Tura, March 1: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma today announced that the government would establish a digital planetarium on the Tura campus of North Eastern Hill University (Nehu), in partnership with the university.
He made the announcement while addressing the gathering during the observance of National Science Day in the presence of former Gauhati University vice-chancellor O.K. Medhi, Nehu vice-chancellor S.K. Srivastava, Tura campus in-charge G. Singaiah, West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi and a host of academicians and students.
"The digital planetarium, among other positive stories, would itself be a reason for a number of people to visit the place," he said, elated with the new project. He also announced that a college of architecture and urban planning and design would be set up in Tura. Stating that agriculture would always be the "on" thing, Mukul said he was happy that both the departments of rural development and agricultural production and horticulture are there on the Tura campus and called upon the university to collaborate with the government to optimally leverage upon the huge infrastructure in Nehu for the benefit of the people.
He also spoke of the government's initiative of organic plantation of agar and bamboo in the state using a scientific approach, which would not only bring remunerative returns to the farmers but also help address the adverse effects of climate change. "Amazing opportunities can be created when we blend scientific knowledge with what is around us," he said.
He suggested that the university conduct extensive research on various families of citruses and on the number of untapped herbs in the region since Nokrek biosphere is known as the gene bank of citruses, and Balpakram is home to a number of medicinal herbs.
The chief minister also highlighted a scientific finding that polluted environment could lead to mental health problems and even unborn babies, when subjected to such an environment, could grow up to be delinquents. He said a simple scientific solution to overcrowding in urban centres was to create opportunities for the people in their own backyards and make towns and villages liveable, adding that policymakers, in particular, should connect themselves to science so that they are able to plan in the best interest of the people.
The chief minister, while visiting the exhibition stalls put up by various institutions, stated that Tura Public School and the Central Agricultural University, Tura, would each be given an identified village to be adopted so that they can utilise their knowledge gained for development of those villages.
Professor Medhi, in his address as the guest of honour, said people of the Northeast were mostly good in music, drama and arts, but lagging behind in science and stressed the need to attract good students to take up science. He also said the university can act as a catalyst of change and bring solution to a lot of local problems.
Professor Srivastava said he was happy to partner with the government in the endeavour to establish a digital planetarium and also ensure that the Tura campus gets its due importance. He also stressed the need to inculcate a scientific temper beyond university campuses and institutions.
