Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 16 (EMN): A planetarium and innovation hub building, located opposite to the office of the Health the Family Welfare department in Kohima was inaugurated by the minister for Planning and Co-ordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu, on January 16.The building was constructed by the department of Science and Technology.
Speaking at the inauguration function, Kronu expressed confidence that the facility would enable the students to learn and know more about the universe and further motivate them to explore more in the field of Science. He has appreciated the work done by the contractor for timely completion of the project as per specification.
While assuring all possible assistance from the government, Kronu further urged the department of Science and Technology to play an important role in innovation and educate the students.
The building was inaugurated in the presence of Mmhonlumo Kikon, advisor of Science and Technology, IT&C, and New and Renewable Energy(NRE).
Also speaking on the occasion, Kikon stressed that Science and Technology are the keys for development adding that the state government is pursuing an agenda to mould and nurture to ensure that scientific minds are encouraged to find fun in learning. He also stated that the government has envisioned to set up a planetarium in all the districts of Nagaland. The planetarium in Kohima is the second to be set up in Nagaland after Dimapur.
Kikon exuded his belief that, ‘catching them young is key to encourage students to take up science and innovate’ so as to look beyond the common and normal obvious questions. He added that the ‘Innovation hub and planetarium’ is a step to encourage the young minds to explore the world and the universe.
He maintained that the Science Centre in Dimapur, which was inaugurated in 2018, is serving its purpose well as the students are availing the opportunity to expose themselves to cosmic sciences. He also stressed on the need to encourage the young minds to develop scientific temper so as to harness them as innovators and scientists, which he said is the key to develop the state at par with other countries.
Earlier delivering the opening address, the principal secretary of Science and Technology, OT Chingmak Chang said the planetarium would provide a unique opportunity to bring various aspects of astronomy by stimulating a dynamic sky environment. He stated that the ‘innovation hub’ would provide facilities to nurture new ideas and help develop inquisitive perspectives in youths of today which would serve as springboards for new ideas and innovation and help the society and economy to face future challenges and also meet rising aspirations of the growing population.
He informed that the innovation hub would house facilities like innovation resource centre and design studio; electrical and electronics lab; mechanical lab; biochemistry and physic lab; robotics section; hall of fame and idea lab so that the future of the students are guided.
Presenting a report on the project, senior scientific officer Kevitso Kenneth, informed that the building was funded under a negotiated loan from HUDCO with an amount of INR 4.95 crore and the site development cost INR 2.35 crore which was constructed by NT Angami and Co.
The planetarium with special education centre dome measures 8 metre in diameter would have a seating capacity of 50 persons. It would be furnished with a special digital projector that can in-corporate real images/ videos of cosmic events in the programme for immersive experience.
The department also informed that facilities for the planetarium and innovation hub are expected to be fully furnished and functional by this year where the visitors could explore the planetarium with a pay and entry system. It added that students have to register for membership for the innovation hub with minimal registration fee.