Gurugram Boy, 12, Wants Online Classes, Sends Bomb Threat To School

A 12-year-old student of a private school allegedly sent a bomb threat e-mail to the institution in an attempt to shift to online classes, police said on Saturday.

An FIR was registered at the Cyber Crime (South) police station and the student was identified, they said.

According to a Gurugram police spokesperson, on December 18, a complaint was received from the authorized person of Shriram Millennium school, sector 65 regarding the school receiving a bomb threat on their email.

Investigations traced the e-mail to be of a 12-year-old boy, Station House Officer Naveen Kumar said.

During interrogation the boy revealed that he is a student of the same school and he had sent the e-mail with the intention of prompting the school to switch to online classes, the SHO said.

"He said that he had mistakenly sent the mail without understanding the gravity of his actions. The student is cooperating with the investigation and a probe is underway", the spokesperson said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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ISRO Drafts Its First 'POEM' To Study How Life Works In Space

India for the very first time is flying biological experiments into space using a homegrown rocket. The next launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will see not one, but three biological experiments with living cells being rocketed into space. Keeping living things alive in the hostile near vacuum of space is a hugely challenging task.

India will fly living biological material from plants such as spinach, cowpea, and gut bacteria - three different experiments are being planned to be flown onboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4).

Keeping any organism alive in space is a challenge as all life support systems have to be provided in a small sealed box. The results of the experiments also have to be gathered remotely. This is on the fourth stage of the PSLV which the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) makes available to academics to conduct experiments in the real space environment.

"In a first such venture, ISRO is flying live biological experiments into space from India. We would have had to start studies on astrobiology sooner than later, and now ISRO will write a whole new poem using the PSLV experimental platform and let Indian biologists explore all aspects of how life can survive in the hostile environment of space," ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath said.

The next mission of the PSLV named C-60, scheduled very soon, is actually a hugely experimental mission with the main experiment being the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) where ISRO will show for the first time docking and undocking of two Indian satellites in space.

A flask with special cells of the spinach plant that will be flown into space by ISRO. Photo courtesy: Amity University, Mumbai

But in an effort to promote testing of new ideas and technologies, ISRO has made the POEM platform available to Indian start-ups and its own in-house scientific teams to try out novel ideas. In the next mission, 24 payloads will be tested on the fourth stage of the PSLV.

The biological experiments being flown may seem small and elementary in comparison to the huge biological experiments conducted onboard global space stations, but then at some point ISRO had to initiate studies of how life forms perform in space.

It is a small biological step by ISRO that will propel India closer to the Gaganyaan mission where India seeks to fly an Indian into space from Indian soil on an Indian rocket. More detailed experiments could also be planned on the Bhartiya Antariksha Station that will come up by 2035.

Scientists from Amity University, Mumbai are testing how cells of common spinach perform in the near zero gravity environment of space. Scientists from the Amity Centre for Excellence in Astrobiology led by Dr AW Santhosh Kumar, Vice Chancellor, and his nine-member team are trying to decipher how a mass of cells derived from Spinacea oleracea will perform in space.

The astrobiology team from the Mumbai-based Amity Centre for Excellence in Astrobiology led Dr AW Santhosh Kumar, Vice Chancellor, along with the small instrument seen in the foreground. Photo courtesy: Amity University, Mumbai

Rather than flying full spinach plants tissue culture, grown cells will be used as an experimental model.

Dr Kumar said his team has designed a biological payload to be set on orbit through ISRO with an objective to study the possibility of food and nutrition during space missions. The experiment aims at real time monitoring of the biological payload in space.

Dr Kumar in his earlier avatar as a researcher in the US has flown human cell samples to the International Space Station and so, he has experience of conducting astrobiology experiments.

In another live experiment using gut bacteria, undergraduate students from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru are flying RVSAT-1, India's first microbiological payload.

PSLV that will fly the biology experiments and the SPADEX mission

In an enclosed capsule, the gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron will be sent into space to better understand them. The team wants to explore the implications of bacterial growth on gut health and gene regulation, providing valuable data for understanding human physiology in space.

An in-house team of ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, using the Compact Research Module for orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) will demonstrate how seeds and leaves of cowpea germinate in near zero gravity environment of space. Seedlings lose orientation when grown in microgravity conditions.

"Studying plant growth in space is new to ISRO and the 15-member team is very excited to see the results," said T Latha, Deputy Director of VSSC.

Dr Somanath said these are the first baby steps that could result in mega biological experiments to be undertaken onboard the Bharatiya Antariksha station.

"Supporting startups and researchers outside ISRO greatly helps India's large scientific pool get a feel of the space environment," Dr Somanath said.

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Six-Storey Building Collapses In Punjab's Mohali, Five Feared Trapped

A six-storey building collapsed in Mohali district in Punjab on Saturday evening, trapping five people under the debris, officials said.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and one person has been rescued and taken to the hospital.

"Operation is underway. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and fire teams are at the spot. The reason behind this mishap will be investigated," Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Pareek told the media.

Authorities estimate five people may be trapped under the rubble.

A National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) team has reached the spot. The fire brigade is also participating in the operation.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, Anandpur Sahib MP Malwinder Singh Kang and Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh reached the spot to oversee the rescue operation.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a post on X said, "Sad news has been received that a multi-storey building near Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) has collapsed. The entire administration and other rescue teams have been deployed at the spot. I am in constant touch with the administration."

"We pray that there is no loss of life, we will also take action against the culprits. Appeal to the people to cooperate with the administration," he added.

A local resident said a loud noise was heard when the building collapsed. Preliminary information suggests that the building collapsed after a basement was dug in a nearby area.

Media reports say a gym was operating on all three floors of the building that has collapsed and five to eight people may be trapped under the debris.

Teams of the NDRF, police and district administration are on the spot and are carrying out rescue and relief operations on the site of the accident. Medical teams have also been kept on standby.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Indian Businessman Ravi Pillai Receives Bahrain's Topmost Award

Indian businessman Dr Ravi Pillai has been awarded Bahrain's prestigious national honour, the Medal of Efficiency, in recognition of his significant contributions to the progress and development of the kingdom, making him the only foreign national to receive the title.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of Bahrain, awarded the prestigious national honour to Mr Pillai, chairman of RP Group, on December 16.

“This esteemed award reflects His Majesty's deep appreciation for Dr Pillai's outstanding contributions to the Kingdom, particularly in the fields of refinery operations, local community development, and the strengthening of Bahrain's global position,” the Royal Order said.

“We appreciate Dr Ravi Pillai for his exceptional service and contributions to the Kingdom, and we are honored to present him with this distinguished award as a sign of our deep gratitude,” the king said in the royal proclamation.

With a turnover of USD 12 billion, his business is the largest employer of Indians outside India, the release said, adding, with 1,26,000 employees, his group is one of the largest remitters of foreign currency to India.

Mr Pillai is also one of the largest investors in India, where he has six five star hotels, two hospitals and three shopping malls and plans to invest USD 2 billion in the next two years in India.

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Mr Pillai said, “This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of my team, the support of the people of Bahrain, and the unwavering trust of the Kingdom. I dedicate this award to all the hardworking employees who supported me all these years.” He also added that he dedicates the honour to “all the Indians, especially the expats in the Gulf, whose contributions have been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the region.” 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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High-Security Jail To Come Up In Mumbai As State Passes Prison Reform Bill

The Maharashtra legislative assembly here on Friday passed a bill seeking to reform the prison system in the state.

The Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024, is based on the Model Prisons Bill, 2023, sent by the Centre to the states, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the House.

A high-security prison and detention centre will be set up in Mumbai, while a new prison being built in Pune will be a two-storey facility, he added.

A plot of land has been finalised for the new prison in Mumbai, the CM said.

As many as 1,600 accused who have got bail continue to stay in prison in the state for the lack of money to pay for bail bond, he informed.

The bill provides for categories of prisons such as special prison, open prison for women, temporary prison and open colony. Open prisons and open colonies will help with rehabilitation and reintegration of former jail inmates after their release, Fadnavis said.

The bill also provides for the constitution of a 'prison and correctional prison force'.

A welfare fund for prison staff and another fund for the welfare of prisoners is also an important feature of the legislation, the CM said.

It also provides for better segregation of various categories of prisoners and their special needs as women, transgenders, under-trial prisoners, convicts, high-risk prisoners and habitual offenders.

The bill also makes provisions for a grievance-redressal mechanism for prisoners, after-care rehabilitation service, and a separate women's ward in prison hospitals.

An undertrial review committee will be set up in every district for periodical review of all undertrial prisoners and to take measures for speedy disposal of cases and make appropriate recommendations to trial courts.

Technology including biometrics, closed-circuit television (CCTV), scanning and detection services, Radio Frequency Identification and video conference facilities will be used for effective management and supritendence of prisons and to ensure the safety of inmates, the CM said.

The entire prison administration will be computerized, the chief minister said.

Congress MLA Nana Patole and Sanjay Kute (BJP) said prison reforms should not lead to a situation where criminals would like to remain in jail. There should be no lavishness, they said.

D Fadnavis assured that there would be no "five-star facility", adding that the reforms aim to protect human rights of jail inmates.

Kute said social health will be affected if criminals get lavish treatment in jail.

Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT) said artificial intelligence should be used to create digital footprint of prisoners so that care can be taken after a prisoner walks out of the jail. D Fadnavis said the use of AI for this purpose will take time.

Sana Malik (NCP) said the right to health is part of the right to life. Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail has the capacity to accomodate 804 inmates but some 3,000 prisoners are lodged there, she claimed.

D Fadnavis conceded that the number of doctors available is small in view of the number of prison inmates. "We will focus on reducing the number of undertrials," the chief minister said.

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"Sanatan Dharma Is National Religion Of India": Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday asserted the "Sanatan Dharma is the national religion of India", and said that it is the collective responsibility of every citizen to protect it.

Yogi Adityanath participated in the Ashtottarshat 108 Shrimad Bhagwat Paath and Panch Narayan Mahayagya held at Asharfi Bhawan Ashram in Ayodhya. As part of the Mahayagya, the UP Chief Minister offered oblations amidst Vedic chants, praying for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of the people of Uttar Pradesh, the UP government said in a statement.

Addressing the gathering, the UP Chief Minister said, "The Sanatan Dharma is the national religion of India, and it is the collective responsibility of every citizen to protect it." He highlighted how religion and culture foster positivity and peace in the society.

Reflecting on the historical attacks on sacred temples, he said that the clans of those who desecrated these holy sites have met their downfall.

Citing an example, he said, "Today, the descendants of (Mughal ruler) Aurangzeb are driving rickshaws. Their plight is the result of their destructive actions. Had they upheld righteousness and refrained from demolishing temples, would they be in such a state?" The UP chief minister emphasised the need to learn from the mistakes of the past that led India into the shackles of slavery and resulted in the desecration of its sacred sites.

He urged all Indians to unite in protecting and preserving Sanatan Dharma, asserting that respecting this eternal religion is essential for safeguarding humanity.

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Parents On Mumbai Ferry Planned To Throw Their Kids In Water: CISF Rescuers

The panic-stricken parents onboard an ill-fated tourist ferry were thinking of tossing their children into the sea water as a desperate measure after their boat started sinking off Mumbai, but a team of CISF marine commandos stopped them with an assurance that everyone will be saved.

CISF constable Amol Savant (36) and his two colleagues became the "first responders" after the December 18 accident. Their patrol boat reached the accident site off the Mumbai coast around 4 pm, and they decided to utilise the "golden hour" for first saving the most vulnerable, including the children.

Fourteen people were killed after a Navy boat rammed into the tourist ferry -- 'Neel Kamal' -- on way to the Elephanta Island from the Gateway of India in Mumbai late Wednesday afternoon.

"We were on routine patrol at some distance off the shore when our walkie talkie crackled to inform us that a passenger ferry was sinking. I asked the pilot (speed boat driver) to go full throttle and we reached the accident site about 3-4 kms away in no time," Savant told PTI here.

He said he was "astonished to see the accident site. But being a trained soldier, I understood what was to be done and how." "We saw people were ready to throw their children in the ocean water thinking that they would be saved from the sinking ship. I asked them not to panic and not attempt this. We took charge of the situation soon," said the jawan, who is posted with the CISF unit that guards the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Navi Mumbai.

Savant said he too was "shaken initially when he reached the site but then when I saw the children hanging dangerously from whatever was left of the sinking ferry and their helpless parents, I and my colleagues just caught hold of the children and brought them in our boat." The jawan says they rescued about 6-7 children in the first go followed by women and men.

"There were many hands raised towards us, some screaming, some just requesting to save them. We don't know how many exactly but we were able to help and rescue as many as 50-60 people who were onboard that ill-fated ferry," Savant, who joined the CISF in 2010, said.

Sub Inspector (SI) Kheioka Sema (38), posted with the CISF unit that provides counterterrorist security cover to the JNPA, was in the second patrol boat that reached the spot.

"I saw a lady who was in the water wearing a life jacket but she had raised her hands in anticipation that she would be rescued. We rushed to her and gently asked her to put her hands down else the jacket would slip and she would start drowning," Sema said.

She was saved, he said.

SI Sema, who joined the paramilitary force in 2018, said they administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to maybe 10-12 persons to bring them back to senses and drain out the water they had swallowed.

The two CISF personnel, who had come to Delhi for official work, said a foreigner couple onboard the ferry acted as 'Good Samaritans' as they came forward for help and administered CPR to a number of victims.

"We fanned out to scan about a 300-metre radius looking for life. Our teams also picked up bags, life jackets and other stuff from the ocean water the passengers of 'Neel Kamal' were carrying," Sema said.

The two personnel and their other colleagues have been trained in marine operations, commando tactics and amphibious survival and combat techniques.

"Our personnel who are posted to guard sea ports are essentially trained in marine commando operations, combat and survival techniques. They provide an armed security cover to such facilities against any sabotage or terrorist threat," CISF chief spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Deepak Verma said.

"These men and women are also taken to the Chilika lake in Odisha as part of a special marine training capsule. We are proud of these personnel who were part of the rescue operation in Mumbai," he said.

The force, as per officials, will recommend the names of the personnel who were involved in this rescue operation for the 'Jeevan Raksha Padak' (or the life saving medal) apart from granting them the highest recognition in their service records.

"The accident site was way beyond the area of responsibility of our two security units deployed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Mumbai Port Trust but the personnel displayed fine professionalism and devotion to duty by being the first responders to the tragedy and saving numerous lives," a senior CISF officer said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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