PSLV C8 A Commercial Success.

PSLV Successfully Launches Italian Satellite

In its eleventh flight, conducted from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, this afternoon (April 23, 2007), ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C8, successfully launched the 352 kg Italian astronomical satellite, AGILE, into a 550 km circular orbit, inclined at an angle of 2.5 deg to the equator. PSLV-C8 mission was unique in many respects.

In this mission, PSLV was flown, for the first time, without the six strap-on motors of the first stage. Also, for the first time, PSLV launched a satellite into an equatorial
circular orbit of 550 km. PSLV-C8 was the first major commercial launch the contract for which was won against stiff international competition.

Along with the Italian satellite, AGILE, an Advanced Avionics Module (AAM), weighing 185 kg, to test advanced launch vehicle avionics systems like mission computers, navigation and telemetry systems, was also flown on PSLV-C8. All the operational flights of PSLV so far have been successful and thus PSLV has emerged as the workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO..... more

The 42-hour countdown for the launch of 11th flight of PSLV ended and it took off from the launch pad carrying with it the Italian Satellite and a new hope.

The successful Launch of PSLV- C8 is surely a big leap for ISRO. This is the first totally Commercial Flight and opens up the prospects of a huge market. But besides all, this success is a boost for the Dream of Space Researchers and Technocrats- Dream of a journey to the Moon. PSLV or Polar Satelite Launch Vehical has an important task to perform in the next few years- It would also launch India's first mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-1 in 2008.

I wish that dream comes to reality soon. But soemtimes I question, whether it's required? why we spend so much of money to know about outer space when a child beside us is dying out of Hunger?

May be it is. because we are also hungry for knowledge and power. And

So I congratulate the Scientists and I also wish that they don't forget about the realities in India and all over the world...

Flying far is our dream and we'd have it done one day. but we all must fly together- like the migratory birds...

Indian Shooters shine at Australia Cup

These few days were really very exciting for the Shooting Sports in India, well almost all days are equally exciting..

Indian shooters have performed satisfactrily at the Australia Cup. and I hope this will continue in the upcoming Sydney World Cup as well.

After being away from the games for nine months, Abhinav Bindra shot to win the Gold . What a fantastic come back!. And it's a good sign that he's feeling fitter and better. Tejaswini Sawant brought a double delight with two Golds. However, T Raghunath got a little bit unlucky, but it happens...

I'm really happy with the Results. In all we have six medals- three Golds, Two Silvers and a Bronze. And yes, there are several top ten finishes and that's a nice performance, though I think we could have won more medals. Better Luck Next Time..

Australia Cup 2007 : Medals Eally for India:

Abhinav Bindra 697.7 (594+103.7): Gold: Men's 10m Air Rifle


Tejaswini Sawant (Ind) 498.7 (397+101.7): Gold:Women's 10m Air Rifle.

Tejaswini Sawant ( 588): Gold: Women's 50m Rifle Prone

Sanjeev Rajput 699.1 (597+102.1): Bronze: Men's 50m Rifle Prone

Vijay Kumar (562): Silver: Men's 25m Standard Pistol:


Vivek Singh 658 (560+98): Silver: Men's 50m Free Pistol

The Battle is not yet over...

I was away busy with daily routine and International Earth Day Activities and Then when I returned to the TV, I had two News waiting for me.

Roger Federer lost to Rafael NAdal in Monte carlo Masters and I was sad.
But as Indian shooters performed excidingly well in Australia giving me something to celebrate by the end of the day.

I couldn't see the Monte Carlo Final play live but I was watching the repeat of the Match and Believe me, I didn't feel like I used to feel earlier. I mean Roger lost to Rafa but I didn't get Frustrated or Didn't feel too Sad.
Because, As I watched the Recorded Match I observed a few things:
1.Roger was much more at ease compared to his first clash this week, he was less stiff.
2.His clay-play has definately changed (should be read as Improved) compared to that last year.
3.In the beginning, whenever Roger went close to the net he created troubles for Rafa, and then he started getting too desperate to serve and volley and seemed slightly impatient.
4. He was more composed than Rafa- both physically and psychologically
5. and a Drastic change- he was ENJOYING although it was a match against Rafa- and that's what I always like to see- Roger Enjoying the game.

Rafa has changed as well. His muscles have grown stronger and shots finer, but he still has problems with his fitness.I think, he'd have been a nice player had he not been playing in Roger's Era, and I DO BELIEVE that the He' no. 2 mainly because he's slightly better where Roger is slightly weaker. (otherwise he'd have been 3rd, or 4th or 6th, may be )
Oh, I've started enjoying their Rivalary much more, but I'd like to see their battles ending in Roger's favour.

Shootout in NASA

Not much days have passed since the Shootout at Verginia Tech. And America is shocked with another violent outbreak.

This time, it's in Campus of NASA- one of the places with highest and tightest security Systems. A gunman hijacked a lab room and locked two colleagues inside, he left the Girl unhurt but killed his another colleague with whom he was having some problem for some time.

well, it was not the madness of the same kind, but it was a madness. There were no outer hands involved in it and it was a result of some clash between the two persons involved- the killer and the victim.

Still it raises questions about the Arms act in USA.

The International Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

First OLympics

I happened to watch the miniseries "The First Olympics- Athens 1896" on the History Channel today and believe me, it's a really nice nice experience.

I watched it over two days and those hours were full of all emotions and everything- the Games behind the Games, the Pride of one's nation, a fascinated youth and the journey of a dream that moved me...

Although it's basically an educational documentry, it's never like a lecture or a book of History of an Event that is in my opinion, one of the most beautiful things to happen- Revival of the Olympic Games. In fact, what is more important than the actual history and stats is the ambiance of the Event...

The first Olympics were held as a proclaimation of World Peace and soon they became a Tradition which is alive today and will continue to be so for the times to came. It was truelly like a ray of hope- a new beginning just when the World was ready to enter the last century of the millenium. back then people didn't know that so much was lying ahead of the mankind- two World Wars, disastrous weapons, Nuclear Bombs, coldwar and Terrorism...

This mood is very well captured in the film. All the characters and the actors playing them are so impressive and influencial.

Although it's focusing on the American Athelets (that was to happen as it's made in USA), it also gives justice to other countries.

One particular scene that touched my heart was the one when, Flack (first Olympic Medal winner for Australia) wins the race by a small margin, and after riding the podium and taking his award, streches his hand out to congratulate and pulls the American athelete up and both stand together and the spectattors give a standing ovation for this gesture of Sportsmanship. The Spirit of the Games is nothing else...

As Indians are longing for an Olympic success, I think this film needs to be watched byeveryone who's nurturing such Dreams......

Shootout in Virginia Tech

After around a decade after the Columbine tragedy, The US is shattered but yet another attack on a US university- this time it is more deadly perhaps, most violent in the History of US.

Here is what the AP Breaking News said:

Blacksburg, Va.: A gunman opened fire in a Virginia Tech dorm and then, two hours later, in a classroom across campus on Monday, killing at least 30 people in the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history, government officials told The Associated Press. The gunman was killed, bringing the death toll to 31."Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," said Virginia Tech president Charles Steger. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified."It was not immediately clear whether the gunman was shot by police or took his own life. His name was not released, and investigators offered no motive for the attack. It was not known if the gunman was a student.The shootings spread panic and confusion on campus, with students complaining that the university did not warn them about the first burst of gunfire until more than two hours later.

By this time it is revaled that the Gunman was a student from South korea.

This again raises several question. The ethenic clashes as well as the policy to allow for easy acces to arms. US needs to think of their arms acts.

but I doubt if it has got to do with ethnicity alone- coz, those who are victims include Indians as well.

I'll just pray that, We'll come to know why this all happen.

Things going on in Uganda..

I just saw on TV that there are some internal tensions going on in Uganda. There are protests and riots going on and it's suspected that Indians living there are the main target.

Well it's not yet confirmed who are the rioters and what they are protesting against, but many of the victims are Indians who are living there for generations.

It's too early to conclude anything but we have to keep a watch from things happening in Uganda.

A small Vaccume in a bigger one…

Tired and emptied... That's exactly what I'm feeling right now. my exams finished today and well these were my final year exams. So now, It feels like I have nothing to do- or may be I'm feeling sop coz i've so much to do... I don't know what I'm, where I'm from and Where I'm going.. It's just an empty feeling and a feeling that I'm standing soemwhere mid-air in a vaccum.

An Attack on the Freedom of Expression

Star News condemns attack on office

Tuesday, 17 April , 2007, 09:33, UNI

Star News channel today condemned the attack on its office by anti-social elements today.
Speaking on the ransacking of their office at Mahalaxmi, a release by the channel here said, ''We condemn this attack on our office by certain anti-social elements. They completely ransacked the Star News office in Mumbai this evening, injuring our security and other staff and causing huge financial damage. It is alarming that people are using such means to register their protests. We believe that this is in reaction to our coverage about a young couple who eloped from Surat.''

''As a responsible news channel, we have factually reported the situation surrounding the same. We will co-operate fully with the authorities to ensure that necessary action is taken."

This incidence is highly condemnable. In al my spirits I regret that such things happens in a Democracy of the Day.

I agree that media could be wrong sometimes but there are other ways to cope with it, Violence of this kind is aimed only at distruction and nothing else. The Riot-ers are in search of fame and do anything for it. It's such a shame!

Ferrari on the Podium again..A different feat for Hamilton

“To have finished on the podium three times out of three is fantastic. We have definitely closed the gap to Ferrari and I know everybody will continue to push hard to improve even more in time for the Spanish Grand Prix. “
"I was able to keep up with Felipe in the first stint but I really struggled with the
balance of the car in the second. I had a lot of under steer and wasn’t able to brake as late as I would have liked. However, after the second pit stop when I changed to hard tyres I was able to push again. I really enjoyed the race and with a few more laps I might have been able to challenge Felipe for the lead.”

- Lewis Hamilton, Mclaren-Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton is having a Dream start to his Formula One career.

In the Bahrain GP, Hamilton came second. And with this he achieved another feat after becoming first blak Driver to compete on the circuit. The debutant of this season is playing from from Mclaren-Mercedes. And with his results in Behrain, he has become the first ever driver in F1 history to have three straight podium finishes in his first three Grand Prix.

And not just that, Hamilton now enjoys the joint lead in the drivers’ championship standings with his team mate fernando alonso and Ferari's Kimi Raikkonen, all three drivers are tied on 22 points. This has surely become an exciting season for F1. The battle will get more exciting in coming days.

Where Others Stand in Behrain?

Ferari's Felipe Massa, made full use of his Pole Position and finished first in Behrain. His team man Kimi Raikkonen finished third behind Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso- The man in news for two seasons, and team mate of Hamilton, finished in a surprising- fifth place. BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld overtook the Spaniard Alonso mid-race, and continued with his lead to finish fourth.