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Month: January 2026

17 Hyderabad Students Build Payload For Upcoming ISRO Launch

17 Hyderabad Students Build Payload For Upcoming ISRO Launch

17 Hyderabad Students Build Payload for Upcoming ISRO Launch

The students of Blue Blocks Montessori School have named their payload Project SBB-1 (Satellite Blue Blocks-1), which has now received official clearance from ISRO for launch aboard the PSLV-C62 mission.


Hyderabad: A team of 17 students aged between 12 and 15 from Hyderabad has achieved a remarkable milestone by designing and building a flight-ready CubeSat payload, scheduled for launch aboard an ISRO mission on January 12 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota.

The students of Blue Blocks Montessori School have named their payload Project SBB-1 (Satellite Blue Blocks-1). The project has received official clearance from ISRO and will fly on the PSLV-C62 mission.

    Setting their work apart from conventional school-level STEM projects, the students independently designed, assembled, and programmed the CubeSat payload. They used commercial off-the-shelf sensors, soldered electronic components, and developed firmware capable of transmitting real-time telemetry. While experts from Take Me 2 Space offered mentorship and technical guidance, the entire engineering effort—from hardware integration to coding—was carried out by the students themselves..

    “Debugging the code when the sensors failed to communicate was the most challenging part. We didn’t want to just witness a launch—we wanted our work to fly on the rocket,” said one of the students.

    The project was developed at the Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute using a learning framework known as ‘Structural Autonomy,’ which promotes independent problem-solving with minimal adult supervision. Emphasising the achievement, co-founder Pavan Goyal said, “They are not engineers of the future; they are flight-ready engineers today.”

    The Blue Blocks initiative has earned international recognition, with the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo inviting co-founder Pavan Goyal to present the programme’s methodology. In addition, the students are set to deliver a technical review at the AMI Conference in Mexico, showcasing their work on a global stage.

    About the PSLV-C62 Mission 

    The PSLV-C62 mission will carry the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite, along with 15 co-passenger satellites from India and international partners. The mission will also feature a technology demonstration of the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), a compact prototype re-entry vehicle developed by a Spanish startup.

    ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is regarded as the organisation’s most reliable launch system, having completed 63 successful missions. Its legacy includes landmark launches such as Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and Astrosat, and it holds a global record for deploying 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017.

    With Swami’s Blessings, New Skill Development Batch Commences on 05 January 2026

    Sri Sathya Sai Skill Development Center, Khairatabad

    Pranaams to the Divine Feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba varu. 🙏

    With Swami’s boundless grace, the Sri Sathya Sai Skill Development Center continues its mission of empowering unemployed youth through value-based, industry-relevant education.

    After the successful completion of two batches of the Data Engineer course, where 220 unemployed youth were trained and 70 candidates secured placements in reputed organizations, we had planned to launch yet another Data Engineer batch. However, as always, Swami had other divine plans.

    Recently, IBM Senior Management approached us with a special request—to design a focused training program for unemployed MBA Finance and Commerce graduates. Their requirement was clear: equip youth with strong foundations in

    • Financial Mathematics
    • Economics
    • Data Literacy (Excel)
    • Communication Skills
    • Positive Attitude and Professional Mindset

    In response, our team has thoughtfully designed an intensive 3-week training program tailored specifically to meet IBM’s expectations and industry standards.

    📅 Program Details

    • Course Start Date: 05 January (Monday)
    • Time: 10:00 AM
    • Venue: Sri Sathya Sai Skill Development Center, Khairatabad
    • Batch Strength: 25 unemployed youth

    From this batch, 10–15 eligible and well-performing candidates are expected to be considered for opportunities aligned with IBM’s requirements.

    We extend our heartfelt wishes to all the students embarking on this new journey of learning and transformation. May this program open doors to meaningful employment and a brighter future.

    May Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba bless these students with knowledge, confidence, and success, and guide us always in our efforts to serve more youth.

    Jai Sairam 🙏

    Sai Anandham – Marri Savitradevi 101st Birth Anniversary | 4 Jan 2026

    Hyderabad, January 4, 2026:

    The 101st birth anniversary of Smt. Marri Savitradevi, wife of former united Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy, was celebrated with great devotion and grandeur under the banner of “Sai Anandham” at the Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy Memorial Rock Garden, Indira Park, Hyderabad.

    As part of the celebrations, floral tributes were offered to the statue of Savitradevi followed by a cake-cutting ceremony. Her life, values, and commitment to social welfare were fondly remembered, and heartfelt tributes were paid. The event was organized by the CSR Memorial Foundation.

    The program was coordinated by Sri K. Krishna Reddy, grandson of Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy and Smt. Savitradevi, and a Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba alumnus (MBA 1992–94 batch).

    Sai Anandham – A Celebration of Devotion and Service

    The “Sai Anandham” program stood as the highlight of the celebrations, bringing together devotees from various Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithis across Hyderabad, including Tarnaka, Kushaiguda, and Nagaram.

    A variety of recreational and cultural activities such as Lemon Spoon, Book on Head, Musical Chairs, Carroms, Chess, and Dadi were organized. Senior citizens enthusiastically participated and expressed immense joy. Winners were felicitated with prizes.

    Sai devotees shared their spiritual experiences and long association with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. A photo exhibition depicting Sathya Sai service activities was arranged, and Annadanam was provided to devotees.

    The event was graced by distinguished guests including P. V. Subrahmanyam, Meenakshi Devi, I.G. Dora, and Vasudeva Rao.

    The Sai Anandham program concluded successfully in an atmosphere filled with devotion, service, and spiritual joy, reflecting the timeless message of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba:
    “Love All – Serve All; Help Ever – Hurt Never.”

    Jai Sai Ram 🙏

    21-Year-Old IIT Hyderabad Student Gets ₹2.5 Crore Job Offer, Highest Ever for the Institute 2-Jan-2026

    Defying a challenging hiring environment, a 21-year-old Computer Science and Engineering student from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has secured a staggering ₹2.5 crore annual job offer from a Netherlands-based firm during this year’s campus placements.

    According to IIT Hyderabad officials, this is the highest package ever offered to a student since the institute was established in 2008.

    The student, Edward Nathan Varghese, converted a two-month summer internship into a pre-placement offer (PPO). Notably, he emerged as the sole PPO recipient among the two interns shortlisted by the company.

    ‘First and only interview’

    Speaking to The Times of India (TOI), Varghese described the moment he received the offer as unforgettable.
    “This was the first and only company I interviewed for. I was ecstatic when my mentor indicated that the firm would be extending me an offer. So were my parents,” he said.

    Born and raised in Hyderabad, Varghese completed his schooling in Bengaluru from Class 7 to Class 12. Despite the broader slowdown in the job market, he said he remained confident about securing a top offer, crediting consistent preparation and focus on core technical skills.

    His achievement has drawn widespread attention and is being seen as a testament to IIT Hyderabad’s growing reputation in producing globally competitive talent.

    NMDC–The Hindu FIC Chess Tournament to Be Held in Hyderabad on January 3

    The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), in association with The Hindu, will organise the FIC Chess Tournament in Hyderabad on Saturday, January 3. The one-day tournament will take place at the State Art Gallery, Madhapur.

    The competition will feature multiple age categories — Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 — for both boys and girls. Matches will be conducted on a Swiss League format and played under the latest FIDE Rapid Rules.

    Players born on or after January 1, 2011, are eligible to participate. The tournament is being organised under the aegis of the Telangana Chess Association.

    Registration Details

    • Registration is free of cost
    • Online registration only (no spot registrations)
    • Participants must carry a photocopy of their Aadhaar card, which is mandatory and must be produced on demand
    • Registered players are required to report at the venue by 9.30 a.m.

    Prizes

    The top three finishers in each category will receive prizes, certificates, and a shield.
    The prize distribution ceremony will be held at the NMDC Office, Masab Tank, on January 26, 2026. Winners will be informed separately about the ceremony timings.

    For further information, participants may contact the organisers at 9989912645.

    GHMC to Be Split Into Three Civic Bodies: Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri 31 December 2025

    The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), currently India’s largest civic body, is set to be trifurcated into three separate municipal corporations — Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri — as part of a major administrative reorganisation planned by the Telangana government.

    According to government sources, an official announcement is likely after the current GHMC Council’s term ends on February 10, 2026. More details are expected to emerge during the Telangana Assembly session scheduled for January 2026.

    Why the GHMC Is Being Reorganised

    Over the years, GHMC’s jurisdiction has expanded significantly. The civic body now covers 2,053 square kilometres, following the merger of 27 urban local bodies located within or around the Outer Ring Road (ORR). This expansion transformed GHMC into a massive administrative unit, raising concerns over efficiency and governance.

    Currently, GHMC is divided into:

    • 12 zones
    • 60 circles
    • 300 wards

    Before the expansion, the erstwhile GHMC covered just 650 sq. km, with 30 circles and 150 wards.

    Proposed Ward Distribution

    The state government is reportedly considering two possible models for dividing the wards among the three new municipal corporations:

    1. Hyderabad: 150 wards
      Cyberabad: 75 wards
      Malkajgiri: 75 wards

    OR

    1. Equal distribution:
      • Hyderabad: 100 wards
      • Cyberabad: 100 wards
      • Malkajgiri: 100 wards

    A final decision is expected closer to the announcement date.

    Impact on Urban Governance

    The proposed trifurcation aims to:

    • Improve administrative efficiency
    • Ensure better civic service delivery
    • Enable focused urban planning for different regions

    If implemented, GHMC will lose its status as the country’s largest municipal corporation, marking a significant shift in Hyderabad’s urban governance structure.

    Young minds explore gene clon­ing at CCMB

    Young minds explore gene clon­ing at CCMB

    For a group of Hyderabad schoolchildren, the New Year began not with fireworks, but with microscopes and lab benches. Students from Classes 8, 9, and 10, representing both government and private schools, conducted gene cloning experiments at the CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for the first time as part of the Young Innovators Programme (YIP).

    The five-day programme offered participants a rare opportunity to experience life as scientists. “Five of us from our school took the entrance exam. On the first day, we observed fruit flies and zebrafish. Later, we worked on bacterial cultures and polymerase chain reaction,” said Yash Ashwatha P, a Class 10 student from Telangana Model School, Suryapet.

    Selected as the only government school student in this year’s cohort, Yash added that while he aspires to become a civil engineer, the programme has also encouraged him to seriously consider science-related courses in the future.

    For many participants, the experience proved transformative. “We truly felt like scientists during these days. From observing bacterial growth to performing gene cloning, we gained microscopic insights into DNA and how these nearly invisible strands replicate,” said Nishka Joshi.

    J. Nathan, a Class 9 student from St Andrews School, said the programme broadened his understanding of how artificial intelligence can support experiments in chemistry and biology. “I already use AI tools such as Gama AI,” he added.

    Another participant, Bal Soham Banerjee, noted that the practical sessions covered topics typically taught in Classes 11 and 12, going far beyond the limited textbook exposure available at school.

    Speaking about the initiative, Dr Somdatta Karak, Senior Scientist and Head of Science Communication at CSIR-CCMB, said the 13th edition of the Young Innovators Programme (YIP) included 25 to 30 students. “This year, our focus was on hands-on training in molecular biology, including gene cloning. Due to laboratory capacity, participation is limited, but we hope to explore ways to include more students next year if adequate funding becomes available,” she said.