Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is planning to establish a satellite launch centre in the state and has initiated discussions with the Centre in this regard, Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said on Monday.
Speaking at a National Space Day celebration organised at the Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC) here, Patra said preliminary discussions had been held with the Central Government over setting up the facility. He added that the issue was also discussed with the Union Minister during his recent visit to New Delhi.
The minister said the state government was giving priority to scientific research and technology-driven projects while also working to foster scientific curiosity among students.
“Through ORSAC, the state is getting valuable data on agricultural land, groundwater and mineral resources, including their availability,” Patra said, adding that such data was helping the government save revenue in several areas.
He said it was encouraging that startups from Odisha were developing technological products such as drones that are being used in the country’s defence system.
Patra expressed hope that scientists and innovators from Odisha would continue to work in emerging areas of science and technology and contribute to the development of the state and the country.
The minister also spoke about plans for the construction of a ‘Science Bhawan’, a new building for ORSAC and a GIS laboratory in the state.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Science and Technology Department, Chithra Arumugam, said Odisha had made considerable progress in the field of science and technology.
She said science centres and planetariums had been established in Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Ganjam, Balangir and Rourkela, and urged students to visit these facilities to learn more about space and planets.
“Students should remain curious and develop an interest in every subject,” she said.
CSIR Professor Shishir Panda, who attended the event as the keynote speaker, urged students to remain focused on their goals and work towards achieving them. He also shared his experiences with the students.
ORSAC Chief Executive Officer Rashmita Panda delivered the welcome address and spoke about the activities and functioning of the organisation.
During the programme, an atlas on groundwater conservation, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the ORSAC Education Intern Portal and an ORSAC project booklet were released.
Students who performed well in school-level competitions were felicitated at the event. An exhibition showcasing various scientific and technological initiatives was also organised, while several startups were felicitated for their contributions.
Senior officials of the Science and Technology Department, scientists, educationists and students were present at the programme.
