FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 18 | INDORE | THURSDAY | JUNE 26, 2025 | Pages 18 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports THE DAY THAT CHANGED INDIAN CRICKET FOREVER P.18 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN MONEY PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK Agencies NEW DELHI India returned to human spaceflight on Wednesday after 41 years, as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla soared into orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket, heading towards the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Space’s commercial mission Ax-4. fp Briefs BENGALURU India 3rd in startup funding India jumped to third place in global tech startup funding in the first half this year (H1 2025), raising $4.8 billion, a report showed on Wednesday. Despite the year-on-year slowdown, India ranked third globally in tech startup funding, ahead of Germany and Israel and trailing the US and the UK, according to Tracxn. MUMBAI FDI inflows surge to $8.8 bn Gross inward foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into India surged to $8.8 billion in April this year, higher than $5.9 billion in March and $7.2 billion in April 2024, according to the RBI's monthly bulletin released on Wednesday. NEW DELHI ‘Modi first, country later’ The Congress on Wednesday once again displayed its angst at its MP Shashi Tharoor’s repeated praises of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government on various issues when party president Mallikarjun Kharge remarked that while for the Congress it is always “nation first” for others it may be “Modi first”. See Nation After many postponements, the launch took place at 12:01 pm IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The spacecraft is expected to dock at the ISS at 4:30 pm on Thursday, capping a 28-hour journey. Shukla, a native of Lucknow and an accomplished Indian Air Force officer, is accompanied by three others, former NASA astronaut and mission com- Cinema ‘Aamir does not interfere’ CBSE Class 10 board exams twice a year from 2026 PTI announced just minutes after liftoff. “It was a great ride.” As the Dragon spacecraft entered Earth’s orbit at a speed of 7.5 km per second, Shukla shared emotional words: “The tricolour on my shoulders tells me I am with you all. This is not just the start of my journey to the ISS, but also the beginning of India’s human spaceflight programme.” Before launch, Shukla also shared a personal moment: his favourite song on the day’s playlist was “Yuh Hi Chala Chal” from the movie Swades, a track that resonates with his journey. The song, composed by A.R. Rahman and famously I want each one of you to be part of this journey. Let us embark on India’s human space programme together Shubhanshu Shukla Group Captain featured in Shah Rukh Khan’s character a NASA scientist returning to rural India symbolizes perseverance and following one's path. 4Continued on | P8 Pak ready for meaningful dialogue: Sharif Raja murder case: Pistol recovered from nullah PTI Our Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD INDORE The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Shillong Police, investigating the high-profile Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, has finally recovered the pistol allegedly stolen by property dealer Silom James. The pistol was hidden in a drain (nullah) in Palasia area of Indore after being taken from a flat rented by Silom to one of the accused, where Raja’s wife Sonam had stayed for a few days. Police said Sonam had left the pistol, cash and other valuables in the flat before leaving for Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh. Silom reportedly discarded the bag containing the pistol into the drain a few days ago. With help from the Indore Crime Branch, Shillong police also recovered Rs 50,000 from Silom’s car parked outside his residence in Hare Krishna Vihar. This cash is believed to be the same amount missing from the stolen bag. However, the stolen jewellery and laptop are still untraceable. Police had earlier taken the accused to the site where he allegedly burnt the bag after removing the cash and pistol. Silom James was recently arrested by Shillong Police for stealing the bag from the flat. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his readiness for a meaningful dialogue with India to address all outstanding issues. Sharif views on a dialogue with India were expressed during a telephonic conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, little over two months after tensions between the two neighbours escalated post the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Questions over damage to Iran’s N-facilities Agencies WASHINGTON An initial classified assessment by the Pentagon's Defence Intelligence Agency has found that the US strikes on Iranian facilities might set back the country's nuclear programme by a matter of months and not decades, as has been claimed by the US. CBS news said quoting sources familiar with the re- Tehran wants compensation Days after swearing their nukes were untouched, Tehran now is demanding Washington foot the bill — or else they’re marching to the UN with a complaint the size of a centrifuge. In an interview with a Lebanese news agency, Iran’s Deputy FM, Saeed Khatibzadeh, thundered: “Washington must pay compensation for the damages caused to Iran’s facilities, or else Tehran will file a complaint with the United Nations on this matter.” port that the assessment by the DIA, the Pentagon's military intelligence wing, said the strikes caused the entrances to two nuclear enrichment facilities , including Fordo, to be Pakistan eyes nuclear ICBM Online Report Pakistan is reportedly developing a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States, say American intelligence agencies. A Foreign Affairs report claims the project may be backed by China, especially following India's Operation Sindoor.U.S. officials warn that if Islamabad acquires such a missile, Washington would be forced to classify Pakistan as a nuclear adversary—alongside Russia, China, and North Korea. Pakistan has previously maintained its nuclear arsenal was solely to deter India, focusing on short- and medium-range missiles. ICBMs can strike targets over 5,500 km. Pakistan currently lacks such capability but tested the 2,700 kmrange Shaheen-III missile in 2022. These weapons can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads. Pakistan is the only nucleararmed state that does not currently have ICBMs. There are only a handful of countries, including the US and Russia, that possess the ICBM. If Pakistan is successful in developing the strategic nuclear missile, it would join the likes of these nations. The US, Russia, China, India, France, UK, Israel and North Korea currently have such weapons. sealed off. Resumption of the enrichment program may be determined by how long it takes Iran to clear the entrances and make repairs to electrical and water supplies, two sources familiar with the report's findings said. The DIA assessment also indicates some of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile was moved before the strikes, one of the sources said. 4Continued on | P8 Mamdani wins NYC mayoral primary NEW YORK: In a stunning victory, Indian-American lawmaker Zohran Kwame Mamdani defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary race for New York City mayor. Mamdani, son of renowned Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a Ugandan author of Indian ancestry, was declared victorious in the Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday night. Turbulence, too many l Ujjain airport needs 230 acres; only 64 acres available currently l Land acquisition must involve private owners due to lack of government land l Shivpuri project faces forest land and religious trust hurdles l State targets wider air connectivity under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) The aviation department’s ambitious plan to develop the Ujjain airstrip into a fullfledged airport before the upcoming Simhastha has hit a major roadblock due to land availability issues. Currently spread across 64 acres, the existing airstrip falls far short of the land needed for an airport, and the lack of nearby government land means acquiring private land is now the only viable option. In response, the Ujjain district administration has been pressed into action to identify suitable land. Collector Raushan Kumar Singh confirmed receiving a letter from the aviation department stating that 230 acres are required. “A survey is underway to locate the required land, but no area has been finalised yet,” he told Free Press. The Ujjain airport is to be developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme FP News Service From 2026, Class-10 students will be able to take CBSE board exams twice in an academic session but it will be mandatory for them to appear for the first phase in February, officials said on Wednesday. The second phase scheduled in May will be optional for students who wish to improve their performance. In case a student appears for both the phases, the best score of the two will be retained, they said. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the norms for conducting board exams twice a year for Class-10, a move recommended in the new National Education Policy (NEP). "The first phase will be conducted in February and second in May. The results for the two phases will be announced in April and June, respectively," CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said. "It will be mandatory (for students) to appear for the first phase while the second phase will be optional. Students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects out of science, mathematics, social science and languages," he added. On the solemn occasion marking 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in commemorating what he called “one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history.” A day steeped in political memory and constitutional reckoning, June 25 was observed by the Union government as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas — the Day the Constitution Was Murdered. In an emotionally charged and politically resonant moment, Prime Minister Modi unveiled a new book titled The Emergency Diaries: Years That Forged a Leader, published by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation. The book, described as a deeply personal account, chronicles his journey during the Emergency years, drawing from archival materials and firsthand accounts of those who worked with him as a young RSS pracharak navigating India’s darkest hours. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has penned the foreword, underscoring the bipartisan resistance to the authoritarianism of that era. “The Emergency Diaries brought back many memories from that time,” the Prime Minister wrote on X “It reaffirms the vitality of preserving our democratic 4Continued on | P8 I call upon all those who remember those dark days or whose families suffered to share their experiences. Let this become a moment of mass memory and intergenerational awareness Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India framework. I call upon all those who remember those dark days or whose families suffered to share their experiences. Let this become a moment of mass memory and intergenerational awareness.” Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet met under Modi’s leadership to commemorate the 50th anniversary. 4Continued on | P8 TWO WORKERS KILLED IN CHORAL TUNNEL COLLAPSE FP News Service MHOW Two workers were killed on Wednesday morning when a portion of an under-construction tunnel caved in near Choral, along the Indore-Ichhapur National Highway. The collapse occurred around 4 a.m. at Tunnel Number 3— part of a major infrastructure project meant to enhance connectivity between Indore and Khandwa. Deputy Superintendent of Police Umakant Choudhary said the incident was triggered by persistent heavy rainfall, which loosened the surrounding soil and led to the outer face of the tunnel collapsing. “One worker died on the spot, while the other succumbed to injuries later in the hospital,” he confirmed. A MERG report has been filed, and investigations are underway, with a focus on whether safety protocols were adequately followed, especially during the risky monsoon period. The deceased were identified as Vikas (29), from Jhonka Vermasia in Jharkhand’s Giridih district, and Lalji Kaul from Three labourers electrocuted during roof work in Raisen Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL (RCS). Once completed, it would significantly enhance air access to the city, cutting travel time for visitors, especially during high-traffic religious events. A senior aviation department officer said that the Shivpuriairport project—for which an agreement was signed earlier—is also stuck due to land issues. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Ujjain airport plan hits land hurdle Rajan Raikwar ‘Darkest chapter in India’s history’ MUMBAI Three labourers were killed and four others injured when a concrete mixer machine came in contact with an electricity cable during roof casting work at a house in Raisen district on Wednesday, police said. The incident took place around 3 pm in Padaria Kalan village under Bamhori police station. Police said that workers were laying the roof of a concrete house belonging to Jamna Kewat. While pulling out the lift machine used for mixing cement-concrete, the machine touched a live power line, resulting in electrocution. Superintendent of Police Pankaj Pandey said, "The work of casting the roof was underway when the mixer machine accidentally came in contact with a power line." offgrid BHOPAL P.16 NEW DELHI n 14-DAY STAY IN SPACE STATION n 60 MICROGRAVITY EXPERIMENTS mander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. With this mission, Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984 aboard the Soviet Salyut7 station. “Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years,” Shukla E-paper Edit Air safety under a cloud P.6 Silver prices poised to rise on rising demand, declining supply Tricolour soars with Axiom-4 n INDIAN IN SPACE-FLIGHT AFTER 41 YRS n CELEBRATIONS ACROSS INDIA MUMBAI Mentally ill man killed as govt house collapses Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL A portion of an old and dilapidated government quarter in the rear section of TT Nagar’s Old MLA Quarters collapsed, resulting in the death of a mentally deranged man who had taken shelter inside during rains. On Wednesday afternoon around 3:30 pm, the man’s head was trapped under the debris for about half-anhour as he cried for help, while locals recorded videos. The man was rescued by SDRF and police team and rushed to hospital, where he was declared brought dead on arrival. The victim, believed to be mentally unstable, was reportedly sleeping inside the structure at the time of the collapse. According to ACP TT Nagar Anita Khatarkar, police reached the spot immediately after receiving a Dial 100 call. Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. Both had been staying in a nearby labour camp. Vikas was buried under the debris, while Lalji was first taken to a private hospital in Mhow and later referred to Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital in Indore, where he died during treatment. 4Continued on | P8 Pak army officer, who captured Abhinandan in 2019, killed ISLAMABAD An officer of the Pakistan Army's Special Services Group, who had claimed to have captured Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman after his jet was shot down in a dogfight in 2019, was killed in a clash with the Taliban militants, according to the army. Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, 37, was killed on Tuesday in a clash with the Taliban militants in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan near the Afghan border, according to a statement by the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army. Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, 27, was also killed in the same battle, it said. The army troops killed 11 terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and wounded seven others in the same operation, the statement said. Moiz's funeral prayer was offered at Chaklala Garrison, Rawalpindi, and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended it.