The programme is aimed at highlighting Gandhiji’s views on the universe and introducing astronomy to the public
Bhubaneswar: The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library of New Delhi and the Pathani Samanta Planetarium of Bhubaneswar are jointly organising a ‘Bapu Khagol Mela’ from 5pm to 7pm Thursday at the planetarium as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.
The programme is aimed at bringing Gandhiji’s views on the universe to the people of Bhubaneswar and introducing astronomy to the public.
Gandhiji had a keen interest in observing the skies, and was using a telescope to observe celestial objects from the courtyard of the Yerawada prison in1932.
He also used to share his thoughts on this with the inmates of Sabarmati Ashram through letters.
Deputy Director of Pathani Samanta Planetarium Subhendu Patnaik said, “One of the numerous tasks Gandhiji had given his ashram inmates was to watch the skies regularly as an exercise to attain peace of mind and good health.”
The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library is organising Bapu Khagol Melas all over India from October 2018 to October 2019 with the help of other organisations as a tribute to Gandhiji.
The event is coming to Pathani Samanta Planetarium and a sky watch using telescope would be organised here. The event will also have hands on activities inspired by Gandhiji’s writings on astronomy.
The director of New Delhi Nehru Planetarium, N Ratnashree, will interact with participants and answer questions on astronomy.
The event is being organised by the Pathani Samanta Planetarium jointly with the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Public Outreach Committee, Astronomical Society of India and the Samanta Chandrasekhar Amateur Astronomy Association (SCAAA) of Bhubaneswar.
Many other events are planned at places in Odisha visited by Mahatma Gandhi by the planetarium and SCAAA from October 2018 to October 2019.
