In a bid to promote scientific curiosity among rural communities in Karnataka, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has partnered with the state’s Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department. This collaboration aims to promote astronomy through ‘Arivu Kendras’, the network of approximately 5,880 gram panchayat libraries managed by dedicated library supervisors across the state.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on January 3, 2025, marking a significant step toward enhancing science literacy in rural areas. The initiative focuses on training library supervisors, developing astronomy resources in Kannada, and organising engaging activities around celestial events. By leveraging the existing infrastructure of Arivu Kendras, the program seeks to make astronomy accessible and engaging for children and the broader community.
One of the key aspects of this collaboration is the emphasis on hands-on activities. Library supervisors will be trained to conduct affordable and accessible methods to explain everyday concepts in astronomy. This practical approach is designed to spark curiosity and provide a tangible understanding of astronomical phenomena visible to the naked eye.
The initiative also plans to utilise the computer labs available in Arivu Kendras to facilitate online interactions, including talks, contests, and digital tools. This digital engagement aims to further enrich the learning experience, providing communities with up-to-date information and interactive platforms to explore the wonders of the cosmos.
Training in the use of small telescopes will add a practical element, allowing people to directly experience the beauty of the cosmos. This hands-on experience is expected to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity, encouraging more individuals to take an interest in science and astronomy.
Arundhati Chandrashekar, Commissioner of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate, RDPR Department, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “Our 5,880 ‘Arivu Kendras’, spread across rural Karnataka, serve a large community, and this initiative will help them learn more about the night sky as well as recent astronomy news and discoveries. Promoting astronomy and science, especially in Kannada, will enhance science literacy, particularly among students who access our ‘Arivu Kendras’, and through them, foster scientific temperament in the rural community.”
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Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting, “Rural communities have a fantastic scientific resource—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.”
The COSMOS-Mysuru project is an upcoming state-of-the-art planetarium and data training centre in Mysuru, aimed at promoting astronomy education and research.
