US, Russia eagerly await India sharing information of Chandrayaan-3: Jitendra Singh
Jammu (PTI): Union minister Jitendra Singh on Friday credited the success of the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of "unlocking the space sector" through public-private partnerships and said even the US and Russia eagerly await for India to share information on these projects.
Singh emphasised that the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions symbolise India's fast-growing development.
"Our missions started almost simultaneously. Chandrayaan-3's notable aspect was its landing on the southern pole (of the moon), an untouched region. We are gathering crucial data on the atmosphere, minerals and thermal conditions, and analysing the findings", he told reporters here.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir said globally, especially in the United States and Russia, who embarked on this journey much before India, there is keen anticipation for the latter to share information.
"The US made the first landing of a human on the moon in 1969. But it was our Chandrayaan-3 that brought evidence of the existence of water (on moon) -- the H2O molecule. It suggests the possibility for life (there). It is a significant area for investigation," he said.
Singh said even the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking India's support now.
"The US and Russia eagerly await India's sharing of information on it," he said.
"The Aditya mission has begun sending film. It is scheduled to commence work in January. It has garnered significant media coverage, with 10,000 people witnessing its launch at Sriharikota (in Andhra Pradesh)," the minister said.
He said Modi's initiative opened up Sriharikota and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for public-private partnerships, fostering more than 150 startups in the space sector.
"During the last three to four years, we have had more than 150 startups in the space sector. Some have already become entrepreneurs," he added.
Thanks to this, talented youngsters, who were previously compelled to seek opportunities abroad, are now flourishing in the space sector domestically, Singh said.
"Youngsters used to leave the country because they did not have any opportunity here despite their specialisation in the field. Modiji unlocked the space sector," he said.
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Missing Indian student’s body found in Scotland river
London, Dec 30: The body of a 22-year-old Indian student missing since earlier this month has been found in a river in Scotland and her family has been informed while formal identification is awaited.
Santra Saju from Kerala was enrolled at the Heriot-Watt University in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Police Scotland said in a statement over the weekend that they were made aware of a body in a river near Newbridge, a village near Edinburgh.
“Around 11.55am on Friday, December 27, 2024, police were made aware of a body found in the water near to Newbridge,” Police Scotland said.
“Formal identification has still to take place however the family of Santra Saju, 22, has been informed. The death is not believed to be suspicious,” the police said.
The statement added that a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal, Scotland's prosecution service and death investigation body.
Saju was last caught on CCTV at an Asda supermarket store in Almondvale, Livingston, on December 6 evening.
An urgent missing person’s appeal was issued by the police, describing Saju as being around 5 feet 6 inches in height, of Indian ethnicity, slim build, with short black hair.
She was wearing a black jacket with a fur-lined hood, beige furry earmuffs and a black facemask. Enquiries also revealed she had a black rucksack in her possession. The police appeal encouraged anyone who may recognise her to come forward with any information.
Inspector Alison Lawrie from Corstorphine Police Station said in a statement at the time: “We now know that Santra picked up a black and white shopper style bag from an address in Burnvale on Friday evening, but she did not have it when she entered the supermarket.
"The bag is distinctive and someone may remember seeing her carrying it. We are continuing to review CCTV footage and have released images of Santra from the supermarket in the hope that someone recognises her. Extensive enquiries are being carried out in an effort to trace her.”
Her friends and family had said the disappearance was out of character and had become very worried for her safety.
