Latest news with #DipankarBhattacharya
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
India's Astronomy Olympiad training camp concludes at IISER Mohali
The Astronomy Olympiad Orientation Cum Selection Camp (OCSC) is being held at IISER Mohali. The camp aims to provide training to bright students selected through national-level exams and also test their understanding of concepts and techniques in Astronomy and Astrophysics. A total of 54 students were selected for Astronomy OCSC from among the nearly 500 students who took the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad and ranked among the top in their respective groups. Group A consisted of students in Class 12, group B consisted of students in class 10 or 11. The selection is based on rank and subject preferences for students. Of these, 37 students from different parts of India are participating in the OCSC, a team of five students will represent the country in at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2025 (IOAA), which is to be held in Mumbai, India in August 2025. The OCSC consists of lectures, tutorials, telescope setup and handling sessions and sky observation sessions. Normally the Astronomy OCSC is organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, a centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (HBCSE-TIFR). However, this year, as HBCSE is hosting the IOAA, the task of selecting and training the Indian team was given to IISER Mohali. A team of astronomers from Central University, Haryana, Mahendargarh, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, IIT Kanpur, Ashoka University, Sonepat, Central University, Himachal Shahpur, and IISER Mohali worked together to do the groundwork and conduct the OCSC. Sessions in the training program were anchored by resource persons from these institutes as well as scientists from Raman Research Institute Bangalore, Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bangalore, National Institute for Science Education and Research Bhubaneswar and the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, etc. Some members from the core group will accompany the students as team leaders and scientific observers to the IOAA. The selection of the final team was announced during the valedictory function held at IISER Mohali on June 11, 2025. There was a special lecture by Professor Dipankar Bhattacharya from Ashoka University. He spoke about imaging in different wavebands in Astronomy. This was followed by distribution of certificates and medals from the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, announcement of best performers in the OCSC and also the final team that will represent India in IOAA-2025. The medals were distributed by Professor Kulinder Pal SIngh from IISER Mohali and certificates were given by Professor Dipankar Bhattacharya. The selected team is: Aarush Mishra, Sumant Gupta, Banibrata Majee, Panini, and, Akshat Srivastava. Aarush Misra also got the C L Bhat memorial award for best performance in OCSC. This awarded is given by the Indian Physics Association and was instituted by Arnold Wolfendale. Sumant Gupta got the best performance in observational test award. Akshat Srivastava bagged the two awards for best performance in theory, and, data analysis. The team leaders and scientific observers who will accompany the team were also introduced to students :Professor Jasjeet Singh Bagla and Dr Harvinder Kaur Jassal are the team leaders given their long association with the astronomy olympiad activity. Drs. Kinjalk Lochan, Pankaj Kushwaha, Jaswant Yadav, Central University Haryana; and Mamta Gulati Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala are the scientific observers who will accompany the team for IOAA-2025.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Seat-sharing: Allies may bargain hard with RJD
Patna: Amid mounting pressure from its allies, the RJD, headed by Lalu Prasad, has planned to leave a maximum of 103 seats for its three allies—the Congress, Left and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), sources said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the Congress and the Left have been trusted allies of the RJD, the VIP became a part of the opposition INDIA bloc just ahead of last year's Lok Sabha polls. A top source in the RJD said on Wednesday that under no circumstances would the party contest less than 140 seats in the upcoming assembly polls since "our target is to form the next govt." He said the RJD could spare a maximum of 50-55 seats for the Congress, 30-35 seats for the entire Left (comprising CPI-ML, CPI, and CPI-M), and 12-20 seats for the VIP. The Bihar assembly has a total of 243 seats. "Moreover, we will give seats to our allies considering the winnability of the candidates," the source said, adding, "Their mission will be to win the seats." "As far as RJD is concerned, we have to win 100 plus seats at any cost," the source said, wishing not to be identified. The revelation came amid the allies putting pressure for more seats. Of them, the VIP and the CPI-ML have expressed their demands through various forums. While the VIP staked a claim for 60 seats, the CPI-ML wanted at least 40-50 seats. In the last 2020 assembly polls, the CPI-ML put up an impressive performance, winning 12 out of 19 seat it was offered under the seat-sharing deal. The VIP was not a part of the opposition alliance, although as part of the NDA, it won four seats out of 11 it was given under the deal. At a party meeting held in Sitamarhi, the VIP chief again raked up the demand for 60 seats. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Similarly, CPI-ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya demanded 40-50 seats to contest this time. "We are preparing to contest 40-50 seats this time, although the issue will be discussed at the INDIA bloc meeting," Bhattacharya told the reporters on Tuesday. On the other hand, the Congress has intensified its activities in the state and is strategically working to win as many seats as possible. The RJD said the allies have every right to make a demand for seats in a democracy. "They have every right to demand more seats. The seat-sharing is no issue for us. It will be settled in a cordial manner," state RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said.
India.com
10-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
CPI-ML Planning To Contest 40 To 45 Seats In The Bihar Assembly Polls
PATNA: In the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for October–November 2025, the Communist Party of India–Marxist–Leninist (CPI-ML) has made a stronger push within the Mahagathbandhan by staking claim to 40–45 seats. CPI-ML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya announced plans to contest 40–45 seats, more than double the 19 seats contested in 2020, of which they won 12, in a significant strike rate. "We are preparing to contest on 40 to 45 seats in the Bihar assembly election 2025," Bhattacharya said while interacting with media persons here on Tuesday. The CPI-ML plans to make its case strongly in the Grand Alliance Coordination Committee meeting on June 12 in Patna. Its assertive seat demand increases pressure on the Rashtriya Janata Dal, which traditionally commands a lion's share in the alliance. This move may disrupt internal seat-sharing equations, forcing the RJD and the Congress to accommodate the CPI-ML's growing strength. The CPI-ML is also preparing to hold campaign yatras titled "Badlo Sarkar, Badlo Bihar" from June 12 to 27 across four key regions, such as Shahabad, Magadh, Champaran and Tirhut of the state, he said.. The party is aiming for mass mobilisation efforts through rallies and meetings in Barachatti, Warsaliganj, Rajgir, and Bihar Sharif from June 11 to 14. The CPI-ML's assertiveness suggests it sees itself as more than a fringe ally, and it wants negotiating power and visibility. The success or failure of seat-sharing negotiations in the Grand Alliance could impact opposition unity against the NDA. It was mishandled in 2020 when the VIP was left, and its leader Mukesh Sahani went into the NDA camp, and this deeply hurt the Mahagathbandhan and Tejashwi Yadav. On the NDA side, smaller parties like the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha are also asserting pressure on the BJP for a bigger role in seat-sharing. Both alliances are now witnessing pressure politics from smaller constituents aiming to expand their influence.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CPI(ML) sets sights on 40-50 seats, plans statewide campaign
Patna: CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said on Tuesday that the party is preparing to contest 40-45 assembly seats in the upcoming Bihar elections scheduled for Oct-Nov. Addressing mediapersons, Bhattacharya said discussions within the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) regarding the alliance's agenda and seat-sharing arrangements would begin soon. He was accompanied by party leaders Dhirendra Jha, legislators Gopal Ravidas, Sandeep Saurabh and Shashi Yadav, as well as senior leaders K D Yadav and Umesh Singh. Bhattacharya said the party would launch 'yatras' (campaign marches) in four zones of the state, along with a series of Jan Samvad (people's dialogue) events, to address the prevailing situation under the BJP-led NDA govt in Bihar, headed by CM Nitish Kumar, as well as the national political climate under PM Narendra Modi's third term. "The BJP-NDA govt has failed on all fronts. Popular anger against both the state and central govts is rising," he said. The yatras will take place from June 18 to June 27 in old Shahabad, Magadh, Saran-Champaran and the Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga regions. The Jan Samvad meetings are scheduled for Barachatti (Gaya) on June 11, Warsaliganj (Nawada) on June 12, Rajgir (Nalanda) on June 13 and Biharsharif on June 14. Bhattacharya alleged that the law and order situation in Bihar has "virtually collapsed" with a surge in criminal activity and lawlessness. "Feudal atrocities have returned to the state. Rape of women has become commonplace. People want freedom from the oppressive system," he said. The theme of the party's campaign is 'Badlo Sarkar, Badlo Bihar' (Change the govt, change Bihar).
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribal rights being violated across country, say leaders
1 2 3 Ranchi: Tribal leaders and public representatives from various parts of the country on Sunday voiced their protest against violations of tribal rights in their areas and expressed the need for a joint agitation on the issues. CPI-ML national general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya inaugurated the two-day convention, which is being held under the banner of Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha (ASM). Speaking on the occasion, Tripati Gamango from Odisha said the govt in his state is allocating land plots, which is under possession of tribals, to corporate groups and land mafias. Pratima Engheep from Assam said that after Advantage Assam 2.0, tribal land in hills and the forest, are being given to the corporate houses. CPI-ML MLA from Sikta in Bihar, Vijyendra Gupta, said the Union govt led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to uproot and divide the tribal people. ASM's national in-charge Clifton claimed, "The opinions expressed in the convention show that same trend; loot of resources, attack on tribal culture and suppression of their voices- is prevailing everywhere." Bhattacharya claimed that elimination of the Maoists by the state forces in Chhattisgarh amounts to genocide as the govt is carrying out the operations despite peace initiative by left-wing extremists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 "The state govt should produce around 20 -25 Maoist it has arrested before the court," he said. He claimed that believing in any ideology is not a crime as per the Supreme Court directive and killing them until they indulge in any illegal activity is a gross violation of the Apex Court's order. He claimed that state govt is also trying to override the gram sabhas in the state to serve the interest of the corporate groups. He stated, "The convention aims to determine the country-wide agitation for tribal rights. CPI ML would convert all agitations conducted by the tribal societies into a joint agitation." Leaders from around a dozen states including Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Chhatisgarh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam attended the meeting.
