Two Gaganyaan astronauts shortlisted, one to travel to International Space Station on NASA mission this year

indianexpress.com/article/india/2-gaganyaan-astronauts-to-go-to-iss-aboard-the-axiom-4-mission-9435821

July 6, 2024

Soyuz spacecraft docked to the International Space Station (Image credit: NASA)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has shortlisted two of its four trained Gaganyaan astronauts for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with United States’ NASA later this year, according to officials in the know of the matter. Only one of the shortlisted astronauts will go on the mission which is supposed to take place “no earlier than October 2024,” according to the information available on NASA website.

The mission will take place “no earlier than October 2024,” according to the information available on NASA website.

The astronauts will have to go to the United States ahead of the mission to train on the specifics of the ISS, said one of the officials quoted above.

Also Read | Express View on Gaganyaan: Sky’s not the limit

“While they have general training for space-fairing, much of their training in India focussed on Gaganyaan modules. They will have to be familiarised with ISS modules and protocols,” the official said.

The Axiom-4 mission, which will take the Indian astronauts to the ISS, is the fourth private astronaut mission of NASA and a private US company Axiom Space. The mission is expected to dock with the ISS for fourteen days. At the time when the Axiom-4 mission was announced last year, NASA in a release had said: “The Ax-4 crew members will train with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX for their flight. Axiom Space has contracted SpaceX as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station, and to familiarize the private astronauts with systems, procedures, and emergency preparedness for the Dragon spacecraft.”

Also Read | What the success of Gaganyaan could mean for Indian science

This has been in the works for a while. Last year, a joint statement by India and US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US had said that NASA would provide advance training to Indian astronauts. Later the same year, NASA administrator Bill Nelson during his Delhi visit had said that the space agency will train an Indian astronaut for a mission to the International Space Station by 2024 end.

India’s own human spaceflight is unlikely to take place before 2025, with the first unmanned flight still to take off. The first flight carrying humans will be launched only after two successful unmanned flights.

Anonna Dutt

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

 

Salman Khan grooves to 'Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai'; Ranveer Singh dances on 'No Entry' - Inside video from Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's sangeet go VIRAL

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/salman-khan-grooves-to-aisa-pehli-baar-hua-hai-ranveer-singh-dances-on-no-entry-inside-video-from-anant-ambani-and-radhika-merchants-sangeet-go-viral/articleshow/111527562.cms

TOI Entertainment Desk / etimes.in / Updated: Jul 6, 2024, 10:54 IST

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• Salman Khan grooves to 'Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai'; Ranveer Singh dances on 'No Entry' - Inside video from Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's sangeet go VIRAL

One of the most talked-about moments of the evening was Ranveer Singh's energetic performance to the song Ishq Di Gali Vich from the 2005 film No Entry. Dressed in a sleeveless silver shirt and ripped jeans, Ranveer showcased his signature dance moves, much to the delight of the audience as seen in the video. Deepika Padukone, who is currently expecting her first child with Ranveer, made a stunning entrance at the sangeet, flaunting her baby bump in a royal pruple saree.

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding festivities kick started with a grand sangeet ceremony hosted at the NMACC, Mumbai on Friday night. Who's who of Bollywood was in attendance at the bash, which witnessed a special performance by Justin Bieber. Apart from the global pop sensation's electrifying act, several Bollywood celebrities took over the stage for some desi fun.

One of the most talked-about moments of the evening was Ranveer Singh's energetic performance to the song Ishq Di Gali Vich from the 2005 film No Entry.

Dressed in a sleeveless silver shirt and ripped jeans, Ranveer showcased his signature dance moves, much to the delight of the audience as seen in the video. Deepika Padukone, who is currently expecting her first child with Ranveer, made a stunning entrance at the sangeet, flaunting her baby bump in a royal pruple saree.

Salman Khan was also seen performing to the song 'Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai' with the groom-to-be Anant, Meezaan Jafri, Veer and Shikhar Pahariya. Inside videos also see Salman interacting with Anant Ambani. Janhvi Kapoor was spotted hugging Sidharth Malhotra and his wife, actress Kiara Advani, while Varun Dhawan, who recently became a father, met Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and director Atlee.

The starry sangeet night also saw Ananya Panday was seen shaking a leg with Vidya Balan, and Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan was captured in conversation with Amitabh Bachchan's granddaughter, Navya Naveli Nanda. Apart from all the Bollywood celebrities, the Ambanis also performed a cute family dance on Deewangi Deewangi from Shah Rukh Khan's hit movie Om Shanti Om.

The sangeet ceremony is just the beginning of Anant and Radhika's lavish pre-wedding celebrations. The couple is set to tie the knot next week with events going on for three-days - which includes Shubh Vivaah on July 12, Shubh Aashirwad on July 13, and Mangal Utsav or the wedding reception on July 14.

About the Author

TOI Entertainment Desk

The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu's hydrogen peroxide nebulisation post sparked a clash with Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, who called her 'health and science illiterate.' Samantha defended her lengthy clarification, citing educated doctors, financial hardships, and MD advice. Dr. Philips, via X, criticized her alternative therapy endorsements, past controversies, and ignoring medical science, accusing her of victim-playing.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu's latest post on the use of hydrogen peroxide nebulisation has not gone down well with a Dr Cyriac Abby Philips aka The Liver Doc, leading to the duo ending up in a virtual war of words of sorts.

Samantha Should Be 'Thrown in Prison': Here's Why a Doctor Wants Her Behind Bars

After Samantha's post, The Liver Doc penned a strongly-worded note, slamming the actress and calling her “health and science illiterate.” Reacting to it, Samantha issued a lenghty clarification and referred to the “Liver Doc” as a “certain gentleman” and explained, "I am not naïve enough to go about strongly advocating a treatment.

I merely suggested with good intention because of all that I have faced and learnt in the last couple of years. Especially that treatments can be financially draining and many may not be able to afford them. End of the day, we all depend on educated doctors to guide us. This treatment was suggested to me by a highly qualified doctor who is an MD, who has served DRDO for 25 years. He, after all his education in conventional medicine, chose to advocate an alternate therapy."

In reaction to Samantha's clarification, The Liver Doc released yet another post on X, accusing the actress of playing the ‘victim card’ and stating that Samantha “is a serial offender in the context of healthcare misinformation.” Pointedly mentioning the actress, his statement read, "Ms. Samantha Ruth Prabhu has responded to my "provocative" criticism of her endorsement of unscientific, pseudoscientific and baseless alternative medicine therapies by playing the victim card and endorsing more alternative practices. Please note, she is a serial offender in the context of healthcare misinformation and she has been in the line of fire previously too. The reason why doctors like me have to spend (waste) time from our busy schedules to fight misinformation online is because it is peddled by large influential "celebrity" accounts that have no regard for public health."

"Everyone role plays the victim of "scientific criticism" but will keep embracing and holding on to dogmatic views in healthcare, traditional untested observations or debunked dangerous therapies without shame or self reflection. If celebrity influencers really want to impact people positively, then start unlearning and re-learn, develop critical thinking skills, disregard logical fallacies and stand up for medical science instead of "playing victim" of the same science that is helping you, and all of us, survive into the future. I won't be commenting or debunking any of Samantha's future endorsements of pseudoscientific alternative public health endangering posts because," he concluded the post.

Doctor Labels Samantha Ruth Prabhu 'Illiterate' Over Nebulisation Post, Actress Reacts

About the Author

TOI Entertainment Desk

The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.

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What a lucky girl: Justin Bieber’s desi fans feel jealous as he gives Javed Jaaferi’s daughter a hug at Ambani sangeet

hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/anant-ambani-radhika-merchant-sangeet-jaaved-jaaferi-daughter-alaviaa-hugs-justin-bieber-internet-reacts-101720245925625.html

July 6, 2024

ByAnanya Das

After Justin Bieber hugged Alaviaa Jaaferi, she was seen laughing and blushing. For the event, Alaviaa wore a golden and beige outfit.

Canadian popstar Justin Bieber made Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's sangeet ceremony extra special with his energetic performance. Now, a video has emerged of Jaaved Jaaferi's daughter, Alaviaa Jaaferi, having her fangirl moment at the event. (Also Read | Justin Bieber wins crowd at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s sangeet with his songs. Watch)

Alaviaa Jaaferi and Justin Bieber at Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant's sangeet.

Justin hugs Alaviaa

In a video, Justin performed on stage as the guests stood around it. As Justin sang, he held Alaviaa and brought her up on stage. They then shared a hug. A laughing and blushing Alaviaa kept shaking her head as her friends screamed. For the event, Alaviaa wore a golden and beige outfit.

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Alaviaa shares videos of Justin

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Alaviaa shared a bunch of videos of Justin performing at the event. In one of the videos, she wrote, “Sorry for the spam in advance.”

Alaviaa shared a bunch of videos of Justin performing at the event.

Reacting to the clip, a fan said, "How lucky she is." A comment read, "On loop, omg, I am crying." A person wrote, "I feel so jealous. She is so lucky to hug Justin." An Instagram user said, "Woah! That's huge! She's blushing, laughing, and might even cry. Big moment."

Justin performed at the sangeet

Justin was seen smiling, laughing and shaking hands with those standing near the stage. He also held his mic near the guests as they sang along with him. For the event, Justin wore a jacket over a white vest and black baggy pants. He also wore his signature style cap for the occasion.

Justin interacted with the guests at the event while performing on the stage. He made guests groove on songs such as Baby, Never Let You Go, Love Yourself, Peaches, Boyfriend, Sorry, and Where Are U Now. Justin was later spotted leaving Mumbai in the early hours of Saturday. He arrived in Mumbai on Friday.

Justin's first concert in India was held in 2017. He was supposed to return to the country in 2022, but the tour was cancelled due to the singer's bad health.

About Anant and Radhika's wedding ceremonies

Coming back to sangeet, it turned out to be a star-studded affair. From Salman Khan to Madhuri Dixit, many celebrities marked their presence at the function of Anant and Radhika at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai on Friday.

The main ceremonies will commence on July 12, with the auspicious Shubh Vivah, or wedding function. The celebrations will continue on July 13, with Shubh Aashirwad. The final event, Mangal Utsav or the wedding reception, is scheduled for July 14.

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