Department of space (space mission)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has submitted a plan for 58 space missions to be undertaken as a part of 12th Five Year Plan, 2012-17.

A Plan outlay of Rs. 39,750 crore in 12^th Five Year Plan period has been provisionally earmarked under the Plan budget for Space Programme.  During the current year 2012-13, a sum of Rs. 5,615 crore has been allocated and the amount spent up to End October, 2012 is Rs.1,871.53 crore.

The Missions planned for 12^th Five Year plan also encompasses 33 Satellite missions and 25 Launch Vehicles missions.  The details and the objectives of each mission are as under:

Sl No	Mission		Objective
SATELLITE MISSIONS
1	SARAL	Satellite with Argos and Altimeter for Oceanography studies.
2	CARTOSAT-2C	High resolution Cartography satellite for mapping applications for special users.
3	CARTOSAT-2D
4	RESOURCESAT-2A	Satellite for Natural Resource Survey applications.
5	OCEANSAT-3	Satellite for Ocean and Coastal studies.
6	CARTOSAT-3	Advanced very high resolution cartography satellite.
7	GISAT	Geo Imaging Satellite for monitoring and Disaster Management applications.
8	GSAT-9	Communication satellite to augment the INSAT system with C band Transponders
9	GSAT-10	Communication satellites to augment the INSAT system with C and Ku band Transponders
10	GSAT-15
11	GSAT-16
12	GSAT-17
13	GSAT-18
14	GSAT-14	Experimental Communication Satellites
15	GSAT-11S
16	GSAT-6	Multi-media Mobile communication satellites for strategic applications.
17	GSAT-6A
18	GSAT-7	Communication satellite for special users.
19	GSAT-Ka	Advanced Ka band satellite for VSAT communications.
20	GSAT-11
21	GSAT-19E	New generation experimental communication satellite.
22	INSAT-3D	Advanced Meteorological Satellite
23	IRNSS-1	Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) for satellite based positioning services – The constellation consists of Seven IRNSS satellites.
24	IRNSS-2
25	IRNSS-3
26	IRNSS-4
27	IRNSS-5
28	IRNSS-6
29	IRNSS-7
30	ASTROSAT	Multi-wavelength Space Astronomy Observatory for scientific investigations.
Sl No	Mission	Objective
31	MARS ORBITER	Technological mission to reach Martian orbit and studying the surface and atmospheric features of Mars.
32	CHANDRAYAAN-2	Scientific investigations of Lunar surface with in-situ measurements.
33	ADITYA	Scientific Satellite for study of Sun and Solar Corona phenomena.
LAUNCH VEHICLE MISSIONS
34	PSLV – C20	Launching of SARAL Satellite into Polar Orbit.
35	PSLV – C 21	Launching of French satellite SPOT-6 on commercial basis.
36	PSLV – C22	For launching of IRNSS-1 satellite.
37	PSLV – C23	For launching of IRNSS-2 satellite
38	PSLV – C24	For launching of IRNSS-3 satellite
39	PSLV – C25	For launching of MARS orbiter.
40	PSLV – C26	For launching of Astrosat into near earth orbit.
41	PSLV – C27	For launching of Cartosat-2C into Polar orbit.
42	PSLV – C28	For launching of IRNSS-4 satellite.
43	PSLV – C29	For launching of IRNSS-5 satellite.
44	PSLV – C30	For launching of IRNSS-6 satellite.
45	PSLV – C31	For launching of Resourcesat-2A into polar orbit.
46	PSLV – C32	For launching of Cartosat-2D in to polar orbit.
47	PSLV – C33	Commercial Launch Service
48	PSLV – C34	For launching of IRNSS-7 satellite.
49	PSLV – C35	For launching of Oceansat-3 satellite into polar orbit.
50	PSLV- C36	For launching of Cartosat-3 satellite into Polar orbit.
51	GSLV – D5	Development flight with indigenous cryogenic stage for launching GSAT-14satellite.
52	GSLV – D6	For launching of GSAT-6 into Geosynchronous transfer orbit.
53	GSLV – F8	For launching of Chandrayaan-2
54	GSLV – F09	For launching of GSAT-9 communication satellite.
55	GSLV – F10	For launching of GISAT satellite into Geosynchronous transfer orbit.
56	GSLV – F11	For launching of GSAT-6A satellite.
57	GSLV - Mk III-X1	Experimental test flight.
58	GSLV – Mk III D1	First developmental flight of GSLV Mk III  for launching GSAT-19E satellite

New Kolkata Airport Terminal Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee yesterday (January 20, 2013) inaugurated the new Integrated Passenger Terminal Building and unveiled the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. 

Speaking on the occasion, the President said the new Kolkata Airport Terminal is an example of how the public sector in India can also create a world class facility. He said Kolkata is the gateway to the east. The airport can play an important role in India’s Look East policy, especially in view of the directional change in international trade from the west to the east. 

The President said airports serve as gateways to the country. The first impression about a city and the state of its infrastructure comes from the facilities available at the Airport. It is, therefore, important that all stake holders concerned work together and present the best possible image of India. 

6th National Conference on Implementation of Protection of Women of from Domestic Violence Act (Pwdva), 2005 CURTAIN RAISER

National Innovation Council Launches the First Public Lecture Series on the National Knowledge Network with Sam Pitroda and Prof. Michael Sandel

The NKN is a multi gigabit pan India network, built by the Government of India to connect all education and research institutions in the country and is being implemented by the National Informatics Centre. Currently, NKN has connected over 900 nodes in the country with a dedicated bandwidth of 1Gbps/ 100mbps. 

The National Innovation Council has been constituted by the Prime Minister, under the Chairmanship of Mr Sam Pitroda, to outline policy recommendations and interventions to boost innovation performance in the country, with a focus on inclusive growth. 

Shri Kapil Sibal Inaugurates the Sar and the NGN LABS

Union Minister for Communications and IT, Shri Kapil Sibal inaugurated the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) lab, which will audit the SAR values of mobile phones; and the Next Generation Network (NGN) lab in the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), here today.  Shri Sibal pointed out that while world standards with regard to SAR had been adopted earlier, we are adopting even more stringent standards as in the USA, Brazil, China and in some other countries. He underlined that health safeguards have to be a priority. The minister asked the TEC to prepare their equipment for testing 4G and also 5G .

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) lab in TEC

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre has commissioned a Lab for measurement of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for the mobile handsets.  SAR is closely related to electric field strengths produced inside human body tissues while making calls.  Lower the value of SAR, safer the mobile handset for the human use.

The TEC SAR Lab is one of its kind as it is the first lab in India for independent audit of SAR value, self-certified by mobile handset manufacturers and importers in India.  The lab utilizes the existing radio frequency chamber available with TEC.

            As per the DoT Memorandum of January 25, 2012, the mobile handset manufacturers in India have to provide self-declaration of SAR value on the handsets.  As regards imported handsets from other countries, manufacturers, apart from self-declaration of SAR, shall specify the SAR information on their documents for verification by the appropriate authority.  Suitable amendments in the Indian Telegraph Rules under Indian Telegraph Act 1985 shall be enacted for strict compliance.  As per this Memorandum, TEC has been mandated to conduct the audit on self-certified mobile handsets.

This Lab is capable of making SAR measurement for CDMA, GSM 2G and 3G mobile handsets in the frequency band of 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz.  The lab is also capable of measuring SAR value against the International Commission on non-Ionizing Radio Protection (ICNIRP) limit of 2 Watt per Kilogram measured over 10 gm. of tissue as well as the recently   adopted unit in human i.e. 1.6 Watt per Kg measured over 1 gm of tissue. The will also undertake request from mobile handset manufacturers for testing the devices on their request, for a fee.

Next Generation Network (NGN) lab in TEC

The Next Generation Network (NGN) lab in TEC is a unique test infrastructure in the country  which is capable of subjecting Internet Protocol (IP) based equipment for Conformance and Interoperability testing. The cost of the lab is Rupees 3.5 crore. The lab is equipped with Testing and Measurement Equipment manufactured by M/s Spirent of USA and supplied by  M/s Sterlite as System Integrator.

Internet Protocol (IP) address is a basic requirement for accessing Internet and Internet-enabled services. Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address  space has been exhausted and IPv6 has taken off. NGN lab has the capability to test both IPv4 and IPv6 and the migration scenarios. The lab also supports the NGN based Interconnection and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Introduction of VoIP and transition to IPv6 is envisaged in NTP-2012. 

The IPv6 testing is one of the key features of NGN lab. IPv6 Ready Logo Forum which is international body, has been approached for accreditation for IPv6 testing. It is targeted to obtain IPv6 Ready Logo Certification by March 31, 2013.

Remote Testing of the products from the NGN lab is one of the key features. The lab is upgradable from the present 1G/10G Electrical/Optical Interfaces to 40G/100G optical interfaces. The test facility can also be augmented to take care of testing of Cloud Computing based implementations.

Expected Users of the lab are Equipment Vendors of NGN products, Application Software Providers, Indigenous Manufacturers of EPABX/IP based equipment and Academic Institutions. IIT Kanpur has tested their IPv6 traffic tool which is installed in ALTTC, BSNL.  CDOT has now offered its GPON equipment for  Network Management Interface testing.

Bangalore Gears Up to Host Aeroindia – 2013

Organised by Department of Defence Production this biennial event provides a significant platform for Indian and Foreign vendors. The five day show aims at promoting products and services being offered by Indian Defence Industry in the International Market and providing exposure to the Armed Forces, R & D personnel to the latest Aviation and Aerospace Industry. 

While Aero India 2011 saw the participation of exhibitors from 29 countries with more than 675 companies and 47 overseas delegations accommodated over the gross exhibition area of 75,000 Sqm, the Ninth Edition of this International Aerospace Exhibition is expected to see the participation of over 600 companies and 78 overseas delegations accommodated over an approximate area of 1,25,000 Sqm. The largest overseas participation is seen from USA with indoor space occupied being 1,185 sqm followed by Israel and Russia. Other major participants are France, UK, Germany and Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Ukraine, Australia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, UAE and Singapore. 

The event would also see the participation of aerobatic teams – Flying Bulls from Czech Republic, Russian Knights-Russian Air Force Aerobatic Team and IAF’s Sarang Aerobatic Team. 

54th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology Held

The 54th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology began in Mumbai today. Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare was the Chief Guest at the inaugural programme. 

Addressing the function, Shri Azad said Maternal and Child Health has received utmost priority from the Health Ministry. There has been a significant decline in MMR, IMR and TFR in India. The current MMR as per the latest Sample Registration Survey is 212 per 100,000 live-births and the IMR is 44 per 1,000 live births. However, the current pace of decline needs to be further accelerated to achieve the commitments on the millennium development goals. About 28 million pregnancies occur along with an estimated 56,000 maternal deaths in India every year. Accordingly, our task is more challenging due to the regional disparities that exist in the country with the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Orissa and Assam contributing to more than two-thirds of the MMR burden. We have an urban India and a huge rural India with long pending and ever increasing demands for provision of healthcare services. 

He said since the launch of National Rural Health Mission 7 years ago, substantial progress has been achieved. About Rs. 90,000 crores has been provided to States/UTs. New Health Infrastructure has been created. About 43,500 new construction and up-gradation works were taken up to improve health facilities. About 70,000 beds have been increased in the country in government health institutions for provision of essential and emergency services. Addition of about 1.5 lakh human resources includes Specialists, Doctors, Nurses, ANMs and Para-medics. Over 8,60,000 Community Health Workers called ASHAs have been appointed in villages to act as bridge between the communities and the health facilities. An innovative scheme of providing cash assistance to pregnant women delivering in public health facilities was launched. Under the Safe Motherhood Scheme, the number of women choosing to access and deliver in public health institutions at primary, community, district and tertiary hospitals rose from 7,00,000 in 2005-06 to over 11 million in 2011-12.Amajor nation-wide intervention was added in 2011 to eliminate totally out-of-pocket expenses for both pregnant women and sick neonates. Under JSSK scheme, every pregnant woman is now entitled to absolutely free delivery, including caesarean section, in public health institutions. Besides the free ant-natal and post-natal check-ups, this new scheme provides for free diagnostics, free medicines, free consumables, free food during hospital stay, free caesarean section and free blood, if required and free transport to health facility and drop back home. Similar entitlements are also available to sick newborns up to 30 days after birth. 

Shri Azad said Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) has been put in place to reach out to every pregnant woman for proper care during pregnancy and to every child for proper vaccination. Information is collected to track every mother and child by name, address and telephone for which a BPO type system has been set up in the Ministry to verify the data and inform the women of the check-ups and immunization schedule. Data entry of more than 3.5 crore women and 2.7 crore children has been done so far.In a unique initiative, the government has also launched a scheme wherein male and female contraceptives are being delivered at the doorstep of households in the high focus districts of the country by the ASHAs at a nominal cost (Rs.1 for Rs.5 packet; app 20% of the cost).Another scheme was initiated for the promotion of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years in rural areas. The scheme covers about 1.5 crore girls in the age group of 10-19 years in 152 districts of 20 states. 

He said the childbearing women need a “continuum of care” to ensure the best possible health outcome for them and their newborns. The continuum starts from before conception to childhood through pregnancy, childbirth and infancy. If complications occur, women and their newborns need care at secondary or tertiary level. The successful provision of a continuum of care requires a well-functioning and quality conscious health system, which includes the regulatory framework and policies that support provision of effective maternal and newborn health through skilled attendants. Many innovative steps have been taken to improve the healthcare services and general well-being of our population, particularly women and children. The need of the hour is to prioritize available resources into health facilities which need them the most and institute effective mechanisms for regular monitoring quality of services. Greater engagement of Medical College faculty, Professional Bodies like FOGSI, the private sector and civil society are welcome developments. The involvement of large number of professionals under the banner of FOGSI will build up further partnerships in implementation of evidence based strategies, research and training of service providers, particularly in inaccessible and hard to reach areas, he added. 

It may be mentioned that the All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AICOG) is the important annual event on the academic calendar of the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) involved with women’s health. Gynecologists and medical experts from India and abroad participate in the academic event. The programme includes pre-congress workshops, continuous medical education sessions, detailed scientific sessions, free paper and poster presentations. FOGSI is the professional organization representing practitioners of obstetrics and gynecology in India. With 219 member societies and over 27,000 individual members spread over the length and breadth of the country, FOGSI is one of the largest membership based organizations of specialized professionals. FOGSI has close links and affiliation with international and regional organizations like FIGO, AOFOG and SAFOG.