Himachal Pradesh Celebrates First Anniversary of National Space Day at Science Learning Centre, Shoghi
2 min read
Shimla, August 23, 2024: The Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (HIMCOSTE) marked the first anniversary of National Space Day at the Centre for Science Learning and Creativity in Shoghi, Shimla. This Science Learning Centre, the second of its kind in the state, offers children the opportunity to understand science through interactive models in a creative and engaging manner. A planetarium is also being constructed at the center, which will allow local students to study space science and technology without needing to travel to other states.
National Space Day is closely linked to the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It was on this day that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) declared the celebration to honor this remarkable achievement. The theme of the day is “Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” reflecting the profound impact of India’s space programs on everyday life.
On this occasion, HIMCOSTE Member Secretary Mr. D.C. Rana congratulated the nation’s and state’s scientists and highlighted HIMCOSTE’s efforts to make science accessible and interesting for children. Chief Guest Dr. Suresh Attri, Joint Member Secretary of HIMCOSTE, emphasized the significance of the two-day program designed for school and university students from Shimla and Solan districts, which includes a lecture series by renowned scientists.
The event also featured a quiz competition involving seven teams, enhancing students’ knowledge of National Space Day. Dr. Attri noted that students from various schools and colleges across the state regularly visit the Science Museum to learn science through models, furthering their interest in the subject.
The chief speaker, Dr. Manish Purohit (Retd.) from ISRO, along with Dr. B.K. Tyagi (Retd.) from Vigyan Prasar, Delhi, shared insights on India’s space programs with students from Shimla, Lahaul Spiti, and Solan districts. They also discussed career opportunities in space research and praised the diverse science models and equipment at the Shoghi Science Museum. Dr. Attri mentioned that the popularity of this center will rise to a national level once the planetarium is completed.
Dr. Attri also conveyed greetings from the Honorable Chief Minister, Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to ISRO scientists and all state scientists on the first anniversary of National Space Day, commemorating the success of Chandrayaan-3. The Chief Minister extended congratulations to the Department of Environment, Science, and Technology for establishing this center.
