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Jharkhand govt provided ID proofs to infiltrators, interests of tribals encroached: BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo

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Jharkhand govt provided ID proofs to infiltrators, interests of tribals encroached: BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo

Ahead of the second phase of Jharkhand Assembly polls, BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo alleged that the Jharkhand Government’s special branch provided documents and ID proofs to infiltrators and the interests of tribals at Santhal Pargana have been encroached.

Pratul Shah Deo said, “In this election, Santhal Pargana is very important. The manner in which the State Government’s special branch provided documents and ID proofs to infiltrators, they themselves admitted in a letter from June 2023 that infiltrators are provided accommodation in Madrasas and their ID documents are made. So, the encroachment into the interests of tribals here is the biggest issue.”

He further claimed that the INDIA bloc would snatch the rights of tribals if they come to power.

“Now, the Congress’ Jharkhand in charge, Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that they would provide cylinders to infiltrators at Rs 450…This is treason. It clearly shows that they would snatch away the rights of Jharkhandis and tribals, and give the same to infiltrators,” he further said.

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a public meeting in the Dumka Assembly Constituency, where he lashed out at the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress for allegedly misleading the tribal community and protecting infiltrators.

Speaking on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Shah assured the tribal population that they would not be affected by its implementation. He said, “JMM and Congress are spreading rumours in Jharkhand that if UCC comes, tribals will face problems. Tribal brothers and sisters, don’t worry, you will not be included in UCC. You will not face any problem due to UCC.

Shah accused the JMM and Congress of protecting infiltrators, which he claimed has led to a decline in tribal land and population. He said, “Once you form the BJP government in Jharkhand, we will work to throw out every single infiltrator from here.”

Voting for the first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections concluded on November 13, with voting taking place in 43 out of the state’s 81 seats.

Elections on the remaining 38 seats will be conducted on November 20. The counting will be held on November 23.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

‘Father’s head burnt with acid, mother lost sanity and attempted suicide’: Family of 2002 Godhra carnage victim narrates ordeal

OpIndia Staff
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‘Father’s head burnt with acid, mother lost sanity and attempted suicide’: Family of 2002 Godhra carnage victim narrates ordeal

22 years after a frenzied Muslim mob set fire to the Sabarmati Express in Godhra and killed 59 Hindu pilgrims, a newly released documentary by Swarajya highlighted the tragedy that befell the fate of the families of the victims.

Ashok Prajapathi, whose father was one of the 59 Hindus killed by a Muslim mob in February 2002, narrated, “When my father was climbing the stairs, they not only poured petrol but also used acid.”

He informed, “The entire flesh of his head melted away due to acid. I didn’t have courage to see my father’s body. But on cremation ground, when I inspected my father’s body, I collected the remains of my father’s brain.”

“Look at my mother. Otherwise, there are no problems. Due to my father’s death, she lost her sanity. She wanted to commit suicide. These thoughts occur at times,” Prajapati narrated the emotional toll of the 2022 Godhramassacre

He added, “As you’ve asked, how do I feel? Not everyone understands… Parents are parents while children remain the same.

“We don’t leave her alone, but she feels loneliness because her life partner is no more. She lost her mental balance,” Ashok Prajapati lamented.

A total of 31 Muslims were found guilty of setting the Sabarmati Express on fire, which claimed the lives of 59 Hindus (mostly women and children). 11 of them were handed the death penalty by a special fast-track court on March 1, 2011.

Their names include Abdul Razzak Kurkur, Ismail Suleja, Jabbir Binyamin Behra, Ramzani Binyamin Behra, Mehboob Hassan, Siraj Bala, Irfan Kalandar, Irfan Patadia, Hassan Lalu, Mehboob Chanda, & Salim Zarda.

Their death penalty was later commuted to a life sentence in October 2017. Among the convicted, the other 20 were awarded life sentences.

They included Suleman Ahmad Hussain, Abdul Rehman Abdul Majid Dhantiya, Kasim Abdul Sattar, Irfan Siraj Pado Ghanchi, Anwar Mohmmad Mehda, Siddik, Mehboob Yakub Mitha, Soheb Yusuf Ahmed Kalandar, Saukat, Siddik Mohmmad Mora, Abdul Sattar Ibrahim Gaddi Asla, Abdul Rauf Abdul Majid Isa, Yunus Abdulhaq Samol, Ibrahim Abdul Razak Abdul Sattar Samol, Saukat Yusuf Ismail Mohan, Bilal Abdullah Ismail Badam Ghanchi, Farook, Ayub Abdul Gani Ismail Pataliya, Saukat Abdulah Maulvi Isamail Badam, Md Hanif.

As evident from the names, the extremists who burnt the train and charred 59 Hindu pilgrims to death belonged to the Muslim community despite attempts by leftist propaganda outlets to absolve them of any wrongdoing.

Groom about to miss his own wedding due to train delay, railway authorities make swift arrangements after a tweet so that the baraat can catch the connecting train

OpIndia Staff
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Groom about to miss his own wedding due to train delay, railway authorities make swift arrangements after a tweet so that the baraat can catch the connecting train

A groom was about to miss his own wedding because the train the groom’s party was travelling on was running late. But after the Railway authorities were informed, swift arrangements were made so that the groom and his 34-member baraat could reach his wedding on time. For this, the railways halted a connecting train, sped up the train running late, and made arrangements at Howrah junction for quick transfer to the connecting train.

The groom in this case is Chandrashekhar Wagh of Mumbai, who was travelling with his family and relatives to Guwahati for his wedding. On 15 November, they boarded the Gitanjali Express that runs daily between Mumbai’s CST station and Howrah Junction in West Bengal. The scheduled time of arrival of the train at Howrah is 1:05 PM, and they had planned to board the Saraighat Express from Howrah to Guwahati which starts at 4:05 PM, with a buffer of 3 hours.

However, on Friday Gitanjali Express was running late by 3.5 hours, more than the buffer time. Train tracking website NTES shows that when the train reached Kharagpur, it was late by 3:31 hours, which increased to 3:51 hours by the time the train reached Santragachi Junction. The marriage party included some senior citizens, and it became clear that they wouldn’t be able to make alternate arrangements to travel to Guwahati if they missed the connecting train. Worried that he will miss his own wedding, Chandrashekhar Wagh posted a tweet tagging railway authorities including minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, explaining the situation and seeking help.

To the delight of the groom’s party, the Eastern Railway authorities swung into action after receiving the tweet. The Saraighat Express was halted at Howrah Junction for some time till the time Gitanjali Express arrives. The loco pilot of the Gitanjali Express was informed to speed up the train.

Arrangements were made in the route so that the train can move without unscheduled stoppages.  Not only that, the authorities at the station also made arrangements to transfer the groom’s party and their luggage from Platform 21 to Platform 9, where Saraighat Express was stationed.

As a result, the train arrived at Howrah junction at 4:08 PM, just minutes after the scheduled departure of Saraighat. As soon as the train arrived, railway staff moved the passengers and their baggage to Saraighat Express within minutes. As per NTES data, the train left Howrah at 4:19 PM, with a delay of only 14 minutes, and reached Guwahati today morning.

After boarding the train to Guwahati, Chandrashekhar Wagh tweeted yesterday evening, “With respect to above tweets I would like to inform that we all were able to catch the Sarighat express, I would like to express my deepest gratitude towards all the involved parties.”

In another tweet, he thanked the Railway minister and the authorities for making all the necessary arrangements so that he along with my 35 relatives could catch the connecting train.

Official X account of Eastern Railway tweeted about the incident, saying, “IR arranged to detain Saraighat Express at Howrah for a few minutes so that a marriage party with Dulha coming by Geetanjali Express and going to Guwahati can catch the train, 12345 Up from HWH. The marriage party has expressed their thanks to Railways for this helping gesture.”

Eastern Railway also posted a video of Chandrashekhar Wagh, narrating the entire development, and thanking the Railway authorities for making the arrangements so that he does not miss his wedding. He said, “This was not just a service but an act of immense kindness. Without this intervention, my family and I would have missed an irreplaceable moment in our lives. I am deeply grateful to the Indian Railways.”

Talking about the development, Kaushik Mitra, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Eastern Railway, said, “We are always ready to serve our passengers. Today’s effort reflects our commitment to going above and beyond for them. Our best wishes to the groom.”

Uttarakhand: Mazar inside The Doon school demolished after protests from Hindu advocacy groups

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarakhand: Mazar inside The Doon school demolished after protests from Hindu advocacy groups

A ‘mazar’ within the premises of The Doon School in Dehradun was demolished following protests from right-wing Hindu groups. The prestigious school, known for its notable alumni such as former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and author Amitav Ghosh, had housed the shrine on its grounds.

Videos of the demolition, conducted by a group of men with pickaxes and hammers, have circulated widely on social media. The incident took place a few days ago, and the Dehradun District Magistrate clarified that no official orders were given for the demolition.

Swami Darshan Bharti, a leader of a Hindu group, welcomed the act and questioned the existence of a ‘mazar’ within the premises of such a prominent institution.

The Uttarakhand Waqf Board claimed ownership of the land where the shrine once stood, though its current legal status is uncertain. The board continues to own a substantial portion of land adjoining the school.

India may replace South-East Asian nations as leading solar PV exporter to US: Report

ANI
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India may replace South-East Asian nations as leading solar PV exporter to US: Report

India stands to play a pivotal role in supporting the US renewable energy sector with its large-scale manufacturing capabilities, competitive production costs, and a strong STEM talent pool, highlighted a report by ValueQuest Investment.

The report noted that as the United States navigates the complexities of energy policy under the Trump administration, the outlook for renewable energy remains robust.

It said “India’s large scale manufacturing base, STEM talent, competitive cost of production (vs South-east Asia & Mexico), with reliability of supply can make it a preferred partner of choice.”

The report also indicated that India could potentially replace Southeast Asian countries as the leading solar PV exporter to the US, especially as the US seeks to reduce its dependence on Chinese supply chains.

“India has the potential to replace South-east Asian countries as the leading solar PV exporter to the US” the report added.

The report stated that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in US has created a solid foundation for accelerating investments in renewables, particularly solar energy, which has surged to 178 GW by 2023 from just 15 GW in 2013.

This growth trajectory is driven by technological advancements, decreasing costs, and a growing public commitment to decarbonization.

The report also stated that it would not be easy for the Trump administration to make chnges in the renewable IRA, it said “Repealing or making significant changes to the IRA would be challenging for any administration. Since the IRA is an enacted law, not a federal agency regulation or executive order, any substantial changes will require congressional approval”.

Moreover, the current geopolitical climate, characterized by an anti-China sentiment, presents significant opportunities for India.

As the US aims to diversify its trade partnerships, India’s existing trade relationships across various industries, including software and pharmaceuticals, can facilitate a smoother transition into renewable energy collaboration.

Several Indian companies are already establishing manufacturing capacities in the US, mitigating risks and positioning themselves to benefit from tax credits associated with renewable energy production.

The outlook for renewables in the US is promising, and India’s strategic advantages can significantly contribute to the sector’s growth. By fostering a strong partnership, both nations can advance their energy ambitions while addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Karnataka: Jabir Ali’s personal property claimed by Waqf, the Board gets reprimanded by High Court

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Jabir Ali’s personal property claimed by Waqf, the Board gets reprimanded by High Court

The Karnataka High Court has stopped an attempt to grab yet another property by the state’s Waqf Board. The Karnataka High Court has ordered the Waqf Board to take the subject matter to the Waqf Tribunal. The Waqf Board reportedly wants to convert a property declared private by Waqf Board itself in 1976 back to Waqf.

Justice MGS Kamal of the Karnataka High Court has given this decision while hearing a petition filed by Jabir Ali. The High Court has said that the Waqf Board cannot change the decision given by the previous administrator by just forming a committee, and the matter will have to go to the tribunal. The court has said that the previous administrator and the current tribunal are equal institutions.

What is the matter

This case is related to a property located in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. The property on which the Waqf wants to take possession belonged to a person named Shah Mohammad Raza Ali, and now his son Jabir Ali has filed a petition in this matter. This property was declared a Waqf property in 1965 by the then Mysore Waqf Board. This order was given by the then administrator of the Waqf.

A cemetery was also included in the properties to be declared Waqf. Even after being declared Waqf, these properties remained in the possession of Raza Ali and the Board had also sent him a notice in 1975 regarding this. After an investigation was conducted in this matter, in 1976, the State Waqf Board declared all these properties as personal properties of Raza Ali.

The orders to remove these properties from the list of Waqf Board were also given in 1977 itself. After this, till 2020, no one had any issue about this matter. However, in 2020, the Karnataka Waqf Board sent them a notice. It issued a notice in November 2020 and declared Raza Ali’s son Jabir Ali as an encroacher.

The Waqf Board alleged that Jabir Ali had got this property through fraud. After this, Jabir Ali went to the court. The court had asked Jabir to respond to the Waqf notice. The Waqf Board then formed a legal committee about this issue. This committee overturned the 1976 order and said that Jabir Ali’s property is now a Waqf property.

After this, Jabir Ali again went to the High Court. He argued that the Waqf Board is now raising the issue which was over in 1976, and that it is not right. Apart from this, he also said that as per the current law, the order of the administrator can be changed by the Waqf Tribunal or any other higher court.

Jabir Ali had termed the attempt to take possession of this property through the Waqf Committee as wrong. The High Court accepted his arguments and cancelled the order to make it a Waqf property again. The High Court has asked the Waqf Board to approach the Waqf Tribunal in this matter.

Thane’s Gurdwara Shri Dashmesh Darbar refutes claims of removing BJP president JP Nadda and other party leaders from the Gurdwara during visit

OpIndia Staff
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Thane’s Gurdwara Shri Dashmesh Darbar refutes claims of removing BJP president JP Nadda and other party leaders from the Gurdwara during visit

On 15th November, Gurdwara Shri Dashmesh Darbar in Thane issued a statement refuting claims made by Congress leaders and certain media outlets that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda and other party leaders were removed from the Gurdwara premises for wearing stoles with the party symbol. The statement was shared by the President of the Gurdwara Committee, Gurmukh Singh Syan.

Source: Gurmukh Singh Syan/Facebook

In the statement, Syan said, “BJP President Hon. Shri JP Nadda ji visited our Gurdwara Shri Dashmesh Darbar in Thane today on the auspicious occasion of the 555th Prakash Parv of Baba Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to pay his respects to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and meet the Sangat. Shri JP Nadda ji offered his respects to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Sangat with great devotion and emotion, and also listened to the kirtan for five minutes.

After the darshan, the Gurdwara committee requested him to stay for five more minutes for a felicitation, as the kirtan, which had started during the darshan, was about to conclude. However, Shri JP Nadda ji humbly said, ‘I am just a regular devotee, I do not expect any felicitation, and please do not stop the kirtan for my sake. I also have to attend the next scheduled programme.’ With great reverence, he bowed respectfully to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the kirtaniyas, folded his hands, and proceeded to leave.

At that moment, a few media persons entered the area and began recording videos with their cameras, standing with their backs to the ongoing kirtan. The media persons were politely requested not to stand with their backs to the kirtan and were asked to maintain decorum. Despite this, some journalists began spreading rumours about the incident.

We wish to clarify to all devotees that Hon. Shri JP Nadda ji paid his respects with full devotion, maintaining the sanctity of the Gurdwara. We strongly refute the incorrect reports being circulated regarding this matter.“

Congress’s Supriya Shrinate shared fake news

The clarification from Syan came after media outlets and some Congress leaders shared fake news that JP Nadda and other party leaders were removed from the Gurdwara premises. In a post on X, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “BJP President Nadda reached Thane in Maharashtra today on the occasion of Guru Purab to campaign for the elections on the pretext of paying obeisance at the Gurdwara. The congregation threw out everyone, including Nadda, who was wearing a towel with the BJP election symbol. Everyone is equal in the Gurdwara; feelings should be respected.” She also shared a trimmed video of the incident to create a narrative that BJP leaders were asked to leave.

Media outlet Hindustan also shared a similar report. According to the report, on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, BJP President JP Nadda visited the Gurdwara in Thane, Maharashtra, accompanied by several party leaders. Their arrival, along with a large entourage, reportedly disrupted the ongoing kirtan (devotional singing), leading to the sevadars (volunteers) expressing their displeasure. Following this, Nadda and his associates were allegedly asked to leave the Gurdwara.

Delhi: Arbaaz and Salman arrested for stabbing Manish to death in Nand Nagri

ANI
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Delhi: Arbaaz and Salman arrested for stabbing Manish to death in Nand Nagri

Delhi Police arrested two brothers, Arbaaz and Salman, in connection with the stabbing to death of 28-year-old Manish in the Nand Nagri area.

Manish was on his way with a friend when he got into a fight with some boys, who later allegedly stabbed him.

According to police officials, the victim and the accused knew each other, and the police are investigating the cause of the dispute. Both the accused and the victim have criminal backgrounds.

“Initial investigations suggest the murder might be related to a previous feud,” said the police. Further details are awaited on the incident.

Meanwhile, a person was injured during a firing incident at a petrol pump in Gokulpuri on Thursday night, Delhi Police said.

“One person was injured during a firing incident at a petrol pump in Gokulpuri. Four people arrived on two bikes and a pillion rider opened fire,” said Delhi Police and added that the injured person is out of danger.”

The injured person has been identified as Ansul Rathi. Delhi police said that a call of 7 to 8 rounds of firing at a petrol pump in Gokulpuri at 10.38 pm was received.

“The injured Ansul Rathi was taken to GTB hospital by PCR who received glass shrapnel injuries only on the abdomen. He has been working as a supervisor for 6 years. Initial inquiry revealed that 4 persons on two bikes came at the petrol pump and one of the pillion riders fired 16 rounds at the office cabin from outside and then one bike fled towards Gokulpuri and the other towards Loni roundabout. The pump owner Harish Chaudhary of Gokulpuri has suspected old village rivalry,” Delhi police said.

The Police said that the victim was out of danger and added that Harish Chowdhary whose petrol pump was targeted has a few cases pending against him. Further probe is going on.

Earlier in the wake of a rise in the incidents of firing and snatching in the national capital, senior officials of Delhi Police went to the ground to review the security measures. Senior police officials, including DCPs, reviewed the police pickets and instructed them to remain alert in all kinds of situations.

Police pickets are additional police officers deployed to specific locations to maintain law and order or for security. Notably, for the past few days, several cases of firing and snatching for extortion have been reported in Delhi.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

USA: President-elect Trump replaces prosecutor who pressed charges in so-called assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

OpIndia Staff
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USA: President-elect Trump replaces prosecutor who pressed charges in so-called assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

On 15th November, United States President-elect Donald Trump announced that the former chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jay Clayton, will serve as District Attorney for the Southern District of New York under his administration.

Clayton will replace federal prosecutor Damian Williams, who filed charges against former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer Vikash Yadav in the so-called assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist and founder of the terror outfit ‘Sikhs for Justice’, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Reportedly, the Government of India has been closely monitoring the development, as the government has denied any association with or involvement in such a plot. The other accused in the case are Indian national Nikhil Gupta and an unnamed intelligence officer. Gupta, who is a businessman, was charged as a co-conspirator in the matter and was arrested in the Czech Republic. Later, he was extradited to the US in June 2024. Gupta has denied any involvement in the so-called assassination plot.

In the charges filed by Williams, Yadav has been described as a “senior field officer” of RAW. Yadav is reportedly in custody in India on charges of extortion and kidnapping. He is currently on the “wanted” list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Yadav, Gupta, and the unnamed official have been accused of trying to hire a professional criminal to kill Pannun, who turned out to be a government agent.

In a statement issued on Truth Social, Trump described Clayton as a “highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant.”

Trump wrote, “I am pleased to announce that Jay Clayton, of New York, the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during my first term, where he did an incredible job, is hereby nominated to be the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Jay is a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant. Jay received Engineering and Law degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Economics degree from the University of Cambridge. Before chairing the SEC, Jay was a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell and served on the Management Committee. He is currently a Senior Policy Advisor to Sullivan & Cromwell, a Board Member of several public and private companies, and an Adjunct Professor at the Wharton Business School and the Carey Law School at the University of Pennsylvania. Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again.”

President-elect announced Jay Clayton will replace Damian Williams as District Attorney for the Southern District of New York (Source: Truth Social)

During Trump’s first tenure as President of the United States, Jay Clayton served as SEC chairman from 2017 to 2021. He has expertise in cases related to Wall Street and financial irregularities. The Southern District of New York covers Manhattan and manages high-profile cases involving investments, stock market trading manipulations, and fraud.

The so-called assassination plot to kill Pannun

In November 2023, the United States accused India of orchestrating a plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The accusations came almost one and a half months after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of assassinating Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

It was claimed that the US provided so-called intelligence to Canada that India was behind Nijjar’s murder. While India has been cooperating in the investigation into the assassination plot of Pannun, Canada is yet to provide any substantial evidence of the involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Nijjar. Since the accusations, relations between India and Canada have soured. In recent months, Canada has moved one step further and accused Home Minister Amit Shah of being involved in criminal activities on Canadian soil, which has further damaged diplomatic relations between the two countries.

ISRO to launch advanced communication satellite GSAT-N2 from the USA using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, to offer in-flight internet connectivity in India

OpIndia Staff
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ISRO to launch advanced communication satellite GSAT-N2 from the USA using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, to offer in-flight internet connectivity in India

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its latest communication satellite from the USA using the Falcon 9 rocket of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The satellite named GSAT-N2, also called GSAT-20, will provide in-flight internet access, finally bringing the service to India.

GSAT-N2 weighs 4700 kg, too heavy to be launched by ISRO’s own rockets, which is why the agency has opted to use the heavy launch vehicle of SpaceX. While the satellite has been made by ISRO, it is a commercial operation under ISRO’s commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL). Apart from Internet services in aeroplanes, the satellite will also provide Internet services to remote areas of the country.

This will be ISRO’s first commercial launch using a SpaceX vehicle.

GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) is a Ka-band high-throughput communication satellite, and it is set to enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity (IFC) across the Indian region, as per ISRO. It has multiple spot beams and wideband Ka x Ka transponders, and it aims to support a large subscriber base with small user terminals, significantly boosting system throughput through its multi-beam architecture which allows frequency reuse.

GSAT-N2, with a lift-off mass of 4700 kg, has a mission life of 14 years. The satellite is equipped with 32 user beams, comprising 8 narrow spot beams over the Northeast region and 24 wide spot beams over the rest of India. These 32 beams will be supported by hub stations located within mainland India. The Ka-Band HTS communication payload provides a throughput of approximately 48 Gbps. The payload consists of three parabolic 2.5-meter deployable reflectors with multiple feeds generating 32 spot beams over the Indian region using a single feed per beam configuration.

“This homegrown satellite when operational will fill that big hole of in-flight Internet connectivity that exists over India on the world Internet map,” said Dr M Sankaran, Director of UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, where the satellite has been built. “This is India’s highest throughput satellite and the only one operating exclusively in the much sought after Ka band,” he added.

At present, in-flight internet is not allowed in India, and as a result, airlines that offer this service have to switch off the service while flying over India. However, the govt recently amended the rule to allow in-flight internet access over India. As per new rules, internet services through Wi-Fi can be offered inside aircraft at an altitude of over 3,000 metres.

The govt has however clarified that flight passengers will be able to use internet services through Wi-Fi only when electronic devices are permitted to be used in the aircraft, even after it attains altitude of 3,000 metres in Indian airspace.

In order to prevent interference with terrestrial mobile networks, the government has required In-flight and Maritime Connectivity service providers to operate mobile communication services in aircraft at a minimum height of 3,000 metres in Indian airspace, as per the Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules, 2018.

In-flight internet won’t be available immediately after the launch of GSAT-N2, because before that the service providers will have to get licences and the airlines offering the service will have to install necessary equipment in the planes.

American satellite communication company Viasat said that it will also use GSAT-N2 for in-flight and maritime connectivity services in India. Notably, Viasat has partnered with BSNL to launch Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity in India.

Earlier this year, Tata’s military-grade satellite was successfully placed into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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