Tag: science and technology India

Human Interest

Dr. Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan Wins Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

The prestigious Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award 2025 has been conferred upon Dr. Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan, Associate Professor of Materials Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Dr. Gopalakrishnan, who leads a pioneering research group in computational materials science, was chosen for his outstanding contributions to advancing material discovery through computational methods and his commitment to mentoring young scientists.

This marks the third edition of the Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award, a unique initiative by the Government of Goa to encourage young scientific talent across India. The award aims to inspire innovation and scientific excellence that benefit humanity on a large scale. For the 2025 edition, a total of 50 applications were received from leading research institutions across the country. After an extensive evaluation process, 10 candidates were shortlisted for personal interviews. The final selection was made following rigorous scrutiny by an Expert Committee chaired by eminent scientist Dr. Anil Kakodkar.

Carrying a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a citation, the Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award currently stands as the highest-value science and technology award in India. It celebrates not only individual achievement but also the spirit of scientific inquiry and national progress envisioned by the late Manohar Parrikar.

The award will be formally presented during the Manohar Parrikar Vigyan Mahotsav, to be held at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa in December 2025.

TechPulse

ISRO Announces New Space Station in Gujarat – India’s Second-Largest After Sriharikota

allycaralgoa

In a landmark step toward expanding India’s space exploration infrastructure, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially announced plans to build the country’s second-largest space station in Gujarat.

This major development positions Gujarat as a new hub for India’s ever-growing aerospace and satellite launch capabilities. Currently, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh serves as India’s premier and largest spaceport, home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and the site of numerous historic launches, including Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions.

🧭 Why Gujarat?

The proposed site in Gujarat is strategically chosen for its geographical and logistical advantages, including vast land availability, proximity to major infrastructure, and the state’s growing support for science and technology sectors.

ISRO officials stated that the new station will include satellite integration facilities, launchpad infrastructure, command control centres, and support for future human spaceflight missions under programs like Gaganyaan 2.0.

🔭 Expanding India’s Space Frontier

This announcement comes at a time when India’s space ambitions are scaling rapidly. With increasing global collaborations, deep-space missions, and satellite launches across sectors like defence, agriculture, and telecommunications, the need for multiple high-capacity spaceports is greater than ever.

The Gujarat station will:

  • Reduce the burden on Sriharikota
  • Enable higher launch frequency
  • Support larger payloads
  • Create opportunities for public-private partnerships in space technology

🧑‍🚀 Looking Ahead

With India eyeing lunar bases, solar missions, and possibly interplanetary probes, the Gujarat space station will play a crucial role in ensuring both mission success and international competitiveness in space exploration.

Construction timelines, detailed design plans, and investment details are expected to be unveiled in upcoming briefings by ISRO and the Government of India.