Space Eco-Literacy Campaign launched

SELC 2011 aims at informing students, youth and public about the achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) during the past 40 years.

Speaking to City Herald, SELC co-ordinator Prof V Jagannatha said that ISRO is saving the country Rs 40,00 crore annually due to its space and communication programmes.

With increasing importance being stressed on environment, the campaign is trying to identify the challenges to make science technology and especially the space segment more pro people and pro environment.

The eight-week programme is being conducted under the patronage of former ISRO chairman Prof U R Rao, International Space University President Micheal K Simpson, Space Security Foundation’s Prof Ray Williamson, Dr Juan De Dalmau and astronauts including Dr So Yen of Korea and Dr Jean Jacques of France.

The programme will be held on every Sunday one hour reserved for sky watching at the Physics Department of University of Mysore. Youth and Public will have a rare opportunity to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and knowledge of Space Sciences. Each batch will have around 30 students.

Prof Jagannath said that prior to undertaking SELC, People Science Forum has also successfully held a eco-literacy campaign for 321 weeks from 2000 to 2010, in the environs of Kukkarahalli Lake. Over 300 volunteers contributed more than  4,500 man-hours and spreading eco literacy. Socially concerned Gandhian Prof B R Pranesh Rao, Popular Science teachers Prof G T Narayana Rao and literacy luminaries Prof C D Narasimahiah provided the required confidence to successfully implement the eco literacy campaign, he added. For details on SELC, contact Prof Jagannath on 94480 50595.