Gaganyaan: Isro's first manned space mission on schedule, says Raghavan

Gaganyaan - The Indian Space Research Organisation will complete its first manned space mission on schedule as the programme was finalised a few years ago, K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor to the government of India, has stressed.

"This mission is not happening out of the blue, nor is it a coincidence. We were giving shape to this mission for a while," Raghavan told PTI-Bhasha in an interview.

One of the most distinguished biologists, Raghavan, 64, was appointed the principal scientific advisor in March.

The post of principal scientific advisor was created by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1999. The PSA is the topmost advisor to the government on scientific policy matters.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Independence Day this year that India will put a man or woman in the space on board 'Gaganyaan' by 2022, Raghavan said, Isro has been moving ahead to complete the mission as per the schedule.

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains taken to BJP headquarters

Atalji Amar Rehen - Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolour, were taken to the BJP headquarters here on Friday for the people to pay their last respects to the departed leader.

The body in a flower-decked casket was carried in a hearse to 6-A Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg headquarters.

Vajpayyee, who passed away at the AIIMS here on Thursday evening at the age of 93, will be cremated at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal near Rajghat in the national capital at 4 p.m.

His last journey will begin from the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 1 p.m. The government has announced a state funeral for Vajpayee.

A seven-day state mourning has been announced as a mark of respect for the former Prime Minister. Delhi government offices, schools and institutions have been closed.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and all the three armed forces chiefs earlier led a host of leaders in paying homage to Vajpayee.

Vajpayee's health continues to remain critical, on life support: AIIMS

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition continues to remain critical, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said in a statement on Thursday. Vajpayee's health worsened on Wednesday and he is on life support system.

"Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Health condition continues to remain the same. He is critical and on life support systems," the statement by the hospital read.
Senior BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid visits to the AIIMS on Thursday to enquire about the health of the former prime minister.
Earlier in the morning, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited AIIMS to enquire about the condition of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been undergoing treatment at the premier institute.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are expected to visit the premier medical institute soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited AIIMS on Wednesday at around 7:15 pm in the evening to enquire about the health condition of Vajpayee. After Modi, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi also paid a visit.