Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi visited Central Tool Room & Training Centre (CTTC) and Pharmaceutical Cluster,Bhubaneswar, Odisha

CTTC Bhubaneswar stands out as the leading Technology Centre among others under the Ministry of MSME

Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, the Union Minister for MSME, visited the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar, an autonomous body under the Ministry of MSME, considered as the best among all the other Technology Centres under the Ministry, today, followed by the visit to Pharmaceutical Cluster in Mancheswar Industrial Estate in Bhubaneswar, a Common Facility Centre (CFC), established under MSE-CDP Scheme of the Ministry of MSME.

The Hon’ble Minister was accompanied by Dr. Rajneesh (IAS), Additional Secretary &Development Commissioner (MSME), Government of India; Smt. Sudha Keshari (IES), Additional Development Commissioner (MSME), Government of India; Shri D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy (IAS), Director of Industries, Government of Odisha; Shri Milind Dharmrao Ramteke (IAS), Director, Office of Development Commissioner (MSME). Other officers from the Ministry and representatives of CTTC were also present during the visit.

 

During the visit, Shri Manjhi was given a brief presentation on the CTTC, its key initiatives and notable achievements by Shri. L. Rajasekhar, General manager, CTTC. The delegation, led by the Hon’ble Minister, undertook a detailed walkthrough of the CTTC premises, reviewed ongoing initiatives and training programs, and interacted with young trainees. Shri Manjhi expressed his appreciation and was notably impressed by the talent and innovation on display.

The CTTC serves several prestigious clients, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and TATA Motors Ltd., among others.  It has made significant contributions to India’s aerospace missions by manufacturing critical components for Chandrayaan-3 (ISRO) and the LCA-Tejas project (ADA), and is currently involved in producing components for the upcoming Gaganyaan Mission.

Shri Manjhi also visited the Pharmaceutical Cluster (CFC) in Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar, established under MSE-CDP Scheme of the Ministry and supported by the Government of Odisha, to serve the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the Bhubaneswar & Cuttack region. The Utkal Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (UPMA), is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for this project.

The CFC has helped member MSMEs to boost their production quality, enhance export readiness, and reduce their dependency on external testing labs. The CFC offers a range of services including advanced testing, quality assurance, research and regulatory support, and training services to MSME units. Shri Manjhi praised the efforts of UPMA and acknowledged the role of the CFC in strengthening the pharmaceutical manufacturing base in the region.

   

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SK

(Release ID: 2122412) Visitor Counter : 17

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate the celebration of Tin Hau Festival.

Yuen Long
———- Southbound carriageway of Po Yip Street between Hong Yip Street and Yuen Long On Lok Road;
– Yuen Long On Lok Road between Po Yip Street and Wang Chau Road;
– Wang Chau Road;
– Tung Lok Street between Yuen Long On Ning Road and Fook Tak Street;
– Tai Kiu Road;
– Sau Fu Street;
– Kik Yeung Road;
– Yuen Long On Ning Road between Wang Chau Road and Ma Miu Road;
– Ma Miu Road; and
– Wang Tat Road between Shui Pin Wai Interchange and Fung Chi Road, except for franchise buses.- Yau San Street between Kin Lok Street and Hop Yick Road;
– Westbound Kin Lok Street;
– Kin Yip Street;
– Hop Yick Road;
– Kin Tak Street; and
– Tai Tong Road between Shung Ching San Tsuen and Hop Yick Road.- Kau Yuk Road between Tai Tong Road and Fung Nin Road;
– Ma Tin Road between Kau Yuk Road and Ma Tong Road;
– Yuen Long Tai Yuk Road between Kau Yuk Road and Ma Tin Road;
– Yuen Long On Hing Street;
– On Leung Lane;
– On Hong Road;
– On Chun Lane;
– Ma Tong Road and Ma Tin Road between Sai Yu Street and Yuen Long Tak Yuk Road; and
– Tai Shu Ha Road East between Ma Tong Road and Tai Shu Ha Tin Hau Temple.- Kin Yip Street between the entrance/exit of the car park of Fung Ting Court and its junction with Kin Lok Street will be re-routed one way northbound from 8am on April 20 until completion of the procession.- Car park of Town Park Road North outside Yuen Long Stadium;
– Ma Tin Road;
– Wang Fat Path;
– Kin Tak Street;
– Yan Lok Square;
– Hung Min Court;
– On Leung Lane;
– On Hong Road; and
– On Chun Lane.——— San Tak Street;
– Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road between Castle Peak Road –San Hui and Pui To Road;
– Choi Yee Bridge Road;
– Tsing Yin Street;
– San Tsing Street;
– Ho Pong Street (except buses and green minibuses entering Tuen Mun Station Public Transport Interchange);
– Ming Ngai Street;
– Luk Yuen Street;
– Yan Ching Street;
– Tak Ching Circuit; and
– Westbound Pui To Road between Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road and Tin Hau Road.- Hung Cheung Road from its southern junction with San Ping Circuit to its junction with Tin Hau Road;
– San On Street from its southern junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 30 metres north of the same junction;
– Southbound Hung Cheung Road between its northern and southern junctions with San Ping Circuit;
– San Hop Lane; and
– Hing Wong Street from its junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 30 metres north of the same junction.- Northbound Ho Pong Street.- Traffic along southbound Castle Peak Road – San Hui heading for westbound Pui To Road can be diverted via southbound Castle Peak Road – Castle Peak Bay, westbound Tuen Hing Road, southbound Tuen Mun Road, westbound Wong Chu Road and northbound Tsing Wun Road;
– Traffic along southbound Tuen Mun Road heading for Yip Wong Road can be diverted via Tsing Tin Interchange, westbound Tsing Tin Road, southbound Ming Kum Road and southbound Tsing Wun Road;
– Traffic along northbound Tuen Mun Road heading for Yip Wong Road can be diverted via westbound Wong Chu Road, southbound Lung Mun Road, eastbound Lung Mun Road, northbound Lung Chak Road and eastbound Lung Chak Road;
– Traffic along southbound Tuen Mun Road heading for westbound Pui To Road can be diverted via Tsing Tin Interchange, westbound Tsing Tin Road and southbound Tsun Wen Road;
– Traffic along northbound Tuen Mun Road heading for westbound Pui To Road can be diverted via westbound Wong Chu Road and northbound Tsing Wun Road;
– Traffic along southbound Tuen Mun Road heading for San Ping Circuit can be diverted via Tsing Tin Interchange, westbound Tsing Tin Road, southbound Tsun Wen Road, westbound Pui To Road and southbound Hung Cheung Road;
– Traffic along northbound Tuen Mun Road heading for San Ping Circuit can be diverted via westbound Wong Chu Road, northbound Tsing Wun Road, northbound Ming Kum Road, eastbound Shek Pai Tau Road, southbound Tsun Wen Road, westbound Pui To Road and southbound Hung Cheung Road;
– Traffic along westbound Pui To Road can be diverted via southbound Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, eastbound Tuen Hing Road, southbound Tuen Mun Road, westbound Wong Chu Road and northbound Tsing Wun Road; and
– Traffic along northbound Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road can be diverted via eastbound Pui To Road, northbound Tuen Mun Road, Tsing Tin Interchange, westbound Tsing Tin Road and southbound Tsun Wen Road.- Car park on San Wo Lane;
– Northbound Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road opposite to San Hui Playground;
– Tsing Yin Street;
– Car park on Tsing Yin Street;
– San Tsing Street;
– Ho Pong Street;
– Car park on Ho Pong Street;
– Luk Yuen Street;
– Yan Ching Street; and
– Tak Ching Circuit.———— Eastbound Cha Kwo Ling Road between Wing Fook Street and Wai Yip Street will be closed; and
– Vehicles heading for eastbound Cha Kwo Ling Road will be diverted via the unnamed slip road leading from Cha Kwo Ling Road to Wai Yip Street, westbound Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong Ferry Concourse Access Road, eastbound Wai Yip Street and eastbound Cha Kwo Ling Road.——— Seven metered parking spaces (meter no. 28671B, 28672A, 28672B, 28673A, 28673B, 28674A and 28674B) on Tai Au Mun Road outside Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club will be suspended; and
– Four metered parking spaces (meter no. 28249A, 28249B, 28250A and 28250B), four motorcycle parking spaces and a coach parking space on Tai Au Mun Road near Po Toi O Chuen Road will be suspended.- Nin Chun Street will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Man Nin Street from its western junction with Yi Chun Street to its junction with Nin Chun Street will be converted into two-way traffic; and
– Traffic along Man Nin Street heading for Po Tung Road will be diverted via northbound Nin Chun Street and westbound Man Nin Street.- Metered parking spaces on Yi Chun Street (meter no. 28091B, 28093A, 28093B, 28094A, 28094B, 28095A, 28095B, 28096A, 28096B, 28117A, 28117B and 28118B);
– Metered parking spaces on Po Tung Road (meter no. 28025A, 28025B and 28027A); and
– All motorcycle parking spaces opposite to Mona Fong Government Clinic on Man Nin Street, thirteen temporary motorcycle parking spaces will be provided at Man Nin Street near the promenade.

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses the CRPF Day Parade-2025 in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh

Union Home Minister pays tribute to 2,264 CRPF personnel on behalf of the grateful nation, recalling their supreme sacrifice for the security of the country

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Centre has taken several welfare measures for all CAPFs

CRPF personnel have always made the supreme sacrifice to maintain the unity and integrity of the country

The dreaded Naxalites shudder at the sight of CRPF’s Cobra Battalion

Due to CRPF, naxals who dreamt of spreading red terror from Pashupatinath to Tirupati, are today confined to 4 districts

CRPF will play the biggest role in making the country free from Naxalism

CRPF has established more than 400 Forward Operating Bases in Naxalism-affected areas in the last 5 years, due to which Naxal violence has reduced by more than 70% in 10 years

After the abrogation of Article 370, the task of conducting the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir peacefully and without firing a single bullet was accomplished by CRPF and other security forces

CRPF is the largest paramilitary force not only in India but in the world

Posted On: 17 APR 2025 3:41PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Day Parade as the Chief Guest at Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh today. Many dignitaries including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Director General, CRPF were present on the occasion.

In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation recalled the supreme sacrifice made by 2,264 CRPF personnel for the security of the country and paid tribute to them on behalf of the grateful nation. He said that India is moving towards becoming leader in the world in every field by 2047 and the sacrifices of martyred CRPF personnel have significantly contributed in achieving this goal. Shri Shah said that the immortal saga of bravery of CRPF martyrs will be inscribed in golden letters in the golden book of 100 years of independence. He said that the CRPF personnel have always made supreme sacrifice to maintain the unity and integrity of the country. That is why the presence of CRPF personnel at the places of unrest builds the confidence that they will certainly emerge victorious.

Shri Amit Shah said that after the formation of the government for the second term under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2019, it was decided that the foundation day of all the security forces would be celebrated in different parts of the country. Under the decision, this annual parade of CRPF is being organized in Neemuch today. He said that the contribution of the CRPF cannot be seen separately from the country’s security. Union Home Minister stated that whether it is fighting terrorists in Kashmir, maintaining peace in the Northeast, or limiting the activities of ruthless Naxals to only four districts, our CRPF personnel have made a significant contribution in all these areas.

Union Home Minister said that CRPF was formed in 1939 under the name of Crown Representative Police. The work of giving this force its current new form and flag was done by the country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He said that Sardar Patel not only established CRPF and gave it the flag but also did the work of clearly identifying its charter. CRPF has completed a long glorious journey on the path shown by Sardar Patel. He said that today about 3 lakh CRPF jawans are deployed for the peace and security of the country in 248 battalions, 4 zonal headquarters, 21 sector headquarters, 2 operational sector headquarters, 17 ranges and 39 administrative ranges. Shri Shah said that CRPF has the pride of being the largest paramilitary force not only in India but in the world.

Shri Amit Shah said that in the 76-year history of independence, there have been numerous occasions when CRPF protected the country’s honour and pride. He said that on 21 October 1959, CRPF soldiers were martyred while fighting the Chinese army in Hot Spring, Ladakh and that is why all the police forces of the country celebrate 21 October every year as Police Smriti Diwas. He said that in 2018, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has proudly immortalised the martyrdom of Hot Spring by building the National Police Memorial in memory of the martyred policemen and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) across the country.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in 1965, CRPF soldiers were posted at Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch who gave a befitting reply to the Pakistan Army and that is why every year on 9^th April, the whole country celebrates Shaurya Diwas. He said that in 2001, the Parliament House, a symbol of our democracy, was attacked by terrorists which was foiled by CRPF. Similarly, in 2005, there was a terrorist attack on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and CRPF foiled the attack and kept the temple safe. Shri Shah said that the Naxalites who dreamt of spreading red terror from Pashupatinath to Tirupati are today confined to 4 districts, the biggest contribution in this is of CRPF. He said that the biggest role and contribution of CRPF will be in making the country free from Naxalism. The dreaded Naxalites tremble on seeing the CRPF’s Cobra Battalion coming. He said that under the leadership of Cobra Battalion, other CRPF soldiers have made a huge contribution towards eliminating Naxalism. Home Minister said that by March 31, 2026, Naxalism will be eliminated from the country forever and this goal has been set on the strength of CRPF.

Shri Amit Shah said that whether it is maintaining peace in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 or ensuring peaceful conduct of every election, CRPF jawans have performed their duty with a true heart everywhere. He said that after the removal of Article 370, assembly elections were held in Kashmir and at that time people had many kinds of apprehensions, but our CRPF and other security forces ensured security and neither was there any news of a single booth being looted nor of firing of even a single bullet. Shri Shah said that this is a very big achievement. He said that CRPF has established more than 400 forward operating bases in Naxal-affected areas in the last 5 years and due to this, Naxal violence has reduced by more than 70 percent in 10 years.

Union Home Minister said that CRPF personnel have worked to establish peace under the United Nations peacekeeping missions in many places including Sri Lanka, Haiti, Kosovo and Liberia. He said that till date CRPF has received a total of 2708 different medals which is the highest among all CAPFs. He said that whether it is Amarnath Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, security of Ramjanmabhoomi, security of Krishna Janmabhoomi or the occasion of Maha Kumbh, CRPF personnel have contributed their full efforts in maintaining law and order with promptness everywhere.

Shri Amit Shah said that CRPF has implemented many campaigns like Swachh Bharat, Har Ghar Tiranga, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Swachhata Hi Seva, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam very well and has also proved that CRPF is always on alert mode to work for the country and society. He said that a target of planting 5 crore saplings in the last 5 years was set by all CAPFs. The Home Minister said that under this campaign, he himself planted the first sapling at the CRPF Group Center in Gurugram, the one-croreth sapling was planted at the CRPF Nanded campus, the four-croreth sapling was planted at the CRPF camp in Uttar Pradesh, and today, by planting over 6 crore saplings, all CAPFs have worked to raise awareness about the environment.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India has taken several steps for the welfare of all CAPFs. He said that air courier service was started in 7 remote areas of the country and recently the Government of India has also announced the Eighth Pay Commission for continuous improvement in salaries and allowances. He said that more than 42 lakh Ayushman CAPF cards have been given under which thousands of hospitals are available today for CAPF personnel and their families. He said that under the housing scheme, the housing satisfaction ratio has increased by about 9.5 per cent, an effort has been made to provide vacant houses to 6.5 lakh CAPF personnel by launching the CAPF e-Housing web portal and more than one lakh houses have also been allotted. He said that now women are also being recruited in the forces and 124 barracks have been approved for them, out of which 109 have been built and the Home Ministry has decided to build 450 more barracks. Shri Shah said that under the Pradhan Mantri Scholarship Scheme, educational facilities have been provided to the children of CAPF personnel, the Central Ex-gratia has been made scientific, the disability ex-gratia has been increased by 50 per cent and the Central Police Welfare Stores have also been made more people-oriented through 119 Master Stores and 1794 Sub-Stores.

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RK/VV/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2122404) Visitor Counter : 59

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of India

India’s Journey of Heritage Preservation

World Heritage Day 2025

Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi

~ Prime Minster Narendra Modi

Introduction

Our heritage is not just built of stones, scripts or ruins. It lives in every whisper of a temple wall, every carving on ancient forts and every folk song passed down through generations. It tells stories of who we were, what we stood for and how we endured. World Heritage Day is a heartfelt reminder that these timeless treasures are not only to be admired, but protected. This year’s theme: “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 years of ICOMOS Actions” reminds us that preserving our past is key to protecting our future.

The Story Behind World Heritage Day

World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on 18th April. It is also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites. The day is meant to honor and protect human heritage. It also appreciates the people and groups who work to preserve it. The day was started in 1982 by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). Later, in 1983, UNESCO officially adopted it. Every year, ICOMOS gives a special theme for the day. Based on this theme, people and groups hold events and activities around the world to celebrate and protect heritage.

Understanding the World Heritage Convention

UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, works to protect and preserve important cultural and natural heritage around the world. To help with this, UNESCO’s member countries adopted the World Heritage Convention in 1972. This agreement explains what countries need to do to find and take care of special sites that can be added to the World Heritage List. India became part of this Convention in November 1977. Today, the World Heritage List includes 1,223 sites that are considered valuable to all of humanity. These include 952 cultural sites, 231 natural sites, and 40 sites that have both cultural and natural importance. As of October 2024, 196 countries have joined the World Heritage Convention.

World Heritage Sites: Protecting Future

World Heritage Sites are special places on Earth that have great value for all of humanity. These can be cultural, natural, or a mix of both. They are protected under an international agreement led by UNESCO. UNESCO gives the World Heritage title to places that are culturally, historically or scientifically important.

Over the years, India has steadily expanded its presence on the World Heritage List. In July 2024, a proud addition was made with the inscription of “Moidams: The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” from Assam as a cultural property. With this, India now has 43 sites on the World Heritage List and 62 more on UNESCO’s Tentative List. The country’s journey began in 1983 with the listing of Agra Fort, followed by the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. These sites are preserved not only as symbols of history but also as learning spaces for generations to come.

Government’s Initiatives to Promote India’s Rich Cultural Heritage

India has taken several meaningful steps to protect, restore, and promote its vast cultural and natural heritage. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s timeless traditions and historical treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

World Heritage Day reminds us that protecting our heritage is a shared responsibility. From ancient monuments to timeless literature, India continues to preserve its cultural and natural legacy through strong national efforts and global collaboration. These efforts ensure that our rich heritage inspires, educates, and unites generations to come.

References

Click here to see PDF.

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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Kamna Lakaria

(Release ID: 2122423) Visitor Counter : 74

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:30PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is making continuous efforts to bring significant improvement in dissemination of its statistical products in sync with international best practices and timelines. MOSPI releases consumer price indices within 12 days after the end of the reference month, which is among the best globally. Similarly, survey reports of NSS are now released within 90 days of completion of fieldwork. The Calendar of release of National Accounts Statistics has been rationalized by obviating the need for the 3^rd Revised Estimates of GDP. On the same lines, MOSPI now plans to release the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) within 28 days instead of 42 days.

“From April 2025 onwards, All India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) will be released on 28th of every month at 4:00 PM within 28 days from the reference month. For a particular month IIP will be released as Quick Estimates followed by a Final Estimate.”

 The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a crucial short-term indicator of industrial growth in the country. The compilation and release of IIP in India commenced with base year 1937, which was successively revised to 1946, 1951, 1956, 1960, 1970, 1980-81, 1993-94, 2004-05 and 2011-12. MoSPI presently releases the monthly all India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) on the 12^th of every month (previous working day if 12th is a holiday) within 42 days from the reference month.

Currently, the Quick Estimates of a month undergo revision in subsequent releases as per the revision policy of IIP. Along with the Quick Estimates of IIP for the specific month, the indices of the previous month undergo the first revision and those for the third previous month undergo the second or final revision in the light of the updated data received from the source agencies.

The United Nations’ International Recommendations for Index of Industrial production (IRIIP)-2010 provide that the monthly IIP be released within forty-five days after the end of the reference month. Similarly, the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) of the IMF requires that the index for any reference month should be released within six weeks from the end of that month. In accordance with these international standards in data dissemination, MOSPI has been releasing IIP indices within 42 days after the end of the reference month.

In recent times, considering the advancement in data collection and processing technologies, there is a growing demand from stakeholders for reducing the timeline of release of IIP. Recognizing this need, MoSPI constituted a committee, in June, 2024, to examine the feasibility of reducing the timeline of release of IIP, its revision schedule, while maintaining the response rates and without compromising the quality. The committee included representatives from all the data source agencies, including the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Indian Bureau of Mines, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and others. The Committee reviewed the entire system of data collection and processing of IIP data to arrive at its recommendations.

After due consultations with the source agencies and in keeping with stakeholders’ aspirations, it has been decided to reduce the timeline of release of IIP from 42 days to 28 days from reference month and also to do-away with second revision of IIP. Accordingly, MoSPI will henceforth release the monthly “All India Index of Industrial Production (IIP)”on 28^th of every month at 4:00 PM (next working day if 28^th is a holiday). The Quick estimate for a specific month will undergo revision only once, in the next month as the final estimate, as per the revised revision policy. Thus, MOSPI will now release only two estimates (Quick estimate and Final estimate) of a particular month instead of the earlier practice of releasing three estimates (Quick estimates followed by a 1^st Revised estimate and a 2^nd Revised (final) estimate).

In view of the above, it is informed that MoSPI will release the next IIP estimates on 28 April 2025, at 4:00 PM on the website of Press Information Bureau and Ministry’s official website (https://www.mospi.gov.in). This release will include – Quick estimates for March 2025, and the Final estimates for December 2024, January 2025 and February 2025.

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Samrat

(Release ID: 2122427) Visitor Counter : 45

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:36PM by PIB Delhi

Tracing an intermedia black hole (IMBH) located in a faint galaxy about 4.3 million light-years away using India’s largest optical telescope, astronomers have found that gas clouds orbit the black hole at a distance of 125 light-minutes (around 2.25 billion kilometre) with a velocity dispersion of 545 km per second.

The discovery refines our understanding about how black holes, specially those that weight between 100 and 100,000 Suns, grow and interact with their surroundings.

For decades, astronomers have searched for a missing link in the cosmic black hole family: the elusive Intermediate-Mass Black Holes (IMBHs). Bridging the gap between smaller stellar black holes (having a few dozen times the Sun’s mass) and massive supermassive black holes (having millions to billions of solar masses), IMBHs have remained elusive.

IMBHs, are thought to be the seeds that grow into supermassive black holes. However, their faint nature and location in small galaxies make them extremely difficult to observe. Unlike their larger counterparts, they don’t generate bright emissions unless they’re actively pulling in matter, making advanced observational techniques essential.

Using the 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT) a team led by scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have successfully detected and measured the properties of an IMBH in a faint galaxy called NGC 4395.

The team of astrophysicists, led by Shivangi Pandey studied NGC 4395—a low-luminosity active galaxy hosting one of the faintest actively feeding black holes ever observed.

They used the largest optical telescope in India, the 3.6m DOT, and its indigenously developed spectrograph and camera ADFOSC, along with the smaller 1.3m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope (DFOT) located at the Devasthal Observatory of ARIES.

Since the size of the region surrounding the black hole is very difficult to resolve even with a sophisticated telescope, the team monitored the object continuously for two nights using both the telescopes and applied a special technique called spectrophotometric reverberation mapping.

This technique measures the delay between light emitted by the black hole’s accretion disk and the surrounding gas clouds (broad-line region). This delay, or time lag, revealed the region’s size and helped calculate the black hole’s mass.

Figure 1: Illustration of Reverberation mapping technique. The central region of an active galaxy sends out light in all directions. Some light reaches us directly, while some bounces off nearby gas clouds before reaching us, creating a slight delay. This delay helps us map the region around the centre. Credits: https://jhoormann.github.io/blog/blog-1/

Apart from racing the gas clouds, they also found that theIMBH weighs about 22,000 times the Sun’s mass, making it one of the most precisely measured intermediate-mass black holes. The black hole consumes matter at just 6% of its maximum theoretical rate.

Figure 2: A V-band image of NGC 4395 taken on March 10, 2022, using the 1.3m DFOT, shows the active galactic nucleus (AGN) marked with a red circle, with three comparison stars highlighted in white. The field of view measures 18′ × 18′ arcmin.

The study published in the Astrophysical Journal validates the size-luminosity relationship for black holes in low-luminosity active galaxies, provides a more accurate black hole mass estimate than previous studies and offers a more precise benchmark for future research.

Dr Suvendu Rakshit, a scientist at ARIES involved in this study, notes: “The hunt for more IMBHs is far from over. Larger telescopes and advanced instruments will be key to uncovering these cosmic middleweights.”

As technology advances, future observations with larger telescopes and higher-resolution instruments will deepen our understanding of IMBHs and their role in shaping the universe.

Figure 3: The size of the Hα BLR, compared to the monochromatic continuum luminosity at 5100 Å, aligns with the relationship across previous studies. The current lag of 125 minutes contrasts with earlier estimates, underscoring the precision of this study.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2122433) Visitor Counter : 63

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:38PM by PIB Delhi

The Experimental High Energy Physics (HEP) group of Bose Institute (BI), currently consisting of Faculty members- Prof. Supriya Das, Dr. Sidharth Kumar Prasad and Dr. Saikat Biswas, Post Doctoral Fellow- Dr. Sanchari Thakur and Senior Research Fellow- Mr. Mintu Haldar, has been awarded the Breakthrough Prize 2025 in Fundamental Physics as a part of ALICE at CERN.

The $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for 2025 is awarded to thousands of researchers from more than 70 countries representing four experimental collaborations at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) – ATLAS, CMS, ALICE and LHCb.

Fig 1: 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

Bose Institute, Kolkata is the only Autonomous Institute under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, working in A Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE) at CERN along with many other collaborators in India. ALICE studies the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), a state of extremely hot and dense matter that existed in the first microseconds after the Big Bang.

The institute joined ALICE Collaboration under the leadership of Prof. Sibaji Raha, former Director of Bose Institute as Principal Investigator.

Prof. Kaustuv Sanyal, Director, Bose Institute conveyed his warm congratulations to the team members of Experimental High Energy Physics group and said, “This is a great achievement not only for the Bose Institute team but also for the entire community of Indian high energy physicists working in mega science projects such as ALICE at CERN. Such awards will encourage young minds to join this kind of complex and large experimental programs for exploration of new physics.”

The HEP Group of Bose Institute has made significant contributions in several areas of the ALICE experimental program such as detector hardware development, simulation, physics analysis, data-taking and operations of the experiment.

Fig 2: Bose Institute Faculties at CERN

An indigenously built proportional counter based highly granular Photon Multiplicity Detector (PMD) was deployed in the ALICE experiment for detection of inclusive photons at forward rapidity. The PMD was commissioned in ALICE in the year 2008 and participated in the data taking program till 2018. Bose Institute played a leading role in the operations of PMD at CERN since 2014 till its decommissioning. Post data collection, the efforts of data clean up, calibration and quality assurance of the entire PMD data set to optimize it for physics analysis was also led by the faculty from Bose Institute in collaboration with students from various Indian institutes/universities participating in ALICE.

A new type of Time Projection Chamber (TPC) is being used after the upgrade of the ALICE so as to cater to the high luminosity environment expected at the LHC facility. This device relies on the intrinsic ion back flow (IBF) suppression of Micro-Pattern Gas Detectors (MPGD) based technology in particular the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM).

The new read-out chambers in TPC consist of stacks of 4 GEM foils combining different hole pitches. In addition to the low ion back flow, other advantages of GEM technology are good energy resolution and long-term stability in operation. Researchers from Bose Institute were involved in ALICE-TPC upgradation project.

Faculties and trainees from Bose Institute have made significant contributions to the Physics program of the ALICE by leading about six publications in addition to contributing to several other ALICE papers. Bose Institute members have contributed to several areas of Physics studies.

Fig 3: Faculty members and students of Bose Institute working in ALICE experiments

Congratulating all the collaborators, the ALICE Spokesperson Prof. Marco Van Leeuwen wrote “I would like to congratulate the entire collaboration and the LHC community for this well-deserved recognition of the scientific advancements achieved through our collective efforts. All authors of publications based on Run 2 data up to 15 July 2024 will be listed as laureates.”

Prof. Sanjay Kumar Ghosh, Dr. Rathijit Biswas, Dr. Abhi Modak, Dr. Debjani Banerjee, Dr. Prottoy Das and Dr. Md. Asif Bhatt were also part of this group.

The Break Through prize money is allocated to ATLAS ($1 million); CMS ($1 million), ALICE ($500,000) and LHCb ($500,000), in recognition of 13,508 co-authors of publications based on LHC Run-2 data released between 2015 and July 15, 2024. [ATLAS – 5,345 researchers; CMS – 4,550; ALICE – 1,869; LHCb – 1,744].

The prize money will be used to fund a Breakthrough prize studentship to allow selected PhD students to spend up to two years at CERN while working on their PhD research.

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NKR/PSM

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