NEWS,

• Voting begins for assembly elections in Uttarakhand and second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

• ISRO all set to launch a record 104 satellites including Cartosat-2 in a single mission at 9:28 AM this morning.

• In Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar joins Panneerselvam camp, says would extend her full support to him.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his thoughts in Mann Ki Baat programme of All India Radio on 26th of this month.

• In Jammu and Kashmir, four terrorists killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Kupwara and Bandipora districts.

• And in Table Tennis, India's Soumyajit Ghosh and Sanil Shetty enter the main draw of the ITTF World Tour India Open tournament.

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Voting has begun for Assembly elections in Uttarakhand and second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh. 

In Uttarakhand, voting is taking place for 69 of the 70 assembly seats. Polling in Karnprayag constituency has been rescheduled for the 9th of next month following the death of a candidate. The polling which began at 8 AM will continue till 5 PM. A total of 628 candidates are in the fray for the single phase polling in the hill state.

Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of polls. 

Polling is also underway for the second phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Voting is taking place for 67 constituencies spread over 11 district of western UP in this phase.  721 candidates 82 women and one third gender are in the fray. Over 2.28 crore voters, will exercise their franchise in this phase. The districts going to polls in the second phase are Saharanpur, Bijnor, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Bareilly, Amroha, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur-Kheri, Shahjahanpur and Badaun. The polling which began at 7 AM will end at 5 PM.  Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polling.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the people of  Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to participate in the polls. In a tweet, Mr Modi urged them to vote in large numbers and become a partner of this festival of democracy.

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For the sixth phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, a total of 742 candidates have filed nominations till yesterday which was the last date for filing of nominations. 49 constituencies spread over seven districts will go to polls in this phase on the 4th of March.​ These districts are Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau And Ballia, The scrutiny of nominations will take place tomorrow, while last dat for withdrawal of nomintion is Saturday.

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In yet another major development in Tamil Nadu's politics, the late AIADMK leader J.Jayalalithaa's niece J Deepa has joined the O.Panneerselvam camp. Mr Panneerselvam and Ms Deepa paid homage to the late leader at her burial site a Marina Beach late last night. Ms Deepa then announced her official entry into politics by joining the Panneersevlvam camp of the party. Afterwards she visited the chief minister's official residence and said, she and Mr Panneerselvam share the same views and function like two arms to carry forward the ideals of late Jayalalithaa.

Earlier, both warring factions of the AIADMK met Governor Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan in Chennai last evening after Supreme Court convicted V K Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case. The AIADMK MLAs had an emergency meeting and elected minister Edappadi K.Palaniswamy as their new Legislature Party leader, in presence of VK Sasikala. Mr. Palanyswamy called on the Governor and staked his claim to form the new government.         

Meanwhile, two emissaries of the Panneerselvam camp also met the Governor and stressed their case to allow his government to continue. Mr Panneerselvam made an appeal to all the MLAs and cadres of the party to forget what he called a temporary phase of problems and pain and unitedly carry forward the 'good rule of late Jayalalithaa.' 

After a long huddle with her party legislators at Kuvathur, Ms Sasikala said late last night that she cannot be separated from the AIADMK wherever she is. She is expected to surrender before the Bengaluru court by today to undergo the prison sentence. Our correspondent reports that both the camps in the ruling AIADMK are hopeful of forming the government in Tamil Nadu.

"While Mr Edappadi Palaniswamy from the Sasikala faction is confident that he would get the first invitation from the Governor, the Panneerselvam led team expects continuance of his rule. A key member of his core group and minister K.Pandiarajan told AIR News, he expects the Governor would allow Mr Panneerselvam to take back his resignation as it was made under duress. However, the decision of the Governor on whom to give the chance first to prove his majority would play a significant role. JAYASINGH AIR NEWS, CHENNAI."

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch a record 104 satellites including Cartosat-2 in a single mission today. The heavy duty rocket PSLV C37 carrying 104 satellites will lift off at 9:28 AM from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota this morning.  The satellites will be injected into sun synchronous orbit at different slots at different angles and at different times. The 28 hour countdown for the launch started at 5:28 AM yesterday.  Our correspondent reports that this will be the world's highest number of satellites to be inserted into space in a single launch.

"India will lead the world by creating a record of sending 104 satellites in one mission and top it all in space history. This venture is not only a historical feat to maximise PSLVs capability but also to optimally utilise it as an investment opportunity. Earlier it was Russia which had launched 37 satellites at one stroke in June 2014 of the 101 nano satellites from other countries, 96 are from the United States, and the other five belong to Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Indian Cartosat -2 will be using high resolution cameras to send photographs meant for various purposes including monitoring road and sea connectivity and also geographical information system applications.  JOY, AIR, NEWS, SRIHARIKOTA."

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts on a number of themes and issues in Mann Ki Baat programme of All India Radio on 26th of this month. It will be the 29th episode of the monthly radio series. In a tweet, Mr Modi asked people to share their ideas and suggestions on Narendra Modi App. He said, your ideas could feature in this month’s Mann Ki Baat.

People can also share their ideas and suggestions at MyGov Open Forum or dial toll free number 1XXX-XX-7800 and record their message for the Prime Minister in Hindi or English from today till the 22nd of this month. People can also give a missed call on 1922 and follow the link received in SMS to directly give their suggestions to the Prime Minister.

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In Jammu and Kashmir, four terrorists have been killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Kupwara and Bandipora districts. Four army men, including a Major, were also martyred and 8 security personnel injured in the two incidents yesterday.

Police said, in an encounter, security forces gunned down three terrorists hiding in a residential house in Kralgund area of Kupwara district last evening. Major S Dahiya, who was injured in the encounter, later succumbed to his injuries.

Earlier, an encounter took place at Parray Mohalla in Hajin area of Bandipora district yesterday. One terrorist was killed in the operation. Ten security personnel, including an officer, were injured. Of them, three personnel succumbed to their injuries later.

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India's Soumyajit Ghosh and Sanil Shetty have entered the main draw of the ITTF World Tour India Open tournament. On the opening day of the event in New Delhi yesterday, Soumyajit defeated Saudi Arabia’s Ali Alkhadrawi by Four games to Three. 

Sanil Shetty also got off to a flying start yesterday, trouncing Ronit Bhanja in straight games. In his second match, he defeated Lubomir Jancark of Czech Republic.                

In the women’s singles action, recently crowned national champion Madhurika Patkar started off well but later lost to Suthirtha Mukherjee which might not help her reach the main draw.  Archana Kamath and Priyanka Pareek won both their qualifying matches.

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Newspapers Headlines

• The Supreme Court convicting VK Sasikala, of corruption and ordering jail for her for 4 year's makes for front  page  news in most of the dailies this morning. "Sasikala convicted, game on in Tamil Nadu," headlines Hindustan Times. The paper writes Panneerselvam, and 9 other sacked from AIADMK, Palaniswamy elected chief, stakes claim to Chief Minister post.
• "Prolific ISRO attempts a century today, promise of hi-resolution Earth map on board" says the Indian Express. The paper writes the PSLV-C37 will inject into orbit 104 satellites from 7 countries, nearly 3 times the highest number flown by a single mission currently.
• The Supreme Court said that it favored a policy  to deal with those suffering from mental illness and their release after been cured reports The Times of India. 
• "After 32 years, government now plans to dispose 332 tonnes of Toxic Union Carbide, Waste Via tender" notes the Economic Times adding that the move comes over a year after pilot incineration of 10 tonnes of waste was conducted in MP's Dhar district.
• "India and China make up 52% of early deaths on foul air" reports the Business Standard.  India close to displacing China as nation where most people die of air pollution.
• And finally, Now IAS, IPS couples will work in same state. Well, The Pioneer reports that the Centre on Tuesday amended the service rules to mandatories allowing them to be in same cadre.

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