chief Minister Majhi and the Council of Ministers to watch the film. On November 28 Odisha government declared to remove the entertainment tax from 'The Sabarmati Report', informed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mukesh Mahaling. The movie is produced by her. Taking to his X handle, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, "People's government has decided to make the film 'Sabarmati Report' based on ...Read More >
Itanagar, Dec 5 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh government has inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Indian Army for the maintenance and upkeep of the Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing Museum of Valour in Tawang district. The memorandum was signed by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kangki Darang and Brigadier VS Rajput of the 190 Mountain Brigade on Wednesday in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. With this agreement, the museum will be effectively managed solely by the Indian Army, an official statement said here on Thursday. On the occasion, Khandu paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai P ...Read More >
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state. Rainfall figures show significant precipitation in multiple areas. Meanwhile, Northern India braces for a cold wave beginning December 9, with the IMD forecasting plunging temperatures in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.Schools acros ...Read More >
The Delhi BJP also shared a rap song "Delhi ka millionaire" alleging corruption against the party's top leadership. In a recently-released video, the Delhi BJP has given a tour of the luxurious bungalow of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, where he lived while serving as the Chief Minister of the state. The party also shared a rap song "Delhi ka millionaire" alleging corruption against the party's top leadership. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, who shared the video on X, called the Civil Lines bu ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: The BRS leaders and activists performed "palaabhishekam" to Telangana Talli statues across the state on Tuesday as part of their protests against the state government changing the statue design. Describing the Telangana Talli statue as a legacy of the statehood movement, BRS MLC and Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha condemned the state government's unilateral decision to replace the historic symbol. Kavitha performed "palaabhishekam" and "panchamrutam abhishekam" to the Telangana Talli statue at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad. Alleging that the symbol of Mother Telangana was ...Read More >
The Sena UBT chief spokesperson was reacting to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad's comment that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc. Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that his party was open to discuss if someone outside of the Congress party should lead the Opposition INDIA bloc. Speaking in New Delhi Delhi, Raut said that all the constituents of the INDIA bloc are willing to have a discuss ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched an investigation into three cases of violence in Manipur, including the abduction and killing of six women and children from the State's Jiribam district on November 11. The anti-terror agency re-registered three cases afresh on November 13 after the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to hand over the cases to it considering the gravity of the offences amid escalating violence in the strife-torn State. "The objective is to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the brutal attacks," an NIA spokesperson said on Tuesday (November 26, 2024). Last ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: A political slugfest erupted after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was stopped from visiting violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, with the BJP accusing the Congress leader of attempting to incite communal tensions. BJP leaders criticised Gandhi's visit as a desperate political move, driven by competition with the Samajwadi Party (SP) to reclaim vote banks. Meanwhile, Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, slammed the government's actions as undemocratic and an assault on constitutional rights. BJP spokesperson Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi described the visit as a "sign of h ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 10 (PTI) 'I'm Still Here' (Portugal), a 2024 political biographical drama film directed by Walter Salles will be the opening film of the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) beginning here on December 13. The movie, a Brazil-France co-production, deals with the story of a mother and activist searching for her missing husband, a dissident politician during the military dictatorship in Brazil. The festival will be officially inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function to be held at the Nisagandhi auditorium on December 13 evening, St ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday greeted the people on the occasion of 75th Constitution Day. On social media handle X, Kharge said, "The Constitution of India, painstakingly and carefully drafted by our foremothers and forefathers, is the lifeblood of our nation. It guarantees us social, economic and political rights. It constitutes India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". He said, "Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity are not ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday arrived in Odisha and unveiled a statue of Santali writer and educator Pandit Raghunath Murmu here. She also visited the Adim Owar Jarpa Jaher, a sacred place for Santals, in Bhubaneswar and offered prayers. The President was accorded a warm welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), where she landed on a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to commence her five-day visit to Odisha. She was received at the airport by Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries. People standi ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday visited a private hospital in Thane for a "check-up," two days before a new CM is sworn in at an open ground ceremony in south Mumbai. Even as it is not known yet who would take oath as chief minister at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5, preparations are in full swing for the ceremony, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 2,000 VVIPs and some 40,000 supporters. Shinde, who had been staying at his private residence in Thane for the last few days, visited the hospital in the morning. "I ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram | 'I'm Still Here' (Portugal), a 2024 political biographical drama film directed by Walter Salles will be the opening film of the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) beginning here on December 13. The movie, a Brazil-France co-production, deals with the story of a mother and activist searching for her missing husband, a dissident politician during the military dictatorship in Brazil. The festival will be officially inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function to be held at the Nisagandhi auditorium on December 13 evening, State Culture ...Read More >
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule is consulting experts on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) following Maharashtra's assembly poll results. The opposition questions EVM credibility after the Mahayuti coalition's significant win. Sule advocates for ballot papers, citing other countries' adoption, and will announce a final decision soon.NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday said the opinion of experts is being sought over the "EVM issue" in the wake of the Maharashtra assembly polls' mandate as she b ...Read More >
Bhopal: The Gita recitation programme by the Madhya Pradesh government has found a place in the Guinness World Records. "More than 7,200 'acharyas' and 'vatuks' collectively recited the third chapter 'Karma Yoga' on Wednesday, making a record," a statement issued by the government said. The event was parallely organised at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground and Ujjain to mark the sacred occasion of Gita Jayanti. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the collective recitation of the Gita by thousands of Acharyas in Bhopal and Ujjain has been registered in the 'Guinness Book of World Records'. He con ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >
Tensions mounted in the Bihar assembly as opposition MLA Bhai Virendra threatened to sit in the chief minister's seat, leading to an adjournment. Senior RJD leaders protested seat arrangements, demanding action against defected MLAs who joined the ruling side. The Speaker assured swift attention to the grievances. Tensions rose sharply in the Bihar assembly on Thursday due to an incident involving opposition MLA Bhai Virendra, who threatened to occupy the chief minister's reserved seat, provoking anger from the Speaker. The commotion began after the chief minister exited post-Question Hour, ...Read More >