Latest news with #Shukla
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First Post
44 minutes ago
- Politics
- First Post
Explained: Why is Roger Binny leaving the BCCI presidency and who will relace him?
The BCCI is reportedly set for a major shakeup at the top with current president Roger Binny expected to step down from his post in July. Here's why Binny is leaving BCCI and who can replace him. read more Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to get a new president as vice-president Rajeev Shukla could replace current head Roger Binny. The Congress leader, Shukla, is expected to take over for three months and stand for the full-time presidency election in the next BCCI Annual General Meeting in September 2025. Why is Roger Binny leaving BCCI presidency? The current BCCI president and former Indian all-rounder, Binny, is turning 70 on 10 July of this year and that means he cannot continue to be the head as per the age-cap rule. The BCCI constitution states that any office-bearer, including the president, needs to exit the office upon reaching the age of 70. The age-cap rule was added to the BCCI constitution during the reforms undertaken by the Justice Lodha Committee. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Binny will be forced to leave BCCI in July, Shukla has emerged as the natural short-term replacement, considering he is already the vice-president. However, it will be interesting to note if he stands for a full-term election in the September BCCI AGM. '(Rajeev) Shukla could be replacing (Roger) Binny in July itself. The board officials are already discussing his name,' a senior BCCI official confirmed to CricBlogger. 'Shukla, who currently serves as BCCI vice-president, is a veteran cricket administrator and seasoned politician with prior experience as chairman of IPL,' the source added. Who is BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla? Shukla dons multiple hats in life. He was earlier a journalist but now a politician. The 65-year-old Shukla hails from Kanpur and is currently a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh. He is also a member of the Congress Working Committee. He was also a Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Planning between 2011 and 2014. Shukla also served as the Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman for many years in the past before taking over as the BCCI vice-president in December 2020.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Science
- Time of India
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla? IAF pilot set to make history as India's first astronaut on the ISS
Group Captain is all set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). A decorated test pilot from the Indian Air Force and one of ISRO's four astronauts selected for India's , Shukla will serve as the pilot on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This milestone mission marks India's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades and underscores its growing presence in international space exploration. Shubhanshu Shukla's early life and education Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla completed his schooling at City Montessori School, Lucknow. Inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, he was determined to serve the nation and cleared the UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) examination. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 2005. Later, during his astronaut training, he pursued a Master of Technology degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, showcasing his strong academic foundation in both military and scientific disciplines. Indian Air Force career Shukla was commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 2006 as a Flying Officer in the fighter stream. Over the years, he has become a highly experienced and respected test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying time across a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier 228, and An-32. As a combat leader and experimental test pilot, Shukla's expertise in aviation made him an ideal candidate for India's emerging human spaceflight program. Shubhanshu Shukla's selection and training for the Axiom Mission 4 In 2019, Shukla was shortlisted by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) for ISRO's first astronaut training group. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After rigorous evaluation, he was selected among the final four astronauts. In 2020, he traveled to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia for basic spaceflight training, which he completed in 2021. He then returned to India for further mission-specific preparation at ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bangalore. His selection was officially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2024, during a visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. Axiom Mission 4 Group Captain Shukla will pilot the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), an international collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and ISRO. Axiom Mission 4 is a planned private spaceflight to the International Space Station operated by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA. The flight is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center no earlier than June 9, 2025, at 12:46 UTC, and will last about two to three weeks. The crew includes commander Peggy Whitson (USA), mission specialists Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Fellow vyomanaut Prasanth Nair is designated as the backup astronaut. Shukla's participation marks a historic first for India at the ISS and is a crucial step toward the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. What are the experiments he will do at the ISS? The Ax-4 mission will conduct around 60 scientific experiments from 31 countries, with seven selected by ISRO from Indian researchers. These include studies on: Growth of microalgae and cyanobacteria Muscle regeneration in microgravity Sprouting of green gram (moong) and fenugreek — aimed at future Indian space food systems Resilience of tardigrades (microscopic life forms) Seed germination in space Human-computer interaction in microgravity environments These experiments reflect India's growing interest in space biosciences and long-duration human spaceflight research. Personal life of Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla is married to Dr. Kamna, a dentist, and the couple has a four-year-old son. He comes from a humble family background — his father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, is a retired government officer, and his mother, Asha Shukla, is a homemaker. He is the youngest of three siblings. In his free time, Shukla enjoys physical exercise, reading science and space literature. As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the historic Axiom Mission 4, he not only carries the aspirations of a nation but also represents a new era in India's space journey. From the skies as a fighter pilot to the vast expanse of space, his remarkable journey reflects the power of dedication, discipline, and scientific ambition. With his mission to the ISS, Shukla is set to inspire a new generation of Indians to dream beyond the boundaries of Earth and aim for the stars.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mandu set for major tourism makeover, local homestay boost
Indore: The historic fort city of Mandu is poised for significant development aimed at enhancing tourist facilities and infrastructure. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) estimated the beautification project to cost around Rs 25 crore. Renowned as one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the Indore region, Mandu saw a notable increase in visitor numbers. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, principal secretary of Tourism and Culture for Madhya Pradesh, said that the beautification efforts are expected to commence after the monsoon season. "Our goal is to make Mandu more tourist-friendly and ensure that visitors can fully appreciate its historical beauty. We want to create an unforgettable experience for everyone who visits this remarkable fort city," said Shukla. This rising influx encouraged several Bhil tribal families to venture into entrepreneurship, offering homestays near Dhar in the Malipura area. One homestay owner, Dinesh Katare, said, "We are so excited about the upcoming tourist season. The training we received empowered us to share our culture and hospitality with visitors, and we look forward to welcoming more guests to our home. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo More families in our village are planning to start homestays as an alternative mode of income." To prepare these families for this venture, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board provided training in hospitality and various job roles as part of its Rural Tourism project. This initiative identified 100 villages across the state, assisting beneficiaries in developing homestay facilities and enhancing locally made products and culinary offerings. Moreover, the tourism department is actively pursuing partnerships to hold annual fests in Mandu, Orchha, and Tamia, aimed at incorporating recreational and adventure activities that further enrich the tourism experience.
NDTV
19 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
How India And Israel Are Reaching For The Stars
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set for the Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe helping bring the excitement of space to students at the Indian astronaut's school in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. The two spacefarers, after an interaction at a gathering in Houston, had envisioned a program that would allow Indian students to experience the thrill of space exploration in real time. "Every year, there's a gathering of astronauts in Houston, where NASA's main human spaceflight centre is based. That's where I met Group Captain Shukla. He told me about his mission, and I shared how we had engaged school children in Israel during my time on the ISS. He immediately suggested we reach out to the City Montessori School in Lucknow," Mr Stibbe said. The City Montessori School is where Mr Shukla studied. Plans are now underway to create a parallel "mission control" experience at the school, allowing students to follow Mr Shukla's journey aboard the ISS, watch live feeds from the station, and participate in interactive educational activities. "The idea is to create programs, materials, and excitement," Mr Stibbe, who was part of the Axiom 1 mission in 2022, said. "We want children to ask questions, to be curious. During the mission, they'll be able to watch Shukla at work on the station-not just during interviews, but through continuous camera feeds that show astronauts floating, working, and living in microgravity. It's super exciting," he said. Mr Stibbe, who funded his private mission to space, is passionate about making space accessible to all. His outreach efforts in Israel reached thousands of students, and he hopes to replicate that success in India. "Whatever we did in Israel, we're now extending a hand of friendship to India," he said. "There's a lot we can learn from each other," Mr Stibbe said. "From the educational system, from the missions, and from the science. We're following India's space program closely and hope for more cooperation." The initiative has the potential to draw attention at the highest levels. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are great friends," Mr Stibbe said. "If they get the opportunity, I'm sure they would be happy to join in. We'll definitely extend an invitation." For Mr Stibbe, the mission is personal. "Watching the Earth from space, seeing the sunrise and sunset - it changes you. You realise how fragile our planet is. That's why I believe in sustainability and in inspiring the next generation to care for our world," he said. "India and Israel," Mr Stibbe said with a smile, "the friendship goes beyond Earth - and on Earth."
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla set to script history as India's second astronaut in space
India's Shubhanshu Shukla is set for his maiden space flight as part of Axiom Space 's fourth commercial mission to the International Space Station, which is scheduled for lift-off onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 8. The launch of the Dragon spacecraft will take place not earlier than 6:41 pm IST from NASA's spaceport in Florida, making Shukla only the second Indian to travel to space four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Besides Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking both European nation's first travel to the International Space Station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gain expertise in Deep Learning & NLP with AI & ML BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo Veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson will be the commander of the Axiom-4 mission. "I am really, really excited to go into microgravity and experience spaceflight on my own," Shukla, who goes by the nickname 'Shuks', said at a press conference in January. Live Events Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities. The Ax-4 astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS . Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA. The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel. ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program. It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (Fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions. Shukla will also expose the seeds to the macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to earth where they will be cultivated in plants not just once but over generations. In January, Shukla said he also planned to capture his experiences on board the ISS through pictures and videos which can be shared with all the "'Bharatvaasis' back home." "I want them to share this thrilling experience through my eyes, for I truly believe that, even as an individual travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people," he said. Shukla said he planned to take certain items from different parts of the country with him to the ISS during the 14-day mission and even expressed hope to serve Indian food to astronauts in the orbital laboratory. He said the experience on the Axiom Mission 4 would be very well utilised on the Gaganyaan mission which is planned for 2027. ISRO is spending Rs 550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.
