Kolkata, Sep 29 (IANS) Asia’s first and arguably biggest astronomical observatory, Kolkata’s M.P. Birla Planetarium, has lined a host of programmes including opening its gates to 50,000 schoolchildren for a nominal Rs.5 fee to mark its two-year golden jubilee celebrations, its director said Thursday.
‘We have started the golden jubilee celebration July 2 which will run up to July 2, 2013. We have planned a number of activities to celebrate the event which includes student rallies, guest lectures by eminent personalities among others. We have also planned to invite 50,000 school children from across West Bengal for our show just for Rs.5,’ said D.P. Duari, director of the observatory.
The planetarium started functioning from Sep 29, 1962 as an educational, scientific and research institution and was formally inaugurated on July 2, 1963, by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
R.Subramanian, the director general and head of the planetarium, who is associated with it since its inception said: ‘I am so glad for our association which turns 50 years. For the last 50 years, the curiosity and the interest of the people for the planetarium has not dipped a bit. It continues to entertain and educate people.’
‘When it was thrown open, the security people found it nearly impossible to control the huge crowd. In those days a ticket of the planetarium was the best gift one could give to a special person (girlfriend),’ recalled a chuckling Subramanian.
The octogenarian also informed that the structure of the planetarium was based on the model of Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh built by emperor Ashoka.
Asked why Birla being a devout Hindu chose a Buddhist structure, Subramanium replied: ‘The best people to answer the question are no more. They did a lot of research and must have found the stupa to be the most appropriate. I too feel a dome is the perfect structure for a planetarium.’
