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Monday,06-January-2025
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Nuclear scientist Chidambaram passes away; PM Modi expresses condolences

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Chennai, Jan 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the demise of veteran nuclear scientist Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, who passed away at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday, January 4, after a brief illness at the age of 88.

Dr. Chidambaram played a pivotal role in India’s nuclear weapons programme. He was instrumental in India’s first nuclear test in 1974 and the Pokhran-II tests in 1998, which established the country as a nuclear power.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said: “Deeply saddened by the demise of Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram. He was one of the key architects of India’s nuclear programme and made ground-breaking contributions in strengthening India’s scientific and strategic capabilities. He will be remembered with gratitude by the whole nation, and his efforts will inspire generations to come.”

Dr. Chidambaram served in several key scientific and strategic positions, including Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

He was also Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A distinguished academic, Dr. Chidambaram graduated with a B.Sc. Honours in Physics from Presidency College, Chennai, where he was a first-rank holder.

He later pursued a doctorate at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), earning a Ph.D. in 1962.

His thesis, focussing on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, earned him the Martin Forster Medal for the best doctoral thesis submitted to IISc.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Chidambaram received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

He was also awarded honorary doctorates from multiple universities and was a fellow of several prominent Indian and international science academies.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his condolences on X stating: “Saddened to learn about the passing away this morning of eminent nuclear scientist Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, who led India’s Atomic Energy Commission and played a key role in the development of strategic weapons. Dr. Chidambaram’s role in the two nuclear tests conducted by India was memorable.”

Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, described Dr. Chidambaram’s passing as an “irreparable loss” to the scientific community and the nation.

He added: “His contributions to India’s nuclear prowess and strategic self-reliance will never be forgotten.”

Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram’s legacy as one of India’s most celebrated scientists and a key architect of its nuclear programme will continue to inspire generations.

Entertainment

‘Toxic’ team releases Yash’s poster, hints at big update on South superstar’s birthday

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Bengaluru, Jan 6: The team of one of the most anticipated movies in South Indian cinema, superstar Yash starrer ‘Toxic’ has hinted at a big update on the movie on the occasion of the actor’s birthday on January 8.

KVN productions, the company rolling out the movie and the superstar have shared the poster on social media.

The poster says, “His untamed presence is your existential crisis.”

Further, the poster mentions the date of his birthday and also gives the time, 10.25 am, below it.

Sources confirmed that on the occasion of Yash’s birthday, the film team is going to give a big update on the movie.

It is not confirmed whether it’s going to be a trailer or another teaser.

However, the fans have gone crazy over the update and are looking forward to his birthday.

‘Toxic’ is directed by Geetu Mohandas, a young director from the Malayalam film industry.

Yash shared the poster on his social media handle X with the post, “Unleashing him”.

The poster presents Yash in a dark backdrop standing beside a vintage car and blowing smoke from a cigar.

Earlier, Yash had requested his fans not to get upset as he would not be able to celebrate his birthday with them in Bengaluru.

Yash had stated, “My dearest well-wishers. As the new year dawns, it’s a time for reflection, resolutions, and charting a new course. The love you all have showered on me over the years has been nothing short of phenomenal. But, there have been some unfortunate incidents too.”

“It’s time for us to change our language of love, especially when it comes to the celebration of my birthday. The expression of your love should not be in grand gestures and gatherings. The greatest gift for me is knowing you are safe, setting positive examples, achieving your goals, and spreading joy,” Yash appealed.

“I will be busy shooting and will not be in town on my birthday. However, the warmth of your wishes will always reach me and be my constant companion, fueling my spirit and inspiring me. Stay safe, and I wish you all a very happy 2025,” Yash underlined.

The comments from the star are significant as last year three persons were killed and three others suffered serious injuries while they were erecting a huge cut-out of Yash to wish him on his birthday.

The incident took place in the wee hours of January 8, 2024 in Soranagi village near Lakshmeshwar town in Gadag district, Karnataka.

Yash paid a visit to the families of the deceased fans and offered his condolences.

Yash had further declared that he would stand with the bereaved families like their son and would do whatever was required for them.

“This is not the appropriate time to make announcements. They will be taken care of. This should not set a precedent,” he had stated.

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health

ICMR detects 2 cases of HMPV in Karnataka with no travel history: Centre

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New Delhi, Jan 6: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka with no travel history, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday.

The HMPV infections were detected via routine surveillance in a 3-month-old girl and an 8-month-old boy in Bengaluru.

The infection was identified after the children were admitted to Bengaluru’s Baptist Hospital. Both children had a history of bronchopneumonia — a form of pneumonia, a lung infection. Bronchopneumonia affects both the alveoli in the lungs and the bronchi.

“Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country,” the health ministry statement said.

The ministry noted that while the baby girl “has been discharged”, the baby boy “is now recovering”.

“It is important to note that neither of the affected patients have any history of international travel,” the Ministry said.

HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries, particularly China.

“Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels,” it said noting that, “there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country”.

The Ministry stated that “ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year”. Meanwhile, it also reiterated that “India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses and public health interventions can be deployed promptly if needed”.

HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.

Earlier, Dr Atul Goel, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), shared that the disease can lead to “flu-like symptoms,” in the elderly and very young children.

“There is no need for alarm, about the present situation,” he added.

Goel also suggested regular precautions against respiratory infections.

“If somebody has a cough and cold, you should avoid coming in contact with a lot of people so that the infection does not spread,” he said.

“Use a distinct handkerchief or towel for coughing and sneezing and take normal medicines that are required for cold or fever whenever it is there, otherwise there is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation,” Goel noted.

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International News

EAM Jaishankar meets US NSA Jake Sullivan; discusses bilateral ties

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New Delhi, Jan 6: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday met US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan in New Delhi to discuss a wide range of strategic, regional, and bilateral issues.

The meeting took place as Sullivan, the outgoing US NSA, embarked on a two-day visit to India, concluding one of the last high-profile engagements of the Biden administration before the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.

Sullivan’s visit is aimed at reviewing the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), a significant partnership framework to expand strategic ties between the two nations.

His itinerary includes meetings with NSA Ajit Doval and a visit to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he will interact with young Indian entrepreneurs and deliver a speech on the bilateral innovation alliance under iCET.

In his discussions with Doval, Sullivan is expected to delve into the implementation of iCET initiatives. These include cooperation in areas such as space, defence, strategic technology, and shared security priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both NSAs have previously stressed the transformative potential of iCET in strengthening the India-US partnership. During a roundtable in June 2024, NSA Doval had underscored the importance of staying at the forefront of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology, to protect shared value systems.

“iCET has achieved more than what we could imagine,” Doval remarked, highlighting progress in the defence innovation roadmap and the burgeoning semiconductor industry.

Sullivan had echoed similar sentiments, identifying innovation, production, and deployment as the three pillars of the technology partnership and emphasising the importance of government support for private sector initiatives.

The visit follows EAM Jaishankar’s recent six-day trip to the US, during which he met several senior officials of the Biden administration, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan. The meetings reviewed the progress of the India-US partnership over the past four years.

“Good to meet US NSA Jake Sullivan in Washington DC this morning. A wide-ranging discussion on the progress of the India-US strategic partnership. Also exchanged views on current regional and global developments,” Jaishankar posted on X after their meeting.

The iCET, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden in May 2022, has been lauded as a defining element of the India-US strategic relationship, driving advancements in critical sectors such as defence, semiconductors, and Artificial Intelligence.

As Sullivan wraps up his visit, the discussions are expected to set the stage for continued collaboration under the Trump administration, with both nations poised to deepen their strategic and technological ties.

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