Camps to bring science closer to common man

Varaha Mihira derives its name from the Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer who lived in Ujjain. Started in August last year with a series of lectures for a small group of audience, the forum is conducting events for the summer. 

The events include a workshop on science experiments for children in classes 4 to 8, and a five-day session for those in classes 6 to 12. It will touch upon the history and geography of astronomy. 

The events have been curated to kindle a passion for the subject, apart from expanding the horizons of their understanding while touching upon mathematics and science in perspective with Sanskrit. 

The initiative was started by a group of like-minded individuals, Rangarathnam Gopu, a freelance writer-blogger and retired software engineer who is also deeply passionate about science; Mohan K, a retired chemistry teacher who is the chairman of Gandhi Study Centre, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya; and Rajagopalan Venkatraman who has close to 24 years of experience in IT and is into education technology startups. 

Talking to DTNext, Gopu says that the lectures and events are being organised for an informal group with a passion for the subject. “So far, we have parents, students and science enthusiasts. There are a number of events taking place in different areas. But for science, there is not much except for what is happening at IIT. But IIT can be frightening for the common man,” he says. 

The forum has had sessions with people like KRA Narasaiah, a retired marine engineer and writer, who spoke about his experiences in the field to lecturers. Gopu says,” Anyone from professionals and amateurs with an interest in the science can deliver these lecturers.”