LD College of Engineering launches happiness centre to address student stress, Ahmedabad-based scientist contributes to NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission, heavy rain forecasted in parts of Gujarat due to low-pressure system, and more. Stay updated with the latest developments in the city with this Ahmedabad news roundup.

In an effort to reduce student stress and prevent extreme outcomes, LD College of Engineering has inaugurated a Happiness Centre. The initiative, set to fully roll out after Diwali, will deploy a squad of 300 student volunteers. These volunteers, called 'Swajan Mitra,' will engage their peers with a series of questions about stress, anger, and enthusiasm for studies to assess mental health.

Responses will be reviewed by expert psychologists, and students showing signs of stress will receive professional counselling.

Rutu Parekh, an Ahmedabad native and post-doctoral fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is part of the science team working on the Europa Clipper Mission, aimed at exploring Jupiter’s moon, Europa.

An alumna of St. Xavier’s College and CEPT University, Parekh began her journey in planetary science with an internship at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, marking a significant contribution from the city’s talent pool to the international space mission.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in several parts of Gujarat on Monday as a low-pressure system moves northwest over the east-central Arabian Sea.

Areas such as Surat, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Junagadh, Porbandar, and Gir Somnath are likely to experience heavy rains, while Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and other regions may see light to moderate thunderstorms with lightning.

The Ahmedabad Traffic Police has introduced a new monitoring system for traffic police and Traffic Regulatory Brigade (TRB) personnel. The initiative, led by Traffic Joint Commissioner of Police NN Choudhary, involves equipping personnel with body-worn cameras.

A dedicated squad will monitor footage from these cameras in real time from a control room to ensure proper conduct and accountability on duty.

The Gujarat government has announced an eco-friendly initiative to use plastic waste in road construction, aimed at reducing plastic pollution and enhancing road durability.

With an approved budget of Rs 112.50 crore, the project will focus on the repair and reinforcement of 13 roads covering a total of 105 km. The use of plastic is expected to improve the lifespan of these roads while promoting sustainable development in the state.