PM Hails ISRO Launch, NVS-03 Satellite Orbit Boost and Five New Missions

Ekta Diwas: Delhi Flags Off Run For Unity; PM Narendra Modi To Lead Ekta Parv In KevadiaIndia marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to honour the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In New Delhi, dignitaries, including the President of India, Union Home Minister, and Delhi Chief Minister, paid floral tributes at Patel Chowk and flagged off the Run for Unity from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The marathon saw extensive participation from youth, students, and volunteers heading towards India Gate. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat, to offer floral tributes at the Statue of Unity, inaugurate developmental projects worth around 400 crore rupees, and lead the Ekta Parv parade in the evening. This year's parade highlights national integration alongside key themes such as a Naxal-free India, 150 years of Vande Mataram, and anti-drug campaigns, featuring displays by paramilitary daredevils, state police, and regional cultural troupes.Ekta Diwas 2026: Run For Unity Held Across India; PM Narendra Modi To Lead Kevadia ParadeAcross India, celebrations for National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas are underway to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In New Delhi, the Run for Unity commenced from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, flagged off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah alongside local dignitaries. Events featuring students, NCC, and NSS volunteers were organised nationwide to bolster integration. In Kevadia, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at the 182-metre Statue of Unity and inaugurated development projects worth approximately 400 crore rupees for Ekta Nagar. The evening schedule includes an Ekta Parade showcasing paramilitary forces, Cobra Commandos, state police contingents, cultural tableaus, and bike rallies. A key theme of the parade highlights a Naxal-free India, featuring 2,000 youths from formerly affected districts in special performances alongside commemorative tributes marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.Run for Unity Flagged Off in Delhi on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas; PM to Lead Ekta ParvIndia marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honouring his role in the political integration of the country. Dignitaries, including the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister of Delhi, flagged off the Run for Unity from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The route proceeds through India Gate towards the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, with traffic regulations reported along Bhagwan Das Road, Purana Qila Road, and Mathura Road. Organised across multiple cities nationwide under the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, the event sees thousands of participants taking part. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens, especially the youth, to participate from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Kutch to Kamakhya, and is scheduled to lead the Ekta Parv at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.ISRO Launches NVS-03 via GSLV-F18 to Boost NavIC Regional NavigationThe Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully launched its next-generation navigation satellite, NVS-03, aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Marking the 20th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, the rocket placed the 2,250-kilogram satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISRO's second-generation navigation series designed to bolster and sustain the NavIC constellation. The satellite features an indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock alongside signals in the L1, L5, and S bands, reducing dependence on foreign navigation systems like GPS and GLONASS for civilian, commercial, and strategic requirements. ISRO confirmed the satellite is healthy with solar panels deployed. Officials noted that five more launches are planned for the financial year alongside preparations for the uncrewed Gaganyaan mission.