Bhubaneswar, 15.01.2026 : A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the major upgradation, development and modernization of the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar. This aims to create a world-class facility with enhanced astronomy education and new science centers across Odisha benefiting the Students and the public.
The MoU was signed between the Department of Science & Technology and Birla Industrial & Technology Museum (BITM), Kolkata, a unit of National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under Ministry of Culture today at Lokseva Bhawan.
This was signed between the Smt. Urmiprava Maharana, Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium and Sri Arnab Chatterjee, the Director, BITM in the presence of Shri Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and Smt Chithra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary of Science and Technology Department. Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar under the Department of Science and Technology plays a pivotal role for popularizing science, astronomy, astrophysics and space science in general.
Named after the legendary astronomer of Odisha, Maha Mahopadhyay Chandrasekhar Singh Harichandan Mahapatra Samanta, popularly known as Pathani Samanta, it was dedicated to the public on 8th January 1990.
Since its inauguration, the planetarium has increased its activities manifold and has enhanced a scientific curiosity across the state. Presently, Pathani Samanta Planetarium presents shows in three different languages like Odia, English and Hindi daily except Monday.
Principal Secretary of Finance Department Shri Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, MD, IDCO Shri D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy, Special Secretary of Planning and Convergence Shri Debendra Kumar Jena, Additional Secretary of Science & Technology Smt Sibani Mohanty, Smt Puja Mishra, Smt Bidyut Prava Rout among others were present.
