India's scientific and technological landscape witnessed notable progress in the last 24 hours, underscoring the nation's growing capabilities across various domains.
Deep Ocean Exploration Breakthrough:
In a historic achievement, Indian aquanauts successfully descended to record depths of 4,025 meters and 5,002 meters in the Atlantic Ocean. This feat, accomplished as part of an Indo-French collaboration, marks the first time India has ventured beyond the 4,000-meter mark and places the nation among a select group of fewer than six countries capable of reaching such extreme depths. The mission significantly strengthens India's global standing in marine exploration and advances its scientific capabilities in ocean research under the ongoing Samudrayan Mission.
Quantum Technology Advancement:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has signed a significant ā¹1 crore licensing agreement with Indrarka Quantum Technologies Pvt. Ltd. for the commercial deployment of India's first Silicon Photonics-Based high-speed Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG). Developed at IIT Madras's Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS), this indigenous technology is a crucial step forward for India's quantum innovation ecosystem and holds strategic value for secure computing and communication.
Ambitious Space Program Goals Reaffirmed:
India's space ambitions gained further momentum with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from a historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Discussions covered his experiences in space, India's progress in science and technology, and the ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. Concurrently, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, reiterated the government's commitment to establishing an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and sending an Indian crewed mission to the Moon by 2040, aligning these goals with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047'.
Enhancing Forensic Capabilities with Drone Lab:
In a first-of-its-kind initiative for the country, Uttar Pradesh inaugurated India's first government-established drone forensic lab at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS) in Lucknow. This facility aims to revolutionize policing and forensic investigations by enabling authorities to track, decode, and analyze drones in real-time, determine flight paths, payload capacity, and identify hazardous materials. The lab will also serve as a training center, building a dedicated drone force within the UP Police to respond swiftly to incidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles.
Promoting Robotics Education:
To foster interest in science and technology among young students, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Science Park launched a state-of-the-art robotics lab for civic school students. This initiative provides a platform for students to gain hands-on experience in robotics, electronics, and programming, aiming to make STEM education more engaging and accessible.