General
‘Chandrayaan 3 Landing Will Be Postponed To August 27, If Factors Unfavourable’, Says ISRO Scientist
Ahmedabad, August 21: If any factor regarding the lander module appears unfavourable, then the landing will be shifted to August 27, said the Space Applications Centre-ISRO about Chandrayaan-3 on Monday. Nilesh M Desai, director of Space Applications Centre-ISRO, Ahmedabad said that the decision regarding the landing will be taken based on the health of the lander module and the conditions on the Moon.
Decision will be taken hours before landing on August 23
“On August 23, two hours before Chandrayaan-3 lands on the Moon, we will decide on whether or not it will be appropriate to land it at that time based on the health of the lander module and the conditions on the Moon. In case, if any factor appears to be not favourable, then we will land the module on the Moon on August 27. No problem should occur and we will be able to land the module on August 23,” Director Desai said.
ISRO Chairman and Secretary Department of Space S Somanath called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh in New Delhi today and apprised him of the status and readiness of ‘Chandrayaan-3’ for the moon landing scheduled on August 23, 2023.
ISRO Chairman briefs Minister Jitendra Singh
Chairman ISRO briefed the minister on the health status of Chandrayaan-3 and said that all systems are working perfectly and no contingencies are anticipated on Wednesday. In the next two days, the health of Chandrayaan-3 will be continuously monitored. The final sequence of landing will be loaded two days ahead and tested out, he said.
Jitendra Singh expressed his confidence in ‘Chandrayaan-3’
During the meeting, Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his confidence in ‘Chandrayaan-3’ making a soft landing this time and hoped that it will script a new history of planetary exploration under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ISRO said the Chandrayaan-3 is set to land on the moon on August 23, 2023, around 18:04 hours IST. Live actions will be available on the ISRO website, its YouTube channel, Facebook, and public broadcaster DD National TV from 17:27 IST on Aug 23, 2023.
While the Chandrayaan-2 mission was only “partially successful” since the lander lost contact after a hard landing, the ISRO successfully established two-way communication between the Chandrayaan-3 lander module and the still-orbiting Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. In a significant development, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter which was already fixed around the moon established a two-way connection with the lander module of Chandrayaan-3 on Monday.
ISRO shared images of far side of the moon
Earlier today, the ISRO shared new images of the lunar far side area captured by the Chandrayaan-3. India will be the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat after the United States, Russia, and China, but India will be the only country in the world to land on the lunar south pole.
The primary objectives of the Chandrayaan-3 mission are threefold — to demonstrate safe and soft landing on lunar surface; to demonstrate rover roving on the moon, and to conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
Chandrayaan-3’s development phase commenced in January 2020 with the launch planned sometime in 2021. However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought an unforeseen delay to the mission’s progress.
Jitendra Singh recalled that the first in the series of Chandrayaan — namely Chandrayaan-1, is credited for having discovered the presence of water on the surface of the Moon, which was a new revelation for the world and even the premier Space agencies like the USA’s NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) were fascinated by this discovery and used the inputs for their further experiments.
Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched on July 14, 2023, via the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota at 2:35 PM.
Ahead of the much-awaited soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the Moon, former director of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and in-charge of the previous lunar mission ‘Chandrayaan-2’, K Sivan earlier today said that the mission will be a “grand success”. “It’s a very anxious moment…I’m sure that this time it will be a grand success,” Sivan said while speaking to news agency.
“We have our own system and we will be establishing a soft landing without any problem. But it is a complex process,” he said while responding to a question asked whether there would be any impact after the failure of Russia’s Luna-25 mission. Russia’s moon mission failed after its Luna-25 spacecraft spun out of control and smashed into the moon on Sunday.
He said that corrective measures have been taken after going through data generated by the Chandrayaan-2 mission. When asked if those additional systems too were indigenous, Sivan said, “Everything is indigenous.”
Earlier today, ISRO released images of the lunar far side area captured by the Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC). This camera assists in locating a safe landing area — without boulders or deep trenches — during the descent.
Notably, the ‘Vikram’ lander module of the spacecraft successfully separated from the propulsion module recently, and subsequently underwent crucial deboosting manoeuvres and descended to a slightly lower orbit. The Chandrayaan-3 mission’s lander is named after Vikram Sarabhai (1919–1971), who is widely regarded as the father of the Indian space program.
A GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle was used for the launch of the spacecraft that was placed in the lunar orbit on August 5 and since then it has been through a series of orbital manoeuvres been lowered closer to the moon’s surface.
It has been a month and seven days since the Indian Space Research Organisation launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission on July 14. The spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.
The stated objectives of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, are safe and soft landing, rover roving on the moon’s surface, and in-situ scientific experiments. The approved cost of Chandrayaan-3 is Rs 250 crores (excluding launch vehicle cost).
Chandrayaan 3 development phase commenced in January 2020
Chandrayaan-3’s development phase commenced in January 2020 with the launch planned sometime in 2021. However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought an unforeseen delay to the mission’s progress.
The key scientific outcomes from Chandrayaan-2 include the first-ever global map for lunar sodium, enhancing knowledge on crater size distribution, unambiguous detection of lunar surface water ice with IIRS instrument, and more.
Maharashtra
Sadanand Date appointed as Maharashtra Police chief, Rashmi Shukla takes charge

Sadanand Date took over as DGP of Mumbai Maharashtra from his counterpart Rashmi Shukla. After the retirement of Rashmi Shukla, the state government had recommended the names of senior IPS officers including Date, after which Date was made a contender for the post of DGP. Sadanand Date has also rendered excellent service as the head of the National Security Agency NIA. He has played an important role in the investigation of the Delhi Red Fort bomb blast, Pahalgam attack and the extradition of the main accused of Mumbai attacks, Tahur Hussain Rana. In 92% of the cases registered by the NIA, the accused have been convicted. Date was first transferred to the Maharashtra cadre and then he was appointed as Rashmi Shukla’s successor today. Other issues including administration in Maharashtra are also a big challenge for Date. Date is skilled in his work. He has previously worked in many sensitive places. Date has also rendered good service as the head of Maharashtra ATS. Apart from this, he also had the honor of being elected the first Police Commissioner of Mira Bhayandar Commissionerate. Sadanand Date is considered an honest and dutiful officer. First, he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and then took charge of his post. Date is a 1990 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
Mumbai BMC elections: Abu Asim Azmi appeals to disgruntled Samajwadi Party workers

In the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has appealed to the claimants deprived of party tickets that if for some reason any candidate has not got a party ticket, the party leadership will provide them with an opportunity in the future, but in this election, they should show unity with the Samajwadi Party candidates for the problems and rights of the people. He said that in the BMC elections, the Samajwadi Party had decided to field candidates on 150 seats so that the socialist ideology would be promoted. The candidates on the party ticket were provided with tickets and the candidates also filed their candidatures, but unfortunately, many claimants did not get tickets because there were many difficulties in the distribution of tickets. Thank you to everyone for contesting elections on the party ticket in Mumbai and promoting the party’s ideology. Candidates were announced in several wards in a phased manner and 150 candidates have been fielded for the election phase. Abu Asim Azmi said that I appeal to all the workers and contenders to work for the party candidate instead of getting angry over the deprivation of the ticket because it is our responsibility to strengthen the party and promote the ideology of the Samajwadi Party. The candidates who have not been given a chance this time should not be unhappy. The election is not just for one candidate but for the ideology of the party. Whoever is given the ticket, he is the face and candidate of the Samajwadi Party. Therefore, the party should support the candidate and strengthen the party. It is a victory of unity. You will all work for the Samajwadi Party to raise your voice on the problems of the citizens and I am sure that the Samajwadi Party will make history this time.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Municipal Corporation General Elections: Election Officer issues strict instructions to implement election rules and code of conduct guidelines, security arrangements tightened

The Mumbai Municipal Corporation General Elections are a very important process of democracy and the responsibility of conducting them successfully, transparently and fairly lies with all the concerned central and state officers and employees. It is mandatory to record every action correctly and timely as per the rules during the period of the code of conduct. Discipline, peace and justice are the fundamental aspects of the election process and they should be strictly followed. Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani has given a stern warning that no kind of mistake, negligence or violation of rules will be tolerated. The election laws and guidelines should be strictly implemented at every stage. Shri Gagrani also informed that if these instructions are followed, the trust of the citizens in the administration will be strengthened. In connection with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation General Elections 2025-26, Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani held a meeting of the Chief Monitoring Committee today. The meeting held at the Municipal Corporation headquarters discussed in detail the preparations for the pre-elections, law and order, strict adherence to the code of conduct, the work of various flying squads and monitoring of suspicious and large-scale transactions. On this occasion, Gagrani gave necessary instructions to the concerned agencies.
On this occasion, Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Mr. Satyanarayan Chaudhary, Special Duty Officer (Election) of the Municipal Corporation Mr. Vijay Balmwar, Joint Commissioner (Tax Assessment and Collection) Mr. Vishwas Shankarwar, Additional Collector of the Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Office) Mr. Paresh Shankarwar were present. (Konkan Division) Frog Macadam, Assistant Commissioner (Tax Assessment and Collection) Mr. Gajanan Belle was accompanied by representatives from the Reserve Bank of India, well-known District Banks, Airport Authority of India, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Force, Indian Coast Guard and other departments of the State Department. Municipal Corporation Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani said that the Municipal Corporation administration and the election machinery are committed to ensuring that the Mumbai Municipal Corporation general elections 2025-26 are held in a completely fearless, free, transparent and orderly atmosphere.
Comprehensive and extensive preparations have been made in this regard. The role of various machinery is very important in the entire election process. To promote democratic values and ensure that the electoral process remains fair, transparent and credible, all central and state machinery should strictly follow the code of conduct framed by the State Election Commission and should fully cooperate with the municipal corporation administration. Gagrani appealed that good planning should be done to create a positive, exemplary and exemplary example in the electoral process. Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chowdhury said that necessary police personnel have been made available for the flying squads established in the administrative divisions of the municipal corporation. The place where the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) has been placed and necessary security has been deployed at the counting centre. Police security will be provided during the transportation of the EVM. A contingency plan for the elections has been prepared by the police department. The process of confiscation of weapons has been initiated. Notices have been sent to all arms holders by the Mumbai Police Department. Orders for confiscation of weapons have been issued as per the report of the local police station. Precautionary measures and necessary deportation cases are being disposed of immediately. Instructions have been given to the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Police Inspector to take necessary action to maintain law and order. Social media is being monitored independently. Chaudhry said that the responsibility has been entrusted to the Cyber Cell of the police.
If illegal money is being transferred at airports and railway stations, regular action should be taken in this regard. Action should be taken to report suspicious and large-value transactions to the Income Tax Department as per the existing procedure. It was also directed in this meeting that reports of large and suspicious withdrawals of money and gift cards should also be reported immediately to the Income Tax Department.
-
Crime3 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra1 year agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News1 year agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News1 year agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime1 year agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
