Latest news with #Shri
National Geographic
12 hours ago
- Science
- National Geographic
Velociraptor's new cousin is a raptor unlike any seen before
Shri rapax had bigger claws and potentially a stronger bite than its Hollywood relative. But paleontologists still don't know the whereabouts of its head, which went missing. The newly named raptor Shri rapax was smuggled by poachers, rescued from the black market, and then, sometime following a CT-scan in 2016, its skull went missing. Photograph by Thierry Hubin, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Sometime before 2010, in the red sands of Mongolia's Gobi Desert brimming with fossils, poachers excavated and stole the exquisite skeleton of a carnivorous dinosaur. They smuggled the fossil out of the country and onto the black market. It passed through private collections in Japan and England and was eventually acquired by the French fossil company Eldonia. In 2016, one of the fossil's owners had the dinosaur's skull and four vertebrae CT-scanned at a Belgian museum, but sometime later the head and neck went missing. Their whereabouts remain unknown to scientists. Negotiations between the fossil company, paleontologists, and government officials led to the return of the dinosaur's body to Mongolia, where it could be cared for and studied, a raptor unlike any seen before. Now, this headless, extra-sharp relative of Velociraptor finally has a name: Shri rapax. The roughly six-foot-long, turkey-sized dinosaur wandered a prehistoric desert more than 71 million years ago. Like Velociraptor, which was also found in Mongolia, Shri is a dromaeosaur. This predatory dinosaur group includes Deinonychus, Utahraptor, and other feathery carnivores with large, hyperextendable claws on their second toes. "I was so surprised to find such an unexpected dromaeosaur in the same geological setting of the iconic Velociraptor," says Andrea Cau an independent paleontologist from Italy. Cau and his colleagues published a paper on July 13 in the journal Historical Biology describing the new species. The discovery is part of a growing number of raptor-like dinosaurs found in Mongolia, revealing an unexpected diversity of species and body types in this group, such as the goose-necked and slender Halszkaraptor escuilliei and Natovenator polydontus. This cast was created from a CT-scan of the dinosaur's skull that was conducted in 2016. The real fossilized skull's location is still a mystery to scientists. Photograph by Thierry Hubin, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Shri rapax's claws were larger than the claws that its famous relative, Velociraptor, had on its hands. Photograph by Thierry Hubin, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Despite its close relationship to the Hollywood-famous Velociraptor, Shri was a very different dinosaur. A cast of its skull, which was made based off the 2016 CT-scan as the actual fossil skull is still missing, indicates Shri had a deeper and shorter snout. The finding hints that this raptor had a stronger bite than its relative. "Other differences, such as a relatively short snout, proportionally long neck, and short tail indicate that these two relatives had different ecological preferences," says Tsogtbaatar Chinzorig, a paleontologist at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a coauthor of the study. Its arm bones are more robust and stockier, tipped with large, curved claws. It also had stout hands that imply a strong grip. Precisely how Shri used its arms and claws is unclear, though the researchers suggest it may have grappled with and grasped other dinosaurs like the horned herbivore Protoceratops. Bitten Protoceratops bones and a famous fossil of Velociraptor and Protoceratops locked in fossil combat, called the "Fighting Dinosaurs," hint that the pig-like horned dinosaurs were prey for dromaeosaurs like Shri. Michael Pittman, a paleontologist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong who was not involved in the research, says the authors' hypothesis is reasonable, and that biomechanical studies of the dinosaur's arms can potentially test the idea. He also calls the specimen, "beautiful and well-preserved." The likelihood Shri rapax and Velociraptor lived alongside each other points to a phenomenon called "niche partitioning." Closely related species can sometimes share the same landscape when they have different dietary preferences and behaviors, like how the island of Madagascar hosts many different lemur species that live in different habitats and eat different foods. Evolving different specializations allow related animals to divide habitats in different ways, boosting biodiversity. In the case of the dinosaurs, the anatomical differences between Shri and Velociraptor indicate that the carnivores were likely also part of such an ecological interplay. Returning Shri rapax home Because Shri's skeleton was poached and sold with no geological information, paleontologists are unsure exactly from where the dinosaur was excavated, beyond its clear origin from Mongolia's Djadokhta Formation. The fact that scientists have been able to study, describe, and begin to understand Shri rapax is a victory for paleontology and an effort to push back against black market fossil dealings. "This case highlights yet another instance of fossil poaching," Chinzorig says, "part of a long-standing pattern of illegal smuggling of fossils from the Mongolian Gobi over the decades." It's essential that such fossils are returned, Chinzorig says, both to build scientific knowledge about the prehistoric past and to respect Mongolia's fossil heritage. If the smuggled fossil had remained in private hands, scientists would not know this new dinosaur, its relationships, or anything about the role it played in its prehistoric ecosystem. "Scientific value aside," Cau adds, "I am really happy to give some help in returning these dinosaurs home." And by introducing Shri rapax to the world, the paleontologists may, with luck, help return its missing head home.
India.com
14 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Sansad Ratna Awards 2025: 17 MPs Honoured For Outstanding Parliamentary Performance
The 15th edition of the Sansad Ratna Awards 2025 was held at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, honouring outstanding Members of Parliament (MPs) and parliamentary committees for their exemplary performance in the 18th Lok Sabha. The ceremony aimed to recognise and honour the exceptional Parliamentarians and Committees of the 18th Lok Sabha. Seventeen individual Parliamentarians from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha along with two Parliamentary Standing Committees, received the prestigious Sansad Ratna Awards this year, spanning across three distinct categories. The nominations were made by the Jury Committee, chaired by Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Chairman of the National Commission for Backwards Classes (NCBC), a constitutional authority holding the rank of Union Cabinet Minister. The Awards were presented to the winners during the 15th edition of the Sansad Ratna Awards ceremony by the Chief Guest Shri Kiren Rijuju, Hon'ble Union Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Co-Chair of the Jury, Shri T S Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner and Shri K Srinivasan, Founder Prime Point. Background of the Awards The Sansad Ratna Awards were instituted in 2010 by Prime Point Foundation and the eMagazine PreSense, following the suggestion of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Dr Kalam also inaugurated the first award ceremony in Chennai in May 2010. Notably, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir was the first recipient of the award. The awards are presented on behalf of civil society. As of 2024, 125 awards have been presented across 14 award ceremonies, recognising individual Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Standing Committees. The Jury Committee — comprising distinguished Award-winning Parliamentarians and representatives of civil society — nominates the awardees based on performance data. This data is sourced from the official records of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats, as well as PRS Legislative Research. Performance indicators include the number of initiated debates, private members' bills introduced, and questions raised. Individual Awards This year, 17 individual awards were conferred, including four Special Awards by the Chairman of the Jury Committee, recognising 'Outstanding and Consistent Contribution to Parliamentary Democracy'. These Special Awards were presented to Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJP, Odisha), N.K. Premachandran (RSP, Kerala), Supriya Sule (NCP SP, Maharashtra), Shrirang Appa Barne (Shiv Sena, Maharashtra) and these four Members of Parliament were top performers during the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha terms and continue their top performance in the 18th Lok Sabha also. Other Awardees from Maharashtra are Smita Uday Wagh (BJP), Arvind Ganpat Sawant (Shiv Sena UBT), Naresh Ganpat Mhaske (Shiv Sena), Prof. Gaikwad Varsha Eknath (Indian National Congress), Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni (BJP). From other States, Praveen Patel and Ravindra Kishan Shukla alias Ravi Kishan (both BJP) are from Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Nishikant Dubey and Bidyut Baran Mahato (both BJP) are from Jharkhand, P.P. Chaudhary and Madan Rathore (both BJP) are from Rajasthan, C.N. Annadurai (DMK) represents Tamil Nadu, Dilip Saikia (BJP, Assam). Under the Individual category, this year Maharashtra bagged 7 Awards; Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan bag 2 awards each; Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam bag one award each. Awards to Standing Committees Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kiren Rijuju, Union Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs said, "Sansad Ratna Awards is a commendable initiative by Prime Point Foundation to recognise the excellent performance of Members of Parliament, which strengthens parliamentary democracy".
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Find out how many temples have governments taken over: SC to petitioner
NEW DELHI: A 'shebait' of the Banke Bihari Ji temple at Vrindavan on Monday told Supreme Court that the Uttar Pradesh govt through an unconstitutional ordinance is attempting to take over a privately managed temple in the guise of a development plan. Appearing for 'shebait' Devendra Nath Goswami, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Amit Anand Tiwari told a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi that the temple has a corpus of Rs 300 crore and the sole intention of govt is to utilise this money for the Rs 500 crore development plan. While adjourning hearing on the petition, the bench said, "Please find out how many temples pan-India has been taken over by the state govts. Many temples in Tamil Nadu have been taken over by the state govt." Sibal said the temples taken over in Tamil Nadu are public temples, unlike the Banke Bihari Ji temple which has been managed privately by two groups of 'shebaits' as per a Mathura Munsif court's 1939 judicial order. There are no allegations of mismanagement or misappropriation of funds which could have been grounds for takeover, he said. Justice Kant told Sibal, "You go there and find out how it is managed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stylish Dresses in Tegaldlimo — Don't Miss Out! Dresses | Search Ads Learn More Undo Two groups of 'shebaits' have been fighting for control of the temple since 1938 and have filed many suits. They come to court when govt wants to develop the area to provide devotees with amenities and smooth darshan." The petitioner said the state did not have the legislative competence to promulgate the Uttar Pradesh Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, as it seeks to effectuate a forcible state takeover of a private temple. "The temple is admittedly private in character as it is administered by a religious denomination and governed by a judicially sanctioned scheme of management dated June 11, 1939, under which hereditary 'shebait goswamis' alone are vested with the rights and duties of managing the religious and administrative affairs of the deity/temple," he said. "There is no record or finding of mismanagement, fund misuse, or maladministration on the part of the existing 'shebait'-led management. Throughout the years, no allegations of financial irregularity or misgovernance have been levelled," the petitioner said. The impugned ordinance is a "veiled attempt by the state to commercialise and monetise the private temple under the pretext of providing 'world-class amenities' to devotees", he allleged. "The state's approach to the temple is purely utilitarian and economic, treating it as a revenue generating tourist centre rather than as a sacred spiritual institution governed by ancient religious traditions," the petitioner said.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Kulgam Police Tighten Noose, Attach Drug Peddler's Property Under NDPS Act
Continuing the action against drug trafficking, Kulgam Police under the leadership of SSP Kulgam Shri Sahil Srangal IPS have initiated the attachment of another property belonging to a drug peddler, namely Farooq Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir, resident of Zadoora, Mirbazar, under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This move reflects the firm resolve of Kulgam Police to curb the drug menace by not only prosecuting offenders but also by targeting their ill-gotten assets. The said individual is involved in two separate NDPS cases: FIR No. 85/2020 at Police Station Mattan under Sections 8, 15, and 29 NDPS Act. FIR No. 104/2025 at Police Station Qazigund under Sections 8 and 15 NDPS Act. As per Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, proceedings were initiated by the competent authority for the attachment of illegally acquired property believed to have been purchased through the proceeds of narcotic trafficking. Accordingly, a single-storey residential building (850 sq. ft.) along with 12 marlas of land, situated at Zadoora, Mirbazar, and falling under Khewat No. 3, with an estimated market value of Rs. 65 lakhs, has been attached. Srinagar Police's Crackdown Earlier, Srinagar Police had attached a residential property worth approximately Rs. 55 lakhs under the NDPS Act. The attached property comprises a two-story residential house constructed on 13.5 marlas of land, valued at approximately Rs 55 lakhs, belonging to Khazir Mohammad Tiploo. The action pertained to a case filed at Police Station Soura, in which the son of the owner of the attached property, namely Hilal Ahmad Tiploo, is involved as the accused person. The accused is a notorious drug peddler, and he has a history of involvement in drug peddling, primarily targeting local youth, thereby posing a grave threat to public health and safety. Investigations revealed that the property was acquired through proceeds from illicit drug trafficking.
Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Induction Ceremony 2025 and iFactory Lab Inauguration at Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore
Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore, hosted the Induction Ceremony 2025 along with the inauguration of the iFactory Network Lab. Business Wire India Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore, hosted the Induction Ceremony 2025 along with the inauguration of the iFactory Network Lab. This occasion marked a significant milestone in the journey towards skill-based education and digital manufacturing. Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Vinith Kumar Nair extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries. Chief guests at the event included Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Hon'ble Minister for Urban Development, Housing, and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Debashish Chakravorty, Executive Vice President, Piramal Pharma Solutions; Pradip Kopardekar, Director, Kirloskar Management Services Pvt. Ltd. and Centre for Industry 4.0 Lab, Pune; Dr. Anuradda Ganesh, Chairperson, PRMC, Director and Chief Technical Advisor, Cummins India; and Registrar Dr. Manish , Registrar, along with Vice Chancellor Vinith Kumar Nair. Shri Vijayvargiya inaugurated the state-of-the-art iFactory Network Lab, established under the Government of India's Ministry of Heavy Industries' Capital Goods Scheme (Phase II), and implemented by the Centre for Industry 4.0 Lab, Pune. This lab is part of a national initiative to encourage smart and sustainable manufacturing and will serve as a regional hub for digital transformation, offering: Hands-on training for students and professionals Support for pilot projects Digital maturity assessments, especially for MSMEs This iFactory center is one of ten such labs being launched across the country to promote region-specific Industry 4.0 adoption and reinforce the government's vision for a digitally empowered, future-ready manufacturing sector. Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Pro-Chancellor, addressed the students and elaborated on the university's unique vision. She said, 'The model of a skill university is significantly different from conventional universities. Symbiosis is called a 'University of the Future' because skill-based education is the future of higher education. Over the past 20–25 years of research, we observed that students without formal higher education but possessing practical skills were more employable than highly educated students. Meanwhile, the industry is in urgent need of a skilled workforce. The establishment of Symbiosis Skills University and Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences aims to bridge this workforce gap.' She further added, 'Our education model incorporates modern technology, industry-driven learning, and practical training that prepare students for employment or entrepreneurship. For international students, Symbiosis offers a 'home away from home' experience. Over the past 55 years, Symbiosis has grown into a vast educational ecosystem. In 2013–14, we realized the need to move beyond theoretical learning to focus on practical, employable skills. These two universities train students not only in theory but also in how to apply that knowledge in real-world settings. Our curriculum is designed by industry experts and training is conducted by them as well.' 'Students from conventional education systems often don't know how to handle basic machinery, whereas Symbiosis-trained students excel in practical applications. Internships offer hands-on experience, and 100% attendance is mandatory, which ensures 100% placements. Since our model is based on the German dual-education system, our students are also in demand in German companies. We also focus on English communication, personality development, soft skills, and leadership – all of which help boost students' confidence and performance in job interviews.' 'We offer free interdisciplinary courses, access to advanced labs and infrastructure, and an internship-integrated learning model. These facilities open up job opportunities – but your success will depend on your hard work, integrity, and commitment. The friends you make during this academic year will be your lifelong support system.' Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya fondly recalled his conversation with Dr. S. B. Mujumdar during the establishment of this university. Addressing students, he said, 'Post-2014, India has been undergoing transformational change. Your new ideas can shape the world. While options were limited earlier, today there are countless opportunities. India is on the path to becoming a developed nation, and students have a key role to play in that journey.' Debashish Chakravorty remarked, 'You are growing up alongside your education. If your goals are clear, you will surely succeed. Focus on building your personality. Life is a journey that may include setbacks, but enjoy the process. Today's market offers immense opportunities—put in your best effort and success will follow.' Pradip Kopardekar shared, 'Wherever you go today, technology is present. As India moves toward self-reliance, technology plays a major role. The newly inaugurated iFactory Network Lab will greatly benefit everyone here.' Dr. Anuradda Ganesh, Chairperson, PRMC, Retd. Director and Chief Technical Advisor, Cummins India, added, 'The iFactory Network Lab inaugurated today will provide immense value, shaping students to be industry-ready. This lab is not just a space but a gateway to real-world experience. Digital transformation is emerging as the new face of the future industry.' The induction ceremony concluded with a campus tour and an overview of university facilities organized for the students. Registrar Dr. Manish briefed students about university policies and the code of conduct. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. Business Upturn take no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
