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Nano-sulphur can boost India's mustard yields by 20-30%: TERI scientist

Nano-sulphur can boost India's mustard yields by 20-30%: TERI scientist

Field research by TERI shows nano-sulphur can push mustard yield by 25-30 per cent similar to genetically modified DMH-11 trials but by using conventional varieties
Sanjeeb Mukherjee New Delhi
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Can extensive use of nano-sulphur address India's persistent problem of low oilseeds yields—a major barrier to self-sufficiency?
Scientists at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) believe so.
Sulphur is one of the essential soil nutrients, after nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. TERI scientists claim that a key difference between their nano-sulphur formulation and other nano products such as nano urea and nano diammonium phosphate (DAP) is that their product is completely green, developed using biological agents like plant growth-promoting bacteria that release enzymes and metabolites.
These enzymes and metabolites facilitate the conversion of bulk material into nanoparticles.

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Will Shubhanshu Shukla speak to PM Modi from space?  Indian astronaut answers
Will Shubhanshu Shukla speak to PM Modi from space?  Indian astronaut answers

India Today

time4 days ago

  • India Today

Will Shubhanshu Shukla speak to PM Modi from space? Indian astronaut answers

As Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for his landmark journey aboard the Axiom-4 Mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), speculation is rife: Will he make a historic phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from space, echoing iconic moments in space history?While answering the question by India Today, Shukla indicated that there is an interaction with a VIP and with students, educators and academia. However, he did not name the set to launch on June 10, will become only the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma and the first to visit the ISS. This mission not only marks India's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades but also rekindles memories of legendary conversations between astronauts and national RAKESH SHARMA SPOKE TO PM INDIRA GANDHIThe precedent for a phone call from space was set in 1984, when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, spoke directly with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during his mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz a now-legendary exchange, Gandhi asked Sharma how India looked from space, to which he famously replied, 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' (better than the entire world).This conversation became a defining moment in Indian space history, inspiring generations and symbolising national Sharma later recalled, jokingly, that the phone call was easy as he was unable to see Indira Gandhi, and it was radio-based, which helped calm his nerves when talking to the prime one of the most memorable space-to-Earth calls occurred on July 20, 1969, when US President Richard Nixon spoke to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as they stood on the moon's words, delivered from the White House to the Sea of Tranquility, were broadcast to millions: 'This certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made from the White House'.The call, spanning nearly 240,000 miles, was all about the unifying power of space exploration and technological achievement at a time when the US and Russia were engaged in the Cold HISTORY REPEAT?While there is no official confirmation from the Prime Minister's Office yet of a scheduled call between Shukla and PM Modi, the symbolic significance would be a conversation would not only celebrate India's technological progress but also inspire a new generation, much like the exchanges with Indira Gandhi and Richard Nixon did decades Modi had earlier sent a letter to astronaut Sunita Williams, whose eight-day mission extended to eight months aboard the Space Station. 'Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts,' reflecting the pride of 1.4 billion Indians,' the letter Watch

'Saare Jahan Se Achha': When an Indian Fighter Pilot Became the Nation's Ambassador to the Stars
'Saare Jahan Se Achha': When an Indian Fighter Pilot Became the Nation's Ambassador to the Stars

India.com

time6 days ago

  • India.com

'Saare Jahan Se Achha': When an Indian Fighter Pilot Became the Nation's Ambassador to the Stars

"Saare Jahan Se Achha": When an Indian Fighter Pilot Became the Nation's Ambassador to the Stars On April 3, 1984, as the Soyuz T-11 rocket pierced through Earth's atmosphere carrying Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma toward the Salyut 7 space station, it wasn't just launching one man into orbit—it was catapulting an entire nation's dreams into the cosmic arena. What followed over the next seven days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes would become one of the most extraordinary chapters in India's quest to establish itself as a space-faring civilization. Born in Patiala, Punjab, on January 13, 1949, Sharma's journey to the stars began not in laboratories or observatories, but in the cockpit of MiG-21 fighter jets during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Flying 21 combat missions before his 23rd birthday, he embodied the fearless spirit that would later make him the perfect candidate for humanity's ultimate frontier. When the opportunity arose in 1982 to participate in a joint Indo-Soviet space mission, Sharma volunteered without hesitation—a decision that would transform him from a decorated Air Force pilot into India's first cosmic ambassador. The selection process was grueling. From 150 highly qualified IAF pilots, only two were chosen as cosmonaut candidates. Sharma's selection led him to the prestigious Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow, where he spent two years mastering Russian, adapting to freezing temperatures, following a rigorous 3,200-calorie diet, and undergoing Olympic-level physical training. Perhaps most tellingly, he endured a 72-hour claustrophobia test—locked alone in a room to simulate the psychological pressures of space confinement. But it was the mission itself that truly showcased India's ingenuity and cultural pride. As the 128th human to travel to space, Sharma didn't just carry scientific instruments aboard Salyut 7—he carried the essence of India. The Defence Food Research Lab in Mysore had prepared a special space menu: aloo chhole, suji halwa, and vegetable pulao, which he generously shared with his Soviet crewmates Yury Malyshev and Gennady Strekalov. In an era before globalization, this simple act of culinary diplomacy introduced authentic Indian flavors to the cosmos. The scientific agenda was ambitious and diverse. Over 43 experimental sessions, Sharma conducted groundbreaking research in biomedicine and remote sensing. One particularly intriguing experiment involved testing yoga's effects on the human body in microgravity—a perfect fusion of ancient Indian wisdom with cutting-edge space science. His photography of India from space saved the nation approximately two years' worth of aerial mapping work, demonstrating how space exploration could yield immediate practical benefits. Yet it was a spontaneous moment of patriotic eloquence that would define Sharma's legacy forever. During a joint television conference linking space with Earth, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi posed a simple question: 'How does India look from space?' Without missing a beat, Sharma replied with three words that would echo through generations: 'Saare Jahan Se Achha'—better than the entire world. This phrase, borrowed from Allama Iqbal's immortal patriotic poem, encapsulated not just national pride but the profound emotional impact of seeing one's homeland from the cosmic perspective. The space station itself represented the cutting edge of 1980s space technology. Salyut 7 was a modest facility by today's standards—measuring 14.4 meters in length with a maximum diameter of 4.15 meters and offering just 100 cubic meters of habitable space. Weighing 18,900 kilograms (about 19 tons), it orbited Earth at altitudes between 279-284 kilometers with an orbital inclination of 51.6 degrees. To put this in perspective, today's International Space Station dwarfs Salyut 7—stretching 109 meters end-to-end (nearly 2.5 times the length of an American football field) with 13,696 cubic feet of habitable volume and weighing 419,725 kilograms (over 20 times heavier than Salyut 7). The ISS orbits at a higher altitude of 370-460 kilometers, making it far more stable and visible from Earth. Yet what Salyut 7 lacked in size, it compensated for in pioneering spirit. The station featured two docking ports, three solar panels, electric stoves, a refrigerator, constant hot water, and even specialized portholes designed to allow ultraviolet light in to help kill infections. During its operational life from 1982 to 1991, it hosted 22 cosmonauts from 10 different crews, conducting everything from metallurgy experiments to astronomical observations. Remarkably, the station survived even being 'dead' for months—in 1985, it completely lost power and tumbled out of control until a daring rescue mission by cosmonauts Vladimir Dzhanibekov and Viktor Savinykh brought it back to life. Salyut 7 is no longer there. After serving far beyond its intended lifespan, the station met a dramatic end on February 7, 1991, when it made an uncontrolled reentry over Argentina. Despite Soviet attempts to guide its descent into the Atlantic Ocean, the 88,000-pound station broke apart in the atmosphere, showering metal fragments over the town of Capitán Bermúdez near Buenos Aires. Residents watched in awe as glowing trails streaked across their sky—a spectacular finale for a station that had pushed the boundaries of human space exploration. Sharma's mission was part of this remarkable legacy of international cooperation that would eventually evolve into today's multinational ISS program. The mission's success elevated India to become the 14th nation to send a human into space, but more importantly, it planted the seeds of a space-age national consciousness. When Sharma and his crew landed in Kazakhstan on April 11, 1984, they returned not just as successful astronauts but as harbingers of India's cosmic ambitions. The Soviet Union honored Sharma with the Hero of the Soviet Union award—making him the only Indian to receive this distinction—while India conferred its highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra, on all three crew members. The ripple effects of those eight days continue to resonate today. Sharma's mission proved that space exploration wasn't the exclusive domain of superpowers; it demonstrated that developing nations with vision, determination, and international cooperation could reach for the stars. His journey paved the way for India's indigenous space program, which today launches satellites for dozens of countries and prepares for its own Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. After retiring as Wing Commander, Sharma continued serving India's aerospace ambitions as Chief Test Pilot at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited until 2001. Today, at 76, he lives peacefully in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, spending his days gardening, reading, and practicing the same yoga he once tested in zero gravity. Yet he remains connected to India's space future as a member of the National Space Advisory Council for the Gaganyaan mission. As India prepares to send Shubhanshu Shukla as its second citizen to space on 8th June 2025, Rakesh Sharma's pioneering journey serves as both inspiration and roadmap. His mission proved that space exploration is ultimately about human curiosity, international cooperation, and the audacious belief that geographical boundaries—even Earth itself—need not limit human potential. In an age where private companies routinely launch tourists into space and Mars missions capture global imagination, it's worth remembering that India's space story began with one man's eight-day journey, a handful of carefully packed Indian meals, and three words that reminded the world that patriotism, when combined with scientific achievement, can indeed make any nation appear 'Saare Jahan Se Achha'—better than the entire world?

Baba Vanga predicts virus that could rapidly age humans by 2088
Baba Vanga predicts virus that could rapidly age humans by 2088

Time of India

time27-04-2025

  • Time of India

Baba Vanga predicts virus that could rapidly age humans by 2088

A resurfaced prophecy by Baba Vanga warns of a virus in 2088 causing rapid aging, sparking fears amid current global challenges. Known for past accurate predictions like 9/11, Vanga's vision raises concerns about genetic engineering and biological warfare. In a chilling revelation that blends mysticism with modern-day fears, a prophecy attributed to the late Bulgarian seer Baba Vanga has resurfaced, predicting a future where humanity may face a terrifying new threat: accelerated aging caused by an unknown virus. According to Vanga's visions, the year 2088 could mark the emergence of a mysterious contagion that speeds up the human aging process, drastically shortening lifespans and endangering the survival of future generations. While this prediction might seem decades away, it resonates uneasily in a world already grappling with unpredictable climate shifts, the rise of synthetic biology, and the looming threat of biological warfare. Vanga, often dubbed the 'Balkan Nostradamus,' has long fascinated followers with her eerily accurate forecasts. Though blind from a young age after a traumatic accident, she claimed to have developed the ability to see the future. Several of her earlier predictions have proven unsettlingly prescient, including the 9/11 attacks, the Kursk submarine disaster, the election of Barack Obama, and the assassination of Indira Gandhi. The newly spotlighted prediction about a virus that accelerates aging casts a shadow over the ongoing global discussions around genetic engineering, lab-grown pathogens, and the delicate balance between science and ethics. Experts in the fields of epidemiology and gerontology are increasingly vocal about how environmental stressors and man-made threats could potentially disrupt human biology in unforeseen ways. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Miss The Top Packaging Trends Of 2025 Enhance Your Brand With The Latest Insights Packaging Machines | Search Ads Search Now Undo A Chain of Warnings This alarming prophecy is part of a longer timeline Baba Vanga is said to have foreseen, with disturbing predictions mapped out for the decades ahead: 2025: Europe could splinter into smaller regions following political and social upheaval. 2028: Humanity may face severe global famine even as ambitious space missions aim for Venus. 2033: Rising sea levels due to climate change may put entire countries at risk of submersion. Though these forecasts remain unverifiable, they serve as haunting cautionary tales—especially when juxtaposed with our present vulnerabilities. Science or Superstition? While skeptics dismiss Vanga's predictions as pseudoscience, her track record still attracts attention from believers and curious onlookers alike. In an age when science fiction often blurs into reality, her visions tap into collective anxieties about the fragility of the human condition. Could a virus really accelerate aging? While no known disease functions in such a dramatic way, scientific research has explored conditions like progeria , a rare genetic disorder that causes premature aging in children. Hypothetically, if a pathogen could alter or trigger similar biological mechanisms on a mass scale, the consequences could be catastrophic. As the world navigates a post-pandemic reality with increasing dependence on biotech and AI, Baba Vanga's ominous vision for 2088 may be a wake-up call. Whether viewed as prophecy or parable, her words challenge humanity to consider the price of unchecked innovation—and the urgent need for global preparedness. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .

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