Ministry of Science & Technology
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Indian Institute of Astrophysics signs an MoU with the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department

Posted On: 03 JAN 2025 3:33PM by PIB Bengaluru

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department of the Government of Karnataka to promote astronomy through the Arivu Kendras across the state.

RDPR operates 5880 Arivu Kendras, or Gram Panchayat Libraries in the state, located primarily in rural areas, which are run by dedicated Library Supervisors. Through this MoU, IIA will work with the department to promote awareness and interest in astronomy, as well as science literacy and scientific temper in the communities served by these Kendras. This will be done through training and mentorship of the Supervisors, creation of astronomy resources in Kannada, and collaboration in organising public activities around celestial events. The MoU was signed between Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA, and Dr. Arundhati Chandrashekar, IAS,Commissioner, Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate, RDPR Department, Government of Karnataka. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics is an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

This MoU will enable the two organisations to work together to provide information to the communities, in Kannada, on astronomy events that can be seen with the naked eye, as well as details about quotidian astronomy. Library Supervisors will be trained to conduct low cost hands-on activities for the public and especially for the students. Online interactions through the Computer Labs in the Arivu Kendras in the form of talks, contests, and digital tools will also be promoted. Training in the use of small telescopes will also be provided.

“I am happy that we signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Our 5880 Arivu Kendras, spread across rural Karnataka, serve a large community, and this will lead them to learn more about the night sky and recent astronomy news and discoveries. Promoting astronomy and science, especially in Kannada, will lead to increased science literacy, especially among the students who access our Arivu Kendras, and through them, promoting scientific temperament in the rural community”, said Dr. Arundhati Chandrashekar

“Rural communities have a fantastic scientific resource, which is access to darker night skies due to reduced light pollution. We have been working with a few Arivu Kendras especially through our COSMOS-Mysuru project, and we look forward to a successful collaboration with the department to spread astronomy throughout rural Karnataka through our dedicated outreach section”, said Annapurni Subramaniam.

 

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