Nirmala Sitharaman Lays Foundation of Mini Planetarium in Ladakh
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation stone for a Mini Planetarium and Astro Globe at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in the Changthang region of Ladakh. This initiative, part of the Special Development Package (SDP), has a project cost of ₹276.65 lakh and aims to promote scientific education, astro-tourism, and local employment.
Located in one of the world’s best night-sky regions, the Hanle facility is already home to the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Telescope, which is operated by BARC. During her visit, Sitharaman was briefed by Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), and Dr. KK Yadav from BARC about the telescope’s scientific contributions and future expansion plans.
Sitharaman described the project as a “symbol of collaboration between science and society.” She praised the IIA and the local community, emphasizing that the new facilities will inspire curiosity in astrophysics among the public, particularly students, by providing hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for night sky observation.
Her visit also included interactions with Anganwadi workers, contractors, and BJP members from the Nyoma region. In Rongo, she met with pashmina goat and yak herders, primarily women, and distributed goat-shearing machines to support their livelihoods.
In a major CSR initiative, Sitharaman presented a ₹50 lakh cheque to Nyoma nomads under SBI’s Corporate Social Responsibility program. The funds will help construct 16 large community tents, each capable of housing 30 herders — a vital facility during seasonal nomadic migrations.
As part of the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, the minister interacted with campaign beneficiaries. The Departments of Sheep and Animal Husbandry and S&TW conducted live demonstrations showcasing nomadic culture, including a mobile Anganwadi center and millet-based food prepared by local women.
Sitharaman was accompanied by several top officials, including Vikram Singh Malik, Shashanka Ala, Sajjad Mufti, Santosh Sukhdeve, and SSP Shruti Arora, as well as scientists from the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle.
