Media is essential to uphold the freedom of expression: TR Suresh
Mangaluru, Jan 5: In Democracy, media is essential to uphold the freedom of expression, opined police commissioner TR Suresh.
He was speaking at a felicitation programme jointly organised by the Mangaluru Press Club, DK District Union of Working Journalists and Press Bhavan Trust to felicitate Mahalinga Naik at the Urwa Church Hall here on Sunday.
Police commissioner appreciated the media persons for recognizing the achievements of a farmer and extending him moral support. "Felicitating this farmer (Mahalinga Naik) is a great programme," he said.
Solaced after drinking water at waterless place: Press Club Award Winner Amai Malinga Naik
Speaking after receiving the Press Club Award of 2018, Progressive farmer Amai Mahalinga Naika said, "People mocked me when I began to dig the suranga. But now, I feel solace when I see people coming to that waterless area getting drinking water," he said.
"Landlord Mahabala Bhat had gifted me 2 acres of barren land. Even after digging three surangas, water had remained elusive. People mocked me. But I did not stop. I resumed digging. Finally got water. Then I started growing paddy. Later I grew areca nut palms, coconut trees, cashew trees, banana saplings, and pepper vines," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
ISRO launches its heaviest satellite on ‘Bahubali’ rocket
Bengaluru: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday successfully launched its heaviest satellite to date, marking a major milestone in India’s space programme.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3)-M6 rocket lifted off with the 6.10-tonne BlueBird-6 Block-2 communication satellite of US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC) and released it accurately in the 518.50 km altitude circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
ALSO READ: Success of LVM-3 mission reinforces India's growing role in global commercial launch market: PM Modi
The launch took place at 8.55 am and the satellite released in its orbit at 9.11 am in what ISRO scientists described as a “textbook launch”.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan reportedly said this was the third commercial launch using the LVM3 rocket and the first time it was used exclusively for a foreign communication satellite. He said that this mission was also the ninth launch mission of the LVM3, with all launches so far being successful.
Until now, ISRO’s heaviest launch was the 4.40-tonne GSAT-7R satellite placed in orbit in November 2025 for the Indian Navy. The BlueBird-6 satellite now surpasses that record, making it the heaviest payload launched by ISRO.
Explaining the BlueBird Block-2 Mission, the team said the satellite, which will be a part of a constellation of other similar satellites under the mission will provide faster 4G and 5G services and video calls. It also aims at enhancing network connectivity with locations where there were hassles earlier. AST SpaceMobile has launched five satellites, Bluebird 1-5 in September 2024, which provide continuous coverage across the US and other select countries.
As per the report, the LVM3-M6 has injected the satellite in the 518.50 km circular LEO orbit at a 53-degree inclination to the equator. It is just 1.5 km lower than the designated orbit, and is considered accurate. This precise placement is also an achievement marked by the ISRO team, said Narayanan.
The satellite had arrived at Sriharikota in October, and the launch was earlier postponed due to technical reasons before being successfully carried out on December 24, officials said.
