Latest news with #SSomanath
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
India stepping up space life sciences push: Experts
BENGALURU: 's space research priorities are expanding to include the chemistry of life's origins and the biology of survival beyond Earth, experts said on Wednesday at the second Symposium on Genesis and Evolution of Organics in Space here. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now More than 70 scientists from India and abroad, including from Isro, Raman Research Institue, Institute of Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research , Physical Research Laboratory, IITs, IISERs, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics and international institutes from France, Italy, Denmark, and the Netherlands, participated in the even held at GITAM (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. They discussed how complex organic molecules, considered precursors to life, form and evolve in extraterrestrial environments. 'This is just the beginning phase of understanding life… There's a possibility for people from different domains to come together to seek, understand, and create the infrastructure to develop this across communities. It is very exciting for people to talk about alternate chemistries and methods by which life can be created,' former Isro chairman S Somanath , said. His predecessor, AS , echoed this view, saying events like this are significant in addressing different aspects of life and visualising the human desire to create life from non-life entities. We need to make a difference in the way we understand the universe. The symposium is part of the Organics in Space Initiative, which seeks to build collaborative research capacity in astrochemistry, planetary organics, and microbial biology in space. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Participants discussed payload design for life-detection, catalytic processes in interstellar environments, and studies of biosignatures. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman , CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), said: 'India's scientific ecosystem is evolving, and deep space research and life sciences must unite to address the challenges of exploration and sustainability. Events like this symposium help define national research priorities.' RRI director Prof Tarun Souradeep , added that bottom-up consortiums can work. 'The LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) India project was proposed from an undefined consortium, yet that went through. It is heartening to see similar models developing here.' The symposium will generate draft proposals, collaborative white papers, and working groups.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Former ISRO chief S Somanath joins Skyroot Aerospace as honorary chief technical advisor
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Former Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO ) chairman S Somanath , who spearheaded the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing mission, was appointed honorary chief technical advisor at Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace on a launch vehicle expert , will advise Skyroot as it prepares for the launch of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle. The 23-meter-tall rocket is India's first carbon-composite space launch vehicle and features a liquid-engine-powered Orbital Adjustment Module that will precisely manoeuvre in the vacuum for last-mile delivery of satellites. The upcoming launch builds on Skyroot's successful technology demonstration launch in 2022 with Vikram-S, India's first private rocket to reach space under the guidance of startup on Thursday also announced a key partnership with Axiom Space , which launched its fourth private mission to the ISS on June 25 that onboarded Group Captain Shubhanshu Houston-based company will explore utilising Skyroot's capabilities for research payloads, orbital data centre nodes, and other missions to Axiom Station and independently in LEO."Launching satellites to orbit—a feat accomplished by only a handful of companies globally—requires the coming together of the very best minds, especially as we attempt it for the very first time as a private space startup from India," said Pawan Kumar Chandana, cofounder of Skyroot former ISRO chief's new role is advisory and honorary, and the company clarified that it is non-exclusive. "With decades of experience in building multiple launch vehicles and leading some of India's most challenging space missions, his guidance will be invaluable as we gear up for the orbital launch of Vikram-1," Chandana his tenure as ISRO chairman (2022–2025), Somanath oversaw key missions such as Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1 (India's first solar observatory), the SSLV development, and the Reusable Launch Vehicle landing experiments.
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
NTTM and PLI flipping India's technical textiles script
A few years ago, technical textiles were viewed as a peripheral segment, limited in scope, underinvested and heavily reliant on imports. Today, they stand at the centre of India's industrial transformation. This shift is not incidental. It is the outcome of deliberate strategy, policy foresight and national commitment, anchored in the larger vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whether it was scaling up PPE production during the Covid-19 crisis, supporting the armed forces with indigenous protective gear, or supplying critical material inputs for operations like Sindoor, technical textiles have demonstrated their role as enablers of national preparedness and industrial progress. From niche to strategic-The policy imperative: A pivotal moment came during a review meeting of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), where I had the opportunity to interact with the then Chairman of ISRO, Dr S Somanath. He underlined the growing need for specialty fibres such as carbon fibre, UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and nylon 66—materials essential for high-performance aerospace applications. His message was unequivocal: India must build indigenous capabilities in these domains, not just to reduce dependency, but to unlock the next level of our scientific advancement. That conversation reaffirmed the strategic importance of technical textiles in India's growth narrative, from laboratories to launch pads. From lab to launch pads and battlegrounds: The defence sector too has begun to feel the strategic value of this transformation. Take for instance Operation Sindoor, where protective clothing and ballistic gear to camouflage fabrics and chemical-biological protection suits technical textiles played a vital role. As we began investing early in domestic capacity-building, today we are able to support our defence sector not just with manpower, but with material that meets global standards, developed and manufactured on Indian soil. Understanding technical textiles: Technical textiles are not about fashion or aesthetics. They are high-performance materials designed to serve a function, often in life-saving or critical infrastructure contexts. These include bullet-resistant jackets, flame-retardant uniforms, surgical gowns, anti-bacterial sheets for farmers, road-reinforcement geo-grids and much more. The sector spans 12 major segments including geotech, meditech, protech, agrotech and buildtech. As of 2024, India's technical textiles market was valued at $26 billion. We are on track to touch $40-45 billion by 2030, growing at a healthy annual rate of 10-12 per cent. Compared to the global average where technical textiles form 27 per cent of total textile output, India stands at 11 per cent. But with the right push, we are narrowing the gap rapidly. Driving growth: Key government interventions: To unlock this sector's true potential, the Government of India has committed a total outlay of ₹12,000 crore through two key initiatives — the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles. These programs are not working in silos. Together, they are transforming India into a global hub for technical textiles. Under the NTTM, we are driving focused investment into research and innovation. Around 168 high-impact projects have been approved with government support of ₹510 crore. Many of these, like the development of fire entry suits and circular weaving technology for geo-textiles, have already moved from the lab to the market. NTTM: Seeding innovation, skilling India: Driven by the vision of Atmanirbharta, the National Technical Textiles Mission is laying strong foundations for innovation and skill development. While 17 startups have received support under the GREAT (Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles) scheme. Over 2,000 students are pursuing technical textiles courses across 41 top institutes, backed by 16 industry-linked skilling modules that are shaping a future-ready workforce. Creating demand, driving global presence: With market development as a core pillar, NTTM is expanding both domestic adoption and global reach. The mandatory use of 73 technical textile items across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and defence has led to their integration into public infrastructure. Over 30 international events, including Bharat Tex 2025, have amplified India's visibility. Meanwhile, overall man-made textile exports rose from $4.2 billion in 2020–21 to $5.3 billion in 2024–25, and reduced imports signal growing self-reliance and competitiveness. Linking performance to policy: The PLI framework: In the private sector, performance is rewarded. Those who exceed targets are incentivised to go further and boost the employment landscape of the country. That same principle now informs our industrial policy through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. This scheme represents a paradigm shift where incentives are no longer subsidies, but performance-linked rewards. It recognises that for India to compete globally, manufacturing must be treated like a mission, with clear metrics, commercial viability and a growth-oriented mindset. Together, NTTM and PLI offer a dual engine: while NTTM lays the foundation through research, education and skill development, the PLI Scheme is accelerating growth. Of the 80 companies selected under the scheme, more than half (precisely 56.75 per cent) are working in the technical textiles space. This is a strong indicator of industry confidence. Thanks to this support, we have seen fresh investments of ₹7,343 crore, leading to an impressive turnover of ₹4,648 crore and exports worth ₹538 crore. To ensure smooth implementation, the Ministry of Textiles has taken proactive steps. We issued HSN codes for technical textiles on three occasions — June 2023, October 2024 and February 2025 and also released detailed FAQs to clarify customs and compliance. An important amendment in February enabled early incentive disbursements totalling ₹54 crore. Our ambitions extend far beyond domestic boundaries. Through the PLI scheme, India is steadily building capacity in high-value products such as automotive safety equipment, glass fibre and carbon fibre. These advanced materials play a crucial role in sectors like aerospace, defence, clean energy and healthcare. By boosting domestic manufacturing in these areas, the scheme is strategically positioning India to compete with leading global textile exporters like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The impact so far: The impact of our combined initiatives is already visible. India's domestic market for technical textiles is growing at an annual rate of 10 per cent. Exports in the financial year 2024-25 stood at $2.9 billion. As of March, we have attracted investments worth ₹5,218 crore and generated employment for more than 8,500 people. Technical textiles alone have driven a turnover of ₹3,242 crore, including exports worth ₹217 crore. This data is not just about numbers but proof that our strategy is working. Towards a sustainable and self-reliant future: Sustainability and circularity are at the core of India's technical textiles strategy. Natural fibres like jute, hemp, ramie, cotton, silk, and even milkweed are being reimagined for high-performance applications benefiting the environment while empowering our farmers and industries. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are emerging as powerful interventions that blend innovation with traditional fibres. For instance, waste from Kashmiri pashmina is now used in building insulation; cotton and silk are being applied in wound dressings and tissue engineering; and silk is finding use in 3D printing. Jute is enabling biodegradable medical implants, lightweight composites for automobiles, eco-friendly construction materials, and durable furniture. At the same time, we are prioritising domestic machinery manufacturing, with 25 projects underway to produce goods worth ₹68,000 crore—expected to contribute ₹6,700 crore in exports—paving the way for a truly self-reliant and sustainable industrial future. As the Union Minister of Textiles, I take pride in saying that India is not merely participating in the global technical textiles' movement—we are positioning ourselves to lead it. With the combined force of NTTM and PLI, we are driving innovation, generating employment, strengthening exports, and building national resilience. From supporting our defence and agricultural sectors to modernising infrastructure and more, technical textiles are shaping a bold new industrial identity for India. And this is only the beginning. (The writer is Union Minister of Textiles)
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Somanath is Chanakya University chancellor
Bengaluru: Former Indian Space Research Organisation ( ) chairman S Somanath will take over as chancellor of Chanakya University, a private university based in Devanahalli. Somanath will replace founder-chancellor MK Sridhar, who was part of the core committee developing National Education Policy (NEP). Sridhar will continue to be a part of the board of governors. Chanakya University started in 2022 through a state legislature act.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Two space cities may come up at Sriharikota, Lepakshi
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh has began making decisive strides toward becoming a major player in India's expanding space sector. With chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu unveiling an ambitious plan to develop two world-class space cities—one near Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR and another at Lepakshi, the state is clearly positioning itself to contribute meaningfully to India's space economy. To steer these efforts, the State recently appointed former Isro chairman Dr S Somanath as its honorary advisor on space technology. His experience is expected to shape a globally competitive space ecosystem in the state. The proposed space city near Sriharikota is particularly strategic. It aims to become a hub for satellite manufacturing and launch vehicle development, directly leveraging proximity to India's premiere spaceport. The second hub near Lepakshi is envisioned as a centre for space innovation and private industry collaboration. Together, they are designed to foster public-private partnerships, nurture R&D, and promote indigenous manufacturing capabilities. Proximity to SHAR offers immense logistical and operational advantages along with reduced transportation costs for high-risk materials like liquid oxygen and helium, faster turnaround for critical supplies, and greater responsiveness to mission timelines. Experts point out that locating satellite integration, testing, and calibration units in eastern Tirupati district can significantly enhance both Isro's mission-readiness and regional industrial growth. Several industries located in Sri City, just 40 km from Sriharikota, are already supporting Isro's launch vehicle programmes, strengthening the case for developing an aerospace cluster around this strategic location. With world-class infrastructure, multimodal connectivity, and a robust industrial ecosystem, Sri City is uniquely positioned for space manufacturing expansion. Among the contributors are VRV Asia Pacific (supplies India's first indigenous liquid hydrogen storage tank), Danieli India (manufactures large steel structure 'mobile launch pedestal' for transporting launch vehicles), Rotolok (provides rotary airlocks and valves for solid propellant systems), THK India (supplies linear motion guides used in Chandrayaan-3), Val-Met Engineering (processes aerospace-grade titanium, nickel, and aluminium alloys), NovaAir (supplies liquid oxygen for cryogenic stages), and Siddhartha Logistics (handles sensitive Isro payload logistics). Sri City's strong collaboration with Isro reinforces AP's aerospace ambitions. Notwithstanding the bold initiatives, the state is conspicuously missing from the national conversation around space manufacturing hubs. While IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) has recognised Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka for focused roles in launch vehicles, satellites, and general manufacturing respectively, AP, which is home to the country's only operational spaceport, has not yet been included. Experts are of the view that these gap points to a pressing need for state govt to come up with a dedicated space policy. A formal policy would lend strategic direction to the state's efforts, define sector-specific incentives, enable institutional frameworks for collaboration, and strengthen its case for inclusion in national plans. It would signal readiness to partner with private players and central agencies like IN-SPACe on clear terms.
