Isro to grow crops in space on PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission 24 experiments include 10 from pvt sector Of the 24 payloads, 14 will be from various ISRO labs and 10 from private universities and start-ups. In one of the experiments, ISRO will grow eight cowpea seeds from seed germination and plant sustenance until the two-leaf stage in a closed-box environment with thermal controls. Amity University, Mumbai, plans to study the growth of spinach in space PSLV-C60 kannur l monday l December 23, 2024 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION spadex, the fourth POEM Mission, is expected to be launched later this month ‘Atrocities in the name of Dharma due to ignorance’ India, Kuwait now strategic partners E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i ce @ Mumbai RA J E SH K UMAR T HA K UR days after expressing concern over the resurgence of templemosque disputes threatening to disrupt communal harmony, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that all acts of persecution and atrocities committed in the name of Dharma (religion) were due to lack of true comprehension of Dharma. Speaking at an event in Maharashtra’s Amravati, he said improper and incomplete understanding of Dharma leads to Adharma. “Dharma has always existed, governing the workings of the world, which is why it is called ‘Sanatan’ (eternal). The practice of Dharma itself ensures its protection. The various reformative sects in our Dharma played a crucial role and these sects are real wealth of Dharma,” he said. He said no religion teaches to divide people, but rather they impart the wisdom of uniting people. “Unity is eternal. The whole universe is one. Practising non-violence protects the Dharma. If we really and properly understand the Dharma, then there will be tranquillity, equality unity and prosperity , ,” he said. He said while even illiterates can easily understand Dharma, it’s often the educated lot, who are bloated with self-pride of their knowledge, who fail to comprehend it. Key defence pact signed; Modi holds extensive talks with the Emir, invites him to visit India @ New Delhi INDIA and Kuwait on Sunday decided to elevate their bilateral relationship to a ‘strategic partnership’, under which both countries will explore ways to enhance cooperation in several sectors including education, information technology pharma, ceuticals, fintech, infrastructure, and security . Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in the Gulf nation on Saturday for a twoday visit, held extensive talks with Kuwait’s top leaders, including Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and signed a number of pacts. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence will provide for cooperation in the areas of defence industries, supply of defence equipment, training, exchange of experts Prime Minister Narendra Modi being conferred with ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ by Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al Sabah, in Kuwait on Sunday | PTI and joint exercises, and collaboration in research and development. The other MoUs cover sports, culture, and solar energy according to the Ministry of , External Affairs (MEA). Modi’s meeting with the Emir was at the iconic Bayan Palace. During the interaction, Modi invited the Emir to visit India. Modi also expressed his gratitude to the Emir for ensuring the wellbeing of over one million Indians in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti leader, in turn, acknowledged the vital contributions of the Indian community to Kuwait’s development. The PM said the talks covered ways to deepen economic and cultural linkages between India and Kuwait, adding: “We are optimistic about the IndiaKuwait Strategic Partnership scaling new heights of success in the times to come.” Modi also held wide-ranging talks with Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. In their delegation-level talks, the two prime ministers d i s c u s s e d a ro a d m ap t o strengthen the partnership in diverse areas including trade, investment, energy defence, se, curity, health, education, technology and people-to-people ties, the MEA said. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Kuwait in 43 years after Indira Gandhi visited the country in 1981. EXPRESS READ Landslide rehab list: Victims allege lapses Celebration mode: On The ‘Manjappada’ celebrates by turning the flashlights on their phones on as Alexandre Coeff of the Kerala Blasters scores the third goal against Mohammedan SC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. Blasters won 3-0 | A Sanesh Kalpetta: Victims of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in Wayanad have alleged gross official negligence in preparing the beneficiary list for rehabilitation. They expressed frustration over repeated errors in the list and demanded its immediate cancellation. The victims also criticised the government and officials for failing to address their grievances or visit the affected areas for proper investigation | P4 IFFK helps spur organ donation-pledge drive T’Puram: The organ donationpledge campaign of the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization gained momentum during the recentlyconcluded International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram. The stall at the main venue received over 500 pledges. Many celebrities and bloggers pledged their organs after death and spread the message through their social media handles | P5 The PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) will carry 24 experimental payloads to demonstrate various technologies in space CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI ■ ■ SOURCE: ISRO MVD to introduce 2-year probation, -ve marks for new drivers Krishna Kumar K E & M a n i s h a V C S @Kochi Starting next year, it won’t be all smooth sailing for those receiving their driver’s licence. The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) is set to introduce — maybe as early as next April — a ‘two-year’ probation period for fresh licence holders as it looks to cut down on road accidents. During the period, the drivers will receive negative points if they get caught for driving-related offences. If they get caught multiple times, they will have to start the entire process all over. The points-based system is being introduced on the basis of a recent in-house study, which said 70% of road accidents in Kerala take place during the first three years of a person getting their licence. The move is inspired by a similar practice in the UK, where the accident rate is much lower, with a road mortality rate of below three deaths per 1,00,000 inhabitants. “The probation system is part of a series of sweeping changes that will be introduced in the next few months to reduce accidents. New licence holders will be assessed through a pointsbased system,” Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam IPS told TNIE. For instance, said the IPS officer, a fresh licence holder will be awarded two negative points (-2) if they are caught for a traffic offence, say jumping the signal or failing to put on a seat belt. “Their licence will be revoked when they accumulate six negative points (-6). They will have to go through the whole process again, starting with learner’s licence,” he said. This would be in addition to the drivers being fined for the offences. The negative points awarded may be higher depending on the gravity of the offence. In the case of lear ner’s licence, new licencees will have to label their vehicles ‘P-1’ (probation first year) and ‘P-2’ (probation - second year) during the first and second year of the probation period. “This is to warn other drivers that the driver is in probation period, and hence, they should be careful,” Nagaraju said. The licencees will get six points upon completing a year without any accidents or committing any traffic offence, he said, adding, “Once they accumulate 12 points, they will receive their driving licence. We will introduce the change in the next three months.”  ● More on P4