Nashik to have a planetarium

NASIK, MARCH 13: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, while reminiscing the contribution of Maharashtra's Chief Minister Y B Chav...

NASIK, MARCH 13: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, while reminiscing the contribution of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Y B Chavan, said that Chavan always focussed on the development of the rural sector and in today’s times, Information Technology is the only sector which can ensure speedy rural development.

Deshmukh was speaking as a chief guest on Sunday at the bhoomi poojan ceremony of the proposed Yashwantrao Chavan Planetarium project. Mumbai Nehru Planetarium president and Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar was also present on the occasion.

Deshmukh said that Information Technology is the need of the times and attempts will be made to join all districts of the state by internet. Work will also be undertaken to join village secretariats and cooperative societies, he said.

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He lauded the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) for proposing the planetarium venture and said that Chavan always had this dream for the rural people. Deshmukh reminded the audience that it was Chavan who had brought the Dalits, rural people and minorities into the national mainstream.

Pawar said that about nearly twenty lakh people have visited the Nehru Planetarium at Worli in Mumbai. The planetarium in Nashik will be an attempt to access scientific knowledge in the rural areas.

The planetarium will cost the NMC nearly Rs 3.5 crore and will be completed within two years. An estimated 50 lakh people from Nashik and North Maharashtra will be benefitted by it.

Nashik district guardian minister Swarupsing Naik, health minister Digvijay Khanvilkar, higher education and technology minister Dilip Valse Patil, Nashik Mayor Dr S Bachav and others were present on the occasion.