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The Ofek 19 satellite

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 The dramatic nighttime launch of Ofek 19—Israel’s latest  reconnaissance satellite—soaring skyward aboard a three-stage Shavit rocket. Let’s unpack what media outlets and official sources are reporting about this significant technological leap. Key Highlights from Media Reports  1. Launch Details & Technical Overview When & how: Ofek 19 lifted off on the night of September 2, 2025, around 22:30 IST, from a secure site within central Israel using a three-stage Shavit launcher. It successfully entered orbit, started transmitting, and began a series of initial tests. Orbit specifics: Positioned approximately 500 km above Earth, the satellite completes an orbit every 90 minutes. Advanced imaging: Ofek 19 is equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) enabling day-and-night, all-weather, high-resolution reconnaissance. It’s capable of detecting objects as small as 0.5 m across.  2. Strategic Importance & Regional Surveillance Expanding capabiliti...

India–Russia Partnership: Ancient to Modern Introduction 

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India–Russia Partnership: Ancient to Modern Introduction  India and Russia share a relationship that has evolved over centuries, from cultural and intellectual exchanges in ancient times to deep strategic and defense cooperation in the modern era. This bond is often described as “time-tested,” as it has survived shifting global dynamics while retaining mutual trust and respect. Ancient and Early Contacts  The connections between India and the regions of present-day Russia can be traced to ancient trade routes like the Silk Road. Indian ideas such as Buddhism reached Central Asia and later influenced Russian lands. In the 15th century, Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin visited India and recorded his experiences in “Journey Beyond Three Seas,” giving Russia one of its earliest detailed accounts of India’s society and culture. 19th Century Cultural and Intellectual Links  In the 19th century, Russian thinkers and writers developed a fascination with Indian philoso...

Top Nuclear Power Nations: Ancient to Modern :

  Top Nuclear Power Nations: Ancient to Modern  : Top Nuclear Power Nations: Ancient to Modern Introduction The concept of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons has transformed the global balance of power in modern history. While the word “nuclear” is modern, the roots of atomic understanding go back to ancient civilizations that explored the idea of indivisible particles. Over time, scientific discoveries during the 19th and 20th centuries paved the way for nuclear technology, which today defines the geopolitical strength of many nations. This article explores the journey of nuclear knowledge from ancient concepts to modern nuclear power nations that dominate global security and energy production. Ancient Understanding of Atomic Theory Ancient India and Greece : The earliest concepts of the atom date back to ancient philosophers. In India, sage Kanada (6th century BCE) proposed the theory of "anu" (atom) as the smallest indivisible particle. Similarly, in Greece, Democr...

विक्रम-32 (Vikram 3201) 

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 विक्रम-32 (Vikram 3201)  विक्रम-32 (Vikram 3201): भारत का पहला स्वदेशी 32-बिट स्पेस-ग्रेड माइक्रोप्रोसेसर भारत की सेमीकंडक्टर यात्रा का ऐतिहासिक क्षण  सेमिकॉन इंडिया 2025 सम्मेलन के दौरान केंद्रीय मंत्री अश्विनी वैष्णव ने प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी को भारत का पहला पूर्णतः स्वदेशी 32-बिट माइक्रोप्रोसेसर ‘विक्रम-32’ (Vikram 3201) भेंट किया। यह क्षण भारत की आत्मनिर्भरता की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण उपलब्धि माना गया, खासकर अंतरिक्ष और रक्षा अनुसंधान के लिए (Economic Times, Times of India)। अंतरिक्ष की कठिन परिस्थितियों के लिए तैयार  इस चिप को इसरो (ISRO) के विक्रम साराभाई अंतरिक्ष केंद्र (VSSC) ने डिज़ाइन किया है और इसे चंडीगढ़ स्थित इसरो के सेमीकंडक्टर लैब (SCL) में 180 नैनोमीटर CMOS प्रोसेस से तैयार किया गया है। यह चिप –55°C से +125°C तक के तापमान और उच्च कंपन व विकिरण (Radiation) जैसी कठिन परिस्थितियों में काम करने में सक्षम है। यह गुण इसे अंतरिक्ष मिशनों के लिए विशेष रूप से उपयुक्त बनाते हैं (ISRO.gov.in)। मुख्य विशेषताएँ और नवाचार विशेषता विवरण आर्किटेक्चर ...

India's indegegenous  Vikram-32 chip

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India's indegegenous   Vikram-32 chip Vikram-32 (Vikram 3201): India’s First Indigenous 32-Bit Space-Grade Microprocessor A Landmark Moment for India’s Semiconductor Journey At Semicon India 2025 , Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the Vikram-32 chip —formally known as Vikram 3201 —to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marked the debut of India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, specially developed for aerospace and satellite applications . Designed for the Harshness of Space Developed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and fabricated at ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh using a 180 nm CMOS process , the chip is engineered to endure the extremes of space—ranging from –55 °C to +125 °C—as well as intense vibration and radiation . Key Specifications & Innovations Feature Details Architecture 32-bit design with custom instruction set, successor to Vikram 1601 (16-bit) used since 2009 Floating...

The impact of Trump’s tariffs on India

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 T he impact of Trump’s tariffs on India Overview: What Happened? Tariff Escalation : In August 2025, the Trump administration doubled tariffs on Indian goods—starting with a 25% "reciprocal" tariff and adding another 25% in retaliation for India's continued purchase of Russian oil—bringing the total tariff to 50% , one of the steepest levies ever imposed on a trade partner. Scale of Impact : These tariffs affect approximately 55–66% of India’s annual exports to the U.S. , which are valued around $86–87 billion . Economic Consequences for India 1. Export Collapse in Key Sectors Labour-intensive industries such as textiles, apparel, gems, jewellery, carpets, leather goods, and seafood could see a 70% plunge in exports . Overall, shipments to the U.S. may drop from $86.5 billion to about $50 billion. 2. GDP Growth Hit Economists estimate the tariffs could shave off up to 1 percentage point from India’s GDP growth this fiscal year. Some ...

Causes of Floods in Punjab in 2025

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Causes of Floods in Punjab 1. Heavy Monsoon Rainfall Punjab receives most of its rain during the monsoon (July–September). Excessive and prolonged rainfall often exceeds the capacity of rivers and canals. Cloudbursts and sudden heavy showers increase the risk of flash floods. Overflowing of major rivers like Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar is a common phenomenon. 2. Overflowing Rivers and Catchment Pressure Water flow from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir adds to Punjab’s rivers. Catchment areas receive intense rainfall, leading to excess water downstream. Sutlej and Beas rivers often breach embankments during peak rains. 3. Poor Drainage and Waterlogging Lack of proper stormwater drainage systems in urban and rural areas. Encroachment and construction block natural drainage channels. Waterlogging in Malwa region worsens flooding due to soil conditions and improper water disposal. 4. Dam and Reservoir Releases Sudden release of excess wat...