Bhubaneswar, Dec 14 (Representative) A planetarium and an institute for astrophysics and astronomy will be established in Khandapada to honor Odisha’s great astronomer Pathani Samanta, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Friday. Addressing the 18th Grand Finale of the Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) held at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar, Majhi highlighted Pathani Samanta’s remarkable achievements. He noted that Samanta, hailing from Khandapada, accurately determined solar and lunar eclipses by observing planetary and stellar movements using just two bamboo tubes. The Chief Minister also drew parallels with other great Indian astronomers. “In 1835, Aryabhata, the father of Indian astronomy, was the first to determine that the Earth rotates on its axis. Contributions from Brahmagupta’s mathematics, Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita, and Bhaskara’s Siddhanta Shiromani have made India a pioneer in astronomy,” he said. Majhi emphasized that discussions on modern space science remain incomplete without acknowledging the contributions of Indian culture. “India is now among the top five most powerful nations in space science. Today, with modern equipment, our scientists can observe areas up to 93 million light-years away. Milestones such as Chandrayaan-2, Gaganyaan, and Aditya-L1 have reinforced our faith in Indian space capabilities. Moreover, India is the first country to land a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole,” he added.
He also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious plans to launch an Indian space station by 2035 and send the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated 30 winners of the 18th edition of YATS 2024. These students will have the opportunity to visit ISRO and gain firsthand knowledge of advanced space technologies. Odisha’s Minister for Science and Technology, Krishna Chandra Patra, remarked on India’s remarkable progress in science since the time of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also recalled former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s addition of “Jai Vigyan” to the famous slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” underscoring the importance of scientific advancement. Patra celebrated the success of Chandrayaan-3 as a testament to India’s growing prowess in space science. Rajiv Kumar, Vice President of Operations at Tata Steel Kalinganagar, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing Tata Steel’s commitment to nurturing scientific thought and innovation among young minds. “The Grand Finale of the 18th Edition of Tata Steel YATS celebrates the boundless potential of young minds and their passion for science. For nearly two decades, YATS has inspired students to explore astronomy and pursue careers in science,” he said. “In collaboration with the Government of Odisha, Tata Steel has reached thousands of students, fostering talent and aspirations,” Kumar added. The 18th Edition of YATS was themed “Will Space Be Your Next Travel Destination?” Winners will visit an ISRO facility, interact with leading space scientists, and gain valuable insights into space exploration. Since its inception, YATS has engaged over 400,000 young science enthusiasts across Odisha, making it one of the region’s most prominent platforms for nurturing scientific talent