Representative purposes.
| Photo Credit: DRDO

A set of parachutes developed for the first uncrewed mission of India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme was shipped from Agra on Monday (May 5, 2025). The parachutes were developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), an Agra-based laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

“Indigenously developed parachutes for the safe return of the capsule that will carry astronauts under the proposed Gaganyaan Programme are set to undergo [testing in an] unmanned mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),” ADRDE stated. According to the statement, the parachute configuration consists of 10 parachutes designed for sequential deployment.

Under the Gaganyaan programme, ISRO aims to send a crew of two or three astronauts into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Explaining the recovery sequence during flight, the ADRDE statement detailed that it begins with the deployment of two Apex Cover Separation parachutes (which protect the main parachute compartment). This is followed by two Drogue parachutes to stabilise the module and reduce its velocity. Subsequently, upon release of the drogue chutes, three Pilot parachutes are deployed to extract the three Main parachutes individually. The Main parachutes are designed to reduce the crew module’s speed to safe levels for landing.

The flight unit parachutes were formally flagged off by Dr. Manoj Kumar, Director of ADRDE. They have been dispatched to the ISRO Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment (ISITE) in Bengaluru.

These parachutes are intended for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, designated G-1. The ADRDE team will proceed to assemble the parachutes with the crew module at ISITE in preparation for this mission, which is planned for later this year.

India on Monday (May 5, 2025) conveyed its concerns in the “strongest terms” to the Canadian High Commission after a rally in Toronto depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top Ministers of the Government of India in an objectionable manner. This was the first such communication from the Indian side since the new Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected a week ago.

“We have conveyed our concerns in the strongest terms to the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi regarding the parade held in Toronto where unacceptable imagery and threatening language were used against our leadership, and Indian citizens residing in Canada. We once again call on the Canadian authorities to act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agenda,” said an official source after India expressed displeasure to Canada.

Mr. Carney’s victory was welcomed by the Government of India with Mr. Modi sending a congratulatory message to Ottawa saying: “Congratulations @MarkJCarney on your election as the Prime Minister of Canada and to the Liberal Party on their victory. India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people.”

On Sunday, a large pro-Khalistan rally was taken out in Toronto that used terms like “Kill India” and depicted several leading figures including PM Modi in a derogatory manner. The rally also raised slogans on religious lines and sought expulsion of Canadians of Indian origin.

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India’s relations with Canada had turned cold since September 2023 when former PM Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of assassinating Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan preacher in Surrey, British Columbia. Subsequently, India on multiple occasions expressed displeasure with the Canadian authorities over growing pro-Khalistan activities in Canada. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had described the Trudeau government of playing “vote bank” politics.

On October 14, 2024, India withdrew its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma from Ottawa as bilateral ties took a nosedive.

Tirupati: The annual Padmavathi Srinivasa Parinayotsavam, a significant spiritual event in the Vaishnavite tradition, will commence on Tuesday and continue for three days at the Narayanagiri Gardens in Tirumala. Organised by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the festival celebrates the divine wedding of Lord Malayappa Swamy with Goddess Padmavathi.

The TTD Garden Department has tastefully decorated the Parinayotsava Mandapam, where the festivities will take place amid a serene and devotional ambiance. The event draws thousands of devotees each year, who gather to witness the symbolic reenactment of the celestial union.

Each day of the Parinayotsavam features a distinct procession. On the first day, Lord Malayappa Swamy will be brought to the mandapam seated on the Gaja Vahanam. On the second day, he will ride the Ashwa Vahanam and on the concluding day, he will arrive on the Garuda Vahanam. The Ubhaya Nachiyars, representing the divine consorts, will be carried in specially decorated palanquins, and the ceremonial wedding will be performed with traditional rituals and Vedic chanting.

The festival has deep mythological roots. As per ancient scriptures, Lord Venkateswara descended to Earth during the early Kaliyuga and married Princess Padmavathi, daughter of King Akasaraja, in the divine Narayanavana. The Venkatachala Mahatmyam describes this wedding happening on Vaisakha Shuddha Dashami under the Poorva Phalguni star, which is commemorated annually through the Parinayotsavam.

Since 1992, TTD has been organising this event in the Narayanagiri Gardens to symbolise the historic Narayanavana, preserving the sanctity and heritage of this divine marriage. Devotees from across the country will participate in the celebrations and seek the divine blessings of Sri Padmavathi and Sri Srinivasa. In view of the Parinayotsavam, TTD has announced the cancellation of certain arjita sevas, including Arjita Brahmotsavam and Sahasra Deepalankara Seva, from May 6 to 8.