Every district to get a science centre, says Seetharam

The state government's aim is to establish a science centre in every district, said Science and Technology Minister M R Seetharam.

He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Swami Vivekananda 3D planetarium at Dr Shivarama Karanta Pilikula Nisargadhama here on Thursday.

"The state government's department of science and technology has laid thrust upon developing scientific temper among the youth. Towards this direction, the department has proposed to construct sub-regional science centres and planetariums in various districts, including those in Hyderabad-Karnataka. These centres would help to build a scientific mindset among the students," he said.

Regional science centres have already been operational in Mangaluru and Dharwad. The Mysuru Regional Science Centre is in the phase of construction. Sub-regional science centres are operating in Bidar, Bellary, Raichur and Karwar. Similar centres will come up in Chikkaballapur, Koppal, Haveri, Bagalkot, Davanagere and Gadag. Proposals are being prepared towards the establishment of science centres in Madya, Kolar, Chitradurga. Work on a planetarium in Hubballi, taken up at a cost of Rs 22 crore, is in the final phase. Five mobile planetariums are moving across the state and seven more would be launched in the days to come .