Karnataka: Schooled in the celestial, gram panchayat librarians get bigger job scope

Shivamogga: The Shivamogga Zilla Panchayat (ZP) has taken an innovative step in nurturing scientific temper among the people through the successful launch of the ‘Naanu Vignaani’ (I am scientist ) science and astronomy workshop for gram panchayat (GP) librarians.

This initiative is said to be the first of its kind in the state. As many as 80 librarians have already been trained on methods of preparing telescopes, observation of planets and stars and other aspects.

The main objective of this initiative is to instil scientific temper in the minds of rural children and help them take up scientific research in future. 

The ZP aims to eradicate superstitious beliefs from the minds of rural people through the initiative, a brainchild of its chief executive officer N Hemanth.

Hemanth told DH,”We want to transform rural knowledge centres into vibrant hubs of science learning. GP librarians have been entrusted with the responsibility of turning theory into real-world exploration after the training. The first batch of librarians have been trained and the response from students has been good. The workshop turned thnem into ambassadors of science in addition to being custodians of books. 

Sabeena, the librarian of Agasavalli GP, who attended the workshop, told DH “We were literally taught how the telescope must be prepared step by step by experts and how to view planets through them. The knowledge we gained in the workshop will be used to educate people in the villages”.

She said the librarians would now take the telescopes they prepared in the workshop to their respective libraries.

“They will share the knowledge of planets, stars and their significance to rural people in general and students in particular. There are many myths related to eclipse among rural people. We will leave no stone unturned to educate rural people on why they shouldn’t believe in myths”.

Shivamogga district has 262 GPs, the third highest in the state.