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PM Modi condoles veteran nuclear scientist R Chidambaram’s death

Under his leadership, India conducted its second series of nuclear tests in 1998, solidifying the country’s strategic nuclear capabilities.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sadness on Saturday over the passing of esteemed nuclear scientist Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram. Modi noted that Dr. Chidambaram was a pivotal architect of India’s nuclear program and made significant contributions to enhancing the country’s scientific and strategic capabilities.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister stated, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram. He played a crucial role in India’s nuclear program and was instrumental in advancing our scientific and strategic strengths. The nation will remember him with gratitude, and his legacy will inspire future generations.”

Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, a prominent nuclear scientist and former principal scientific advisor to the Government of India, passed away at 3:20 AM on Saturday at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai due to age-related complications. He was 88 years old.

Chidambaram was a key figure in India’s nuclear journey, participating in both the first nuclear test, Pokhran I (Operation Smiling Buddha) on May 18, 1974, and the second, Pokhran II (Operation Shakti) in 1998. His outstanding contributions were recognized when he received the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

Born in Chennai in 1936, Chidambaram graduated from Presidency College before obtaining a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. He joined the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1962, where he eventually became director in 1990. In 1993, he was appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, a role he held until 2000.

Under his leadership, India conducted its second series of nuclear tests in 1998, solidifying the country’s strategic nuclear capabilities. He also played a vital role in the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, which marked a significant step in reintegrating India into the global nuclear community.

In 2002, Chidambaram succeeded APJ Abdul Kalam as the second principal scientific advisor to the country, serving until 2018. During this time, he advocated for various scientific advancements, including the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG), which aimed to empower rural communities, as well as initiatives like the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) focused on enhancing cybersecurity and the National Knowledge Network (NKN) designed for connecting academic and research institutions across India.

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India described Chidambaram as a “true scientific pioneer,” highlighting how his contributions to nuclear science and strategic technologies are integral to India’s progress in science and technology.

The office added, “Dr. Chidambaram’s crucial involvement in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998 established India’s scientific and strategic capabilities on the global stage. His work in condensed matter physics, nuclear energy, and strategic policymaking created a lasting legacy.”

Ajit Kumar Mohanty, secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, praised him as “a doyen of science and technology whose contributions significantly enhanced India’s nuclear capabilities and strategic self-reliance.” He characterized Chidambaram’s passing as “an irreparable loss for the scientific community and the nation.”

Cricket news

West Indies or England? Jofra Archer’s reply goes viral after IPL 2025 performance

After a Player of the Match spell in IPL 2025, Jofra Archer gave a cheeky “no comment” when asked whether he sees himself as English or West Indian.

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Jofra Archer delivered a commanding performance for Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2025 clash against Punjab Kings, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs, which helped his team secure a convincing 50-run win. Archer was named Player of the Match for his clinical spell that dismantled Punjab’s middle order.

However, the post-match presentation took an awkward turn when former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik brought up Archer’s dual ties to Barbados and England, referencing a lighthearted exchange in the commentary box regarding his international allegiance. Archer, born in the West Indies but representing England in international cricket, responded diplomatically and refrained from engaging in the identity discussion.

The England pacer, who hails from Barbados, was put in a tight spot by presenter Murali Kartik, who relayed a cheeky conversation with Ian Bishop from the commentary box.

Murali Kartik: “Ian Bishop said, for everyone he (Archer) is a West Indian. I said, no, he’s been snapped up by England.”

Jofra Archer (smiling): “No comment.”

Kartik: “I expected that from you.”

The moment, though brief, quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking renewed conversations about dual nationality and representation in modern cricket. While some fans continue to associate Archer with his Caribbean roots, his consistent performances for England have firmly established him as a key figure in their national setup.

Beyond the off-field chatter, Archer maintained his focus on cricket. He reflected on the effort it takes to perform consistently in the IPL and emphasized the importance of making the most of favorable conditions. His form has been a welcome boost for Rajasthan Royals, who moved up to seventh in the IPL 2025 points table with two wins from four matches.

Despite the identity question, Archer remained grounded. Speaking about his performance, he said he’s focused on training hard and staying consistent. “You enjoy the good ones and take the bad ones in your stride. Everyone is training just as hard as you,” he said after being named Player of the Match.

The encounter against Punjab Kings highlighted not only Archer’s bowling brilliance but also his composed handling of sensitive topics off the field — showing that he prefers to let his game do the talking.

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India News

Piyush Goyal’s startup remarks spark debate, boAT’s Aman Gupta voices support amid backlash

Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s comments urging Indian startups to aim beyond delivery apps has divided the ecosystem. boAT’s Aman Gupta defended the remarks, while others criticized them as dismissive.

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Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent comments questioning the direction of India’s startup ecosystem have ignited a fiery debate. Speaking at Startup Mahakumbh, Goyal asked whether India should settle for building apps that deliver groceries and ice cream while countries like China push the envelope on semiconductors, EVs, and AI.

“Should we make ice cream (delivery apps) or make chips (semiconductors)? Do we just want to sell things?” Goyal questioned, critiquing what he called a focus on “dukaandari.”

While his remarks drew criticism from parts of the startup community, boAT co-founder Aman Gupta came out in support, calling it a motivational push rather than a dismissal. “Piyush Goyal ji isn’t against founders. His point was simple — we’ve come far, now let’s aim higher,” Gupta said.

Founders respond with fire and facts

The statement didn’t land well with all. Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha defended consumer internet startups, citing job creation, tax contributions, and innovation. “If 1.5 lakh people earning livelihoods on Zepto isn’t Indian innovation, I don’t know what is,” he said in a detailed LinkedIn post.

Others like Ashneer Grover pointed out that even China’s tech evolution began with food delivery and scaled up. “Maybe it’s time politicians aspire for 10%+ GDP growth before chiding job creators,” he quipped.

Industry veterans call for support, not criticism

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai stressed the need for government backing, not belittlement, reminding that policy hurdles like Angel Tax and regulatory blocks have long slowed down India’s deep-tech aspirations. Shaadi.com’s Anupam Mittal echoed the sentiment, saying that while deep-tech startups do exist, they lack capital and commercialization support.

Despite the heat, Goyal stood firm, accusing the Opposition of twisting his remarks, and reaffirmed confidence in Indian youth: “Young Indians are ready to capture the world.”

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India News

Pikachu joins protest against Trump and Musk, viral costume becomes symbol of anti-govt anger

A protester in a Pikachu costume became an unexpected face of resistance during the largest anti-Trump demonstrations since his return, with over 1,200 rallies across the US.

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Pokeman protest against Trump

Amid chants, placards, and impassioned speeches during the largest day of protests since Donald Trump’s return to office, one figure in Washington, D.C. stood out — and it wasn’t a politician. It was Pikachu.

The beloved Pokémon mascot, now apparently moonlighting as a freedom fighter, was spotted bouncing through crowds at the National Mall, joining the wave of resistance against President Trump and his adviser Elon Musk. The appearance comes just days after a similar Pikachu protest scene unfolded in Turkey, where the yellow-costumed figure was seen dodging riot police amid political chaos.

Saturday’s rallies, branded under the “Hands Off!” campaign, spanned all 50 U.S. states, with more than 1,200 protests from Anchorage to Miami. Demonstrators came out in droves to denounce what they see as the Trump administration’s aggressive attempts to gut federal institutions, slash social programs, and muzzle civil liberties.

In Washington, activists took the stage, from Graylan Hagler, who warned, “They’ve woken up a sleeping giant,” to Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who declared:

“They’re not just attacking policies. They’re attacking people.”

Protesters voiced anger over layoffs, immigration crackdowns, and the rollback of LGBTQ+ protections. Signs reading “Hands off our democracy” and “Hands off our Social Security” were spotted nationwide — though none quite outshone Pikachu, whose appearance went viral within hours.

Criticism wasn’t just aimed at Trump. Much of the fury centered on Elon Musk, who now leads the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with overseeing sweeping cuts across government programs. Musk’s defenders say he’s saving taxpayers billions. Protesters say he’s turning public service into a pile of “404 errors.”

The White House responded dismissively, insisting Trump is committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — and accused Democrats of threatening these programs by offering them to undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, speaking at another rally, said:

“I refuse to raise my kids in a country where intimidation replaces leadership and diversity is seen as a threat.”

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