- Prime Minister inaugurates the state-of-the-art ‘Cosmos’ Planetarium in Mysuru; highlights India’s ancient scientific traditions and achievements in the space sector.
Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India is consistently achieving new milestones in the fields of science and technology. In this context, the establishment of the state-of-the-art ‘Cosmos’ Planetarium in Mysuru will add a new chapter to the nation’s scientific journey. He made these remarks on Friday after inaugurating the ‘Cosmos’ Planetarium, built at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, Karnataka.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister spoke about India’s ancient scientific heritage, current achievements in the space sector, and the innovations driven by young scientists. He noted that great astronomers like Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Bhaskaracharya, and Nilakantha Somayaji made significant discoveries despite having limited resources and technical facilities. Through complex calculations, they made invaluable contributions to the field of science.
Prime Minister Modi mentioned that the government has opened up the country’s space sector to private participation. This has created new possibilities for the private sector and provided Indian startups with an opportunity to showcase their potential. Today, a large number of young people are active in the fields of science and technology; young scientists are launching rockets and setting new benchmarks in innovation.
He remarked that technology is rapidly transforming the world. For instance, people can now easily track the location of a train and determine when it will arrive at a station. The participation of the youth in such scientific and technological advancements is of utmost importance.
Expressing his delight at visiting Mysuru, the Prime Minister recalled that he had the opportunity to visit the city a few months ago for the inauguration of the Swami Vivekananda Memorial. During his address, he also paid tribute to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the revered deity of Karnataka. While congratulating everyone who contributed to the creation of the Cosmos Planetarium, the Prime Minister also acknowledged the role of the royal family of Mysuru. He noted that the family of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar has made a significant contribution to the advancement of education and research by encouraging students and researchers. Mysuru has consistently fostered scientific and academic pursuits.
Following the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi watched an introductory video about the Cosmos Planetarium. He also viewed special exhibitions focused on astronomy, space, and the history of Mysuru, and learned more about them.
The World’s First 15-Degree Tilted LED Planetarium
The Cosmos Planetarium in Mysuru is the world’s first planetarium to feature a 15-degree tilted LED dome. It was constructed by the University of Mysore on the premises of the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Centre for Higher Studies, spanning an area of 3.5 acres. The project was completed at a cost of approximately ₹115 crore.
Another notable feature of the planetarium is the artistic incorporation of the name ‘Mysuru’—rendered using characters from the Kannada, English, and Hindi scripts. Developed with state-of-the-art technology, the centre aims to raise awareness about astronomy and space among the public, particularly students and the youth.
