News Around:

News Around:
Compiled By: Asim Deb, 1977 Electronics & Tele-Communication Engineering.

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon, embarked on an eight-month mission abroad the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) onboard from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, on Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, where he will conduct a series of cutting-edge scientific experiments aimed at preparing humanity for future deep-space exploration while advancing technologies that could benefit life on Earth. One of the mission’s key investigations will involve AI-assisted ultrasound scanning, a technology designed to help astronauts perform complex medical examinations in space with limited support from doctors on Earth. The system could eventually become an essential tool for diagnosing medical conditions during deep-space missions where communication delays make real-time guidance impossible.

Born in Minneapolis to Ukrainian and Indian immigrants, 49-year-old Dr. Menon is an emergency medicine physician and a Colonel in the US Space Force. He studied neurobiology at Harvard University before completing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a medical degree at Stanford University. He later specialised in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine. He served on the front lines in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom while in the U.S. Air Force and later volunteered with the Himalayan Rescue Association, providing care for climbers on Mount Everest. He has also spent a year in India as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to study and support Polio vaccination initiatives.

Awards/Honors:
Theodore Lyster Award,
SpaceX “Kick-Ass” Award,
NASA JSC Group Achievement award for Expedition 45 Medical Team, U.S.
Air Force Commendation Medal, 173rd Fighter Wing Category V Airmen of the Year,
William K. Douglas Award in Aerospace Medicine (UTMB),
Air Force Voluntary Service Medal,
Stanford Emergency Medicine Resident Award for Procedural Excellence,
Stanford Emergency Medicine Residency Bedside Teaching Award,
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance Grant,
Stanford Medical Scholars,
Hoopes Prize for outstanding and original undergraduate thesis, summa cum laude with highest honors for undergraduate thesis,
John Harvard Scholar,
Harvard National Scholar,
Harvard College Dean’s Summer Research Award,
Jewett Community Service Award,
Westinghouse Science Talent Search Finalist,
Rensselaer Medal for Math and Science Achievement,
National Science Foundation Young Scholars Grant.

Dr. Menon began his career at NASA as a flight surgeon in 2014 and worked with astronauts living and working on the International Space Station. He joined SpaceX in 2018, where he started the company’s medical program, helped prepare for its first human space flights and worked closely in the development of Starship, the super-heavy rocket and spacecraft for undertaking missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in December 2021 and joined the two-year training program next month.

Menon will also participate in experiments aimed at manufacturing high-quality semiconductors in microgravity. Scientists believe the weightless environment of space could enable the production of more uniform and defect-free semiconductor materials, paving the way for next-generation components used in high-performance computers, advanced electronics and communications systems on Earth. The findings are expected to play a critical role in planning future expeditions to the Moon under the Artemis program and, eventually, the first human missions to Mars.

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Captain Shiva Chauhan: First Woman Officer to Serve at the World’s Highest Battlefield, Siachen:

Captain Shiva Chauhan has etched her name in Indian military history by becoming the first woman officer to be operationally deployed at Kumar Post on the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, at an altitude of more than 20,000 feet. It is regarded as one of the toughest assignments in the Indian Army due to extreme weather, low oxygen levels and hazardous terrain. Her deployment marks a significant milestone in the expanding role of women in the armed forces and reflects the Army’s growing emphasis on merit and capability.

A native of Udaipur, Rajasthan, Captain Shiva Chauhan lost her father at the age of 11. Her mother encouraged her education and also the ambition of serving in the Indian Armed Forces. After completing her schooling in Udaipur, she did a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering in 2020 at Techno NJR Institute of Technology. Determined to join the Army, she prepared for the Short Service Commission (Technical) entry and secured the All India Rank 1 in the Services Selection Board (SSB) in March 2020. Following successful completion of her training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, she was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in May 2021. She was later posted to the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps, which is responsible for operations in Ladakh and other high-altitude regions.

Captain Chauhan earned recognition during her service in Ladakh through her physical endurance and operational competence. In July 2022, during the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations, she led the Sura Soi Cycling Expedition. The team cycled nearly 508 kilometres from the Siachen War Memorial to the Kargil War Memorial over 11 days, negotiating difficult mountain roads and extreme weather conditions. Her leadership during the expedition further demonstrated her capability to undertake demanding operational responsibilities. Before being cleared for deployment on the Siachen Glacier, Captain Chauhan completed an intensive one-month training programme at the Siachen Battle School alongside fellow officers and soldiers.

First Woman Officer at Kumar Post
After completing the specialised training, she was inducted onto the Siachen Glacier on January 2, 2023, following a challenging climb to Kumar Post. The Fire and Fury Corps announced that she had become the first woman officer of the Indian Army to be operationally deployed at the strategically significant post.

She was assigned to lead a team of Sappers and entrusted with combat engineering responsibilities, including providing critical engineering support in one of the most demanding operational theatres in the world.

Her deployment represents more than an individual achievement. Her journey from a young student in Rajasthan to making history at Siachen stands as an inspiration for aspiring officers across the country, demonstrating that determination, skill and perseverance can overcome even the most formidable challenges.

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India Wins 1 Gold, 3 Silver Medals at the 37th International Biology Olympiad 2026 in Lithuania:

India has won one gold and three silver medals at the 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2026 held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Bhavyaa Gunwal from Haryana won the gold medal while Soumil Maity from West Bengal, Nishit Kalani from Rajasthan and Anmol Kumar from Punjab won silver medals.

The Olympiad commenced on 12th of July and concluded on 19th July. The Department of Atomic Energy said that there were 307 students from 78 countries in this year’s IBO. It added that a total of 31 gold, 61 silver, and 91 bronze medals were awarded. This was India’s 26th appearance at the IBO and of the 104 students so far, 17 have received gold medals, 69 silver, 17 bronze, and 1 honourable mention.

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India Clinches 2 Gold and 4 Silver Medals at International Math Olympiad:

The Indian winning team: Aarav Gupta (Delhi) – Gold, Abel George Mathew (Karnataka) – Gold, Bairav Murugan (Karnataka) – Silver, Kanav Talwar (Delhi) – Silver, Sanjana Philo Chacko (Kerala) – Silver, and Shreya Shantanu Mundhada (Mumbai) – Silver

India rounded off the International STEM Olympiads with a 6 member team securing 2 Gold and 4 Silver medals at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2026 held in Shanghai. This placed India in the 7th rank with 166 points globally. The victory marks India’s fourth consecutive finish in the global Top 10. This was the largest IMO ever organized since 1959 with the Indian contingent competing against nearly 680 brilliant participants from 117 nations, as per Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).

Prof. Prithwijit De, the National Coordinator, Mathematical Olympiad Physics Olympiad, says in the last four years, the Indian Math Olympiad team has performed extraordinarily well. “We have clinched a spot in the top 10 among 100+ participating countries, which was not a very regular occurrence in the past,” he adds. Winners typically enrol for a course in Math and Computer Science in India or abroad, he said, speaking about the career paths of the students.

The Indian contingent was led by Leader Anant Mudgal (Mathelots Pvt. Ltd.) and Deputy Leader Dr. Mainak Ghosh of HBCSE-TIFR, while Siddharth Choppara of Chennai Mathematical Institute and Adhitya Mangudy (MIT, USA) served as Observers. Three of the mentors are illustrious past IMO medalists themselves, returning to mentor the next generation.

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India clinches Gold Medals at International Chemistry Olympiad (ICHO).

Kabir Chillar, Debadatta Priyadarshi, Harshit Singla, and Sandeep Kuchi, won gold medals at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad, (IChO). held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. They ensured India achieve an outstanding performance on the global stage and highlighting the country’s academic talent.

For Kabeer, its special, as after securing AIR 1 in JEE Main and AIR 2 in JEE Advanced 2026, IIT Bombay student Kabir Chillar continued his remarkable academic journey by winning this Gold medal for India at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad, inspiring lakhs of engineering and science aspirants across the country. The prodigy, also represented Haryana in soccer. The boy is currently a Computer Science Engineering student at IIT Bombay, aims to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for higher studies.

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