Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to bolster scientific temper and astronomical education in Odisha, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today at Lokseva Bhawan for the major upgradation and modernization of the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar. This strategic partnership between the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Odisha, and the Birla Industrial and Technology Museum (BITM), Kolkata, aims to transform the iconic institution into a world-class facility.
The agreement was formalized by Smt. Urmiprava Maharana, Director of Pathani Samanta Planetarium, and Sri Arnab Chatterjee, Director of BITM. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of high-ranking officials, Shri Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, and Smt. Chithra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary of the Science and Technology. Principal Secretary of Finance Shri Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra graced the occasion.
Named after the legendary Odia astronomer Maha Mahopadhyay Chandrasekhar Singh Harichandan Mahapatra Samanta, the planetarium has been a cornerstone of science popularization since its dedication to the public on January 8, 1990. The new modernization plan intends to introduce cutting-edge technology to enhance the immersive experience for visitors, particularly students, while also facilitating the establishment of new science centers across the state.
Currently, the facility offers educational shows in Odia, English, and Hindi, serving as a primary hub for astrophysics and space science in the region. The collaboration with BITM, a unit of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under the Ministry of Culture, is expected to bring technical expertise that will elevate the planetarium’s interactive exhibits to international standards.
The event was attended by several notable dignitaries, including MD of IDCO Shri D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy, Special Secretary of Planning and Convergence Shri Debendra Kumar Jena, and Additional Secretary of Science and Technology Smt. Sibani Mohanty, along with Smt. Puja Mishra and Smt. Bidyut Prava Rout. This initiative underscores the state government’s commitment to fostering scientific curiosity and providing modern educational infrastructure for the public.