When was the last time you looked up into the night sky and marvelled at the beauty of the universe! For millennials, summer evenings were a time for family gatherings, followed by nights spent at their terrace, gazing at the numerous stars, imagining the space beyond human existence. However, rapid urbanisation and new comforts have confined people to the four walls, making them unaware of the magic of napping under a starry canopy. To revive this long-lost activity, particularly for youngsters and bring them closer to the science of the natural world, Tirupati’s All India Radio (AIR) and Regional Science Centre (RSC) have teamed up for organising a live interactive programme - ‘Randi, Chusoddam...Taramandalam’, roughly translated as ‘Come, let us view the constellations’!
The programme, envisaged to evoke a ‘spirit of inquiry’ among youngsters and adults alike, is held once a month i.e., a few days before or on the New Moon Day (Amavasya) at the RSC premises. The dates are selected based on weather conditions and other factors to offer a better viewing experience for the participants. “Science has gradually evolved from observing the nature and both are inextricably linked to each other. Our effort is to kindle the spark among youngsters, so that they pursue science with more enthusiasm. The idea for this programme was conceived during the ‘National Technology Day’ on May 11 and was formally designed on May 17,” said AIR Tirupati Station Director Nagasuri Venugopal.
Tremendous response
Speaking to The Hindu, Dr. Venugopal said there was a tremendous response for the maiden episode with more than 50 people, children and parents included, arriving at the venue from various parts of Chittoor and neighbouring districts. With the live commentary going beyond the allotted time, AIR officials recorded the same and relayed the continuation of the episode on the very next day.
Interactive session
“We also had an interactive session at the studio with a panel of experts answering the questions posed by the listeners. Before the main event, we also scripted a small curtain raiser, a capsule of information, with voices of students and experts on certain questions raised by the former, to generate interest among the listeners,” he added. The officials are further planning to iron out some chinks in the conduct of the programme, including scouting for new places for stargazing, and how well to utilise the resources at the RSC and AIR. Details of the upcoming programme can be viewed at AIR’s Facebook account - ‘Akashvani Tirupati Chittoor Dt.’ or in news dailies.
Source & Credit:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/reviving-the-long-lost-activity-of-stargazing/article18704027.ece
Source & Credit:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/reviving-the-long-lost-activity-of-stargazing/article18704027.ece