Astronomy Observatory And Laboratory Set Up By Henkel India In Pune
Umang Bafna
Pune, 26th February 2022: Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Private Limited, in collaboration with Global Mission Astronomy India and Lions Clubs International District 3234 D2, unveiled India’s largest school-level Astronomy Observatory and Laboratory for students at Maharshi Karve Stree-Shikshan Sanstha (MKSS), Pune.
Dr Nitin Karmalkar, Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), and Dr Prasad Khandagale of Henkel India jointly inaugurated the Astronomy Observatory and Laboratory.
Dr Kashinath Deodhar (Ex. DRDO), Dr Jayant Naralikar, Sr. Astrophysicist, and Dr Roopesh Ojha, Astrophysicist, Director NASA USA were among the other luminaries that joined remotely. Ravindra Dev, President MKSS, and Lion Hemant Naik, District Governor Lions Club 3234 D2, were also present.
“Through the Astronomy Observatory and Laboratory, we will generate interest among the children and will help them gain knowledge right from the school level. Thereby, setting up a breeding ground for future scientists and astronomers from India,” said Dr Prasad Khandagale, CSR Committee Member of Henkel India.
Henkel has already helped set up astronomy observatories in Jejuri, Bhor, Talegaon Dhamdhere and Shirgaon. The Astronomy Observatory and Laboratory in MKSS is the sixth one.
Students from all of these institutions will participate in NASA’s asteroid search mission thanks to a collaboration with the Global Mission Astronomy Institute in India, which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with research institutes in the United States and Spain. Along with Japan, Australia, and other worldwide research institutions, the students will have the opportunity to participate in the history of asteroid exploration. Currently, ten thousand students are studying space research in these labs.
