India’s First Miniaturised Space Telescope ‘MIRA’ Certified Space-grade and Orbit Ready as per NASA Standards

 

India’s First Miniaturised Space Telescope ‘MIRA’ Certified Space-grade and Orbit Ready as per NASA Standards

1. Designed and developed by deeptech startup EON Space Labs, ‘MIRA’ is India’s first indigenously developed space telescope.
2. The ultra-lightweight, miniaturised space telescope successfully completed thermo-vacuum testing as per NASA standards.
3. The electro-optical payload is scheduled for a heritage space flight aboard an upcoming satellite orbit mission in December 2025.
4. The milestone is a major step toward India’s first indigenously built compact space-grade telescope weighing a mere 502 grams.

Thursday, 27th November 2025: EON Space Labs, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech startup, specialising in multi-domain earth observation, confirmed that its flagship electro-optical space telescope ‘MIRA’, successfully completed thermo-vacuum (TVAC) testing. The milestone qualifies MIRA as India’s first indigenously developed space telescope, ready to tackle the harsh environment of space during low Earth orbit (LEO) missions. MIRA has been developed as an electro-optical payload onboard satellites, utilised for dual-use strategic defence and commercial space missions.

Sanjay Kumar, Co-founder, EON Space Labs, said, “This is a truly defining moment for us. Space-grade certification proves that ultra-complex, high-precision imaging platforms can now be built and certified entirely from within India”.

The miniaturised space telescope meets stringent NASA standards for space-readiness, tested for temperature stability, vacuum tolerance, and in-orbit operational reliability. Testing was conducted at an NABL-accredited facility in Ahmedabad at vacuum levels below 10⁻⁵ torr and extreme temperature swings between −20 °C and +60 °C.

MIRA performed beyond expectations with negligible outgassing and zero optical or structural drift. It was also integrated with the onboard high-performance computer of its satellite partners, successfully demonstrating autonomous imaging and telemetry under simulated orbital conditions. MIRA is scheduled for a heritage space flight onboard an upcoming satellite orbit mission, later in December 2025.

Punit Badeka, Cofounder, EON Space Labs, said, “MIRA enables the highest-quality imagery at a fraction of traditional size and weight limitations. We’re not only focused on India’s self-reliance in earth observation but aim to tap the global market with MIRA.”

Designed to deliver the highest-resolution imagery while weighing barely 502 grams, MIRA is at least 3 to 4 times lighter than conventional space telescopes. Payload delivery costs, which can be as high as USD 10K to 20K per kilogram, can be slashed without the need for compromising on image resolution.

“Our vertically integrated optical and AI-enabled stack delivers an operational payload perfectly aligned for the extreme environment of space," added Manoj Kumar Gaddam, Co-founder, EON Space Labs.

While MIRA heads toward orbit, EON Space Labs is also focusing on the parallel development of its LUMIRA EO/IR aerial imaging and reconnaissance platforms, designed as a dual-use payload for drones, UAVs, eVTOL and fixed-wing aircraft. The approach reinforces the startup's commitment to vertically integrated optics designed for multi-domain dual-use applications across space, aerial and ground-based platforms.

Rahi Anil Barve's MAYASABHA at IFFI Goa Film Festival 2025

Rahi Anil Barve's MAYASABHA at IFFI Goa Film Festival 2025

 

After TUMBBAD Rahi Anil Barve's next Hindi feature film MAYASABHA - The Hall of Illusion has been officially selected under the prestigious WAVES Film Bazaar – Viewing Room (Indian Panorama – IFFI)section.

This year, the festival received a total of 3,468 film submissions in various languages from across the world. After an extensive selection process, only 82 outstanding feature films were chosen — and among them stands MAYASABHA. This selection provides the film an honoUrable platform in front of renowned international distributors, festival programmers, producers, sales agents, and industry professionals.

Set against the backdrop of monsoon-soaked Mumbai, MAYASABHA unfolds a gripping story of human greed, survival, shattered dreams, and desperate hope. The film follows a security guard on parole, and his sister who are struggling to survive life in a chawl. Their fate changes when they cross paths with a troubled yet brilliant young man — and a once-powerful film producer haunted by his past. A rumoured treasure of missing gold becomes the axis on which their lives turn upside down. What begins as a pursuit of hidden fortune slowly reveals a haunting tale of moral collapse, fractured relationships, and the fragile boundaries of humanity.

The selection of MAYASABHA at the WAVES Bazaar Viewing Room at IFFI 2025 marks a significant milestone for the entire team. This recognition opens doors for international distribution, festival consideration, collaborations, and global visibility.

Writer & Director: Rahi Anil Barve
Producers: Girish Patel & Ankoor J Singh
Presented by: Pickle Entertainment & Zeus Films India
Production House: Zirkon Films

Press Release | BenQ Launches ScreenBar Halo 2 in India, A Smarter Light for Smarter Workspaces

 

New Delhi, India — 14 November 2025: BenQ, the pioneer of monitor lighting solutions, today announced the launch of the ScreenBar® Halo 2 in India, its next-generation flagship monitor light engineered to deliver optimal eye comfort, intelligent control, and refined design for professionals, creators, and gamers working in dim or variable lighting environments. Developed over four years of research and user testing, the ScreenBar® Halo 2 enhances workspace illumination with a powerful dual-light system and a newly introduced triple-curvature backlight design, offering 423% wider coverage than its predecessor. The result is a balanced lighting environment that reduces contrast between the monitor and its surroundings, preventing visual fatigue and maintaining comfort and focus during long hours of work.

Traditional desk lamps often create glare, reflections, and uneven lighting. The ScreenBar® Halo 2 addresses these challenges through BenQ’s exclusive ASYM-Light™ optical technology, which uses an 18° asymmetrical cut-off angle to direct light onto the desk instead of the screen, completely eliminating glare and preventing direct light from reaching the eyes. Its development was informed by a study conducted in collaboration with National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, which demonstrated that maintaining balanced ambient light around a screen significantly improves eye comfort. Backed by ANSI standards, the optimal luminance ratio of no more than 3:1 between the screen and its surroundings is a core element of the ScreenBar® Halo 2’s design philosophy.

“We know professionals demand precision in lighting,” said JC Pan, Chief Product Designer at BenQ Smart Lighting. “That’s why we’ve re-engineered the controller, making it intuitive and precise. The anti-fingerprint coated wireless control dial lets users smoothly adjust brightness (0–100%) and color temperature (2700K–6500K), perfect for color grading, content creation, or late-night work.” The mounting system has also been completely redesigned. Inspired by the gravity-based mechanism of the ScreenBar Pro, the new zinc-alloy clamp supports a wide variety of monitors, from ultra-thin to curved, without causing damage. “It rests gently on the screen instead of clipping on, making it far more screen-friendly,” added Judy Yang, Lead Mechanical Engineer at BenQ Smart Lighting.

The ScreenBar® Halo 2 comes equipped with a host of smart features, including motion detection that automatically turns the light on when the user returns to the desk and powers it down after inactivity to conserve energy, auto-dimming that adapts brightness to surrounding light conditions, and memory settings that retain personalized lighting preferences. These intelligent features ensure an effortless and energy-efficient experience that adjusts naturally to each user’s workflow and environment. 

Co-designed with MINIMAL Design, founded by former Nike Global Creative Director Scott Wilson, the ScreenBar® Halo 2 features a refined metallic finish and minimal silhouette that blend seamlessly into modern workspaces. Every detail has been crafted to merge functionality with sophistication, complementing BenQ’s professional monitor lineup PD, RD, MOBIUZ, and MA series to create an elevated, cohesive setup.

“At BenQ, great technology should enhance human experience,” said Mr. Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India & South Asia.“The ScreenBar Halo 2 combines intelligent engineering, elegant design, and smart automation to make modern workspaces healthier, more productive, and visually inspiring.”

The BenQ ScreenBar® Halo 2 is now available across the BenQ India E-Store, Amazon India, and select retail partners at a price of INR 17,490.

Light that listens. Design that inspires.

Upgrade your desk with the ScreenBar Halo 2 today and experience a new dimension of comfort and clarity.

About BenQ Smart Lighting

Since introducing the world’s first monitor light bar in 2017, BenQ Smart Lighting has continuously pioneered innovation in ergonomic and professional lighting solutions. With a mission to improve eye comfort, productivity, and visual well-being, BenQ continues to develop intelligent, user-centric lighting technologies that adapt to modern hybrid and creative work environments.

Press Release - Plum Bodylovin’ Launches India’s First Ever Body Lotion Inspired Ice Cream

Mumbai, November 06, 2025: In a bold and delicious twist, Plum BodyLovin’ has partnered with artisanal dessert brand Indu Ice Cream to create a never-seen-before innovation in India: an ice cream born from a CULT-favorite body lotion.

After years of customers proclaiming that the body lotion smells drool-worthy, delicious and yum, Plum BodyLovin’ actually made their body lotion edible. Inspired by Plum BodyLovin’s best selling Vanilla Caramello Body Lotion, loved for its cozy, indulgent scent, this first-of-its-kind collaboration transforms an award-winning bestseller into a mouthwatering limited-edition ice cream creation.

Think buttery salted caramel, creamy vanilla, and pie-crust flakes — a scoop that tastes like the dessert your skin has always smelled like, topped with caramelized almonds and that pistachio oomph!

Speaking about the partnership, Stuti Sethi, Brand Lead, Plum BodyLovin’, said, “Vanilla Caramello Body Lotion has always been our most drool-worthy body creation & one that our customers couldn’t stop sniffing and called ‘good enough to eat’. So we thought, why not? What if one of India’s best selling body lotions was ACTUALLY made edible? So, we turned the rich notes of warm vanilla, salted caramel & nutty pistachios that everyone loves into a flavor you can actually taste. It’s a first-of-its-kind collab and exactly the kind of deliciously unexpected marketing twist we live for”.

Saloni Kukreja , Founder of Indu Ice Cream, shares the excitement behind the innovation. “We’ve never done anything like this before and that’s what makes it so exciting. Partnering with Plum Body Lovin’ felt like such a fun challenge. I loved how this body lotion smells, and even before the brief came in, I already had an idea of what the flavour would look like. We wanted to capture that same cozy, indulgent feeling - so we mixed subtle, floral vanilla with a buttery salted caramel base. At Indu, we love playing with texture, so we added roasted salted almonds that are lightly caramelized for crunch, and a flaky butter pie pastry with bits of pistachio layered through. The result is a scoop that’s nostalgic, comforting, and just plain fun - something everyone, no matter the age, is going to love”. 

Where to get it

The limited-edition Vanilla Caramello Ice Cream is available exclusively from Indu Ice Cream on Zomato and Swiggy, across Bandra and nearby suburbs — only until stocks last! Every order also comes with a miniature Vanilla Caramello body lotion.

About Plum BodyLovin’

 

Launched in 2020, Plum BodyLovin’ is the bold, fragrance-first bath & body line from India’s most admired new-age beauty and personal care brand - Plum. Known for its quirky campaigns, premium-yet-playful fragrances and one-of-a-kind sensorial experiences, the brand offers a vibrant mix of lotions, mists, shower gels, perfumes, gift sets and more in 15+ seriously addictive scents.

When Plum BodyLovin’ says bodycare never smelled SO GOOD, they mean it!