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Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Stargazing since 1954: New English School's planetarium lights up young minds across generations
At the heart of Pune's Sadashiv Peth, tucked inside the historic New English School, lies a dome that has transported thousands of children to distant stars and galaxies for decades. This isn't a modern digital marvel, but one of India's oldest operational planetariums — the Kusumbai Motichand Planetarium — still running shows on its original Spitz A1 projector, a rare and elegant relic of 1950s space education. Established in 1880 by the Deccan Education Society, New English School has long been associated with pioneering education. But in 1954, it added something rare to its academic arsenal: Asia's first projection planetarium. Housed within the school's Y-shaped building, the dome — just 9 metres across — may seem modest by modern standards. But what it offers is anything but ordinary. 'It's not just a science tool. It's a bridge between heritage and hands-on learning,' said Vinayak Ramdasi, the school's science educator who has been nurturing the planetarium's revival since 2012. 'Every session here sparks something new — questions, wonder, and curiosity.' The Spitz A1 projector, designed by American engineer Armand Spitz with advice from Albert Einstein, was built for affordability and educational access. The version at New English School is possibly the only one in the world still being used for regular shows. Repaired and upgraded over the years — with new motors, bulbs, and mechanisms to include zodiac constellations — the projector continues to charm students with the sky as it looked, and will look, across space and time. A unique feature of the planetarium is its ability to recreate the night sky from any time and location. When astronaut Rakesh Sharma visited the school in 2017, Ramdasi recreated the sky above Russia at the exact moment of his historic launch. 'It brought a big smile to his face. That's what this place does — it connects personal moments with the cosmos,' he said. The school's astronomy programme goes far beyond the dome. Through regular night sky observation camps, hands-on research, and a unique daily series — Roj Ek Prashna Khagolshastracha (A question on astronomy every day) — students from Class 7 to Class 9 immerse themselves in astronomy like few others in India. The initiative to start quiz series was inspired from Jayant Narlikar, astrophysicist who passed away earlier this week. Over the past seven years, the daily question initiative has sparked more than 2,400 astronomy-related discussions in classrooms. 'We do solar observations, measure Earth's circumference through shadow experiments, track planets, and even identify deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Crab Nebula,' Ramdasi said. 'And we don't just teach it — students learn to operate telescopes, align them, calibrate them, and locate celestial bodies independently.' On Friday and Saturday nights, the schoolgrounds turn into a bustling astronomy hub with nearly 200 students participating in observation sessions. More than 1,000 shows have been conducted since 2010, reaching over 40,000 students. Some shows are even held at dark-sky sites around Pune, free from city lights, for deeper sky experiences. Parents often tell Ramdasi how their children, usually asleep by 8pm, stay up wide-eyed and alert during the camps. 'It's incredible to see how science can ignite such enthusiasm,' he said. 'Our school is not just preserving India's history—we're creating it! We have an incredible planetarium, designed in the spirit of Albert Einstein's vision, and it's the only functional one within a school. I began this course in Class 8, and within just a year, I've developed observational skills to study planets and stars,' said Arnav Khaparde of Class 9. Students get to travel to a clear, unpolluted area near Pune — one of the highlights of the annual astronomy camp conducted in November. Under the night sky, they gain scientific knowledge that excites and inspires them. 'I still remember the first time I saw a planet through the telescope. It felt like it wasn't far away at all, as if we had become one. That magical moment made me realise I want to pursue a career in astronomy,' Arnav said. Support from scientists like Vijay Bhatkar, Arvind Gupta, Govind Swarup, and Jayant Narlikar has helped keep the programme rooted in inquiry. 'Asking questions,' Narlikar once said, 'is the true foundation of science.' At a time when digital planetariums are becoming the norm, the enduring legacy of New English School's dome and its simple mechanical wonder stands as a quiet but powerful reminder that science, when taught with passion and curiosity, needs only a clear sky and a curious mind to thrive.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Maharashtra SSC results: How the toppers prepared, what they want to pursue
By Alister Augustine and Ashutosh Sahoo The Maharashtra State Board SSC 2024-25 results have brought many inspiring stories from students across the city, highlighting the power of consistent effort, self-study and support from schools and families. Raavi Namjoshi from New English School scored a perfect 100% in the SSC exams. Speaking about her achievement, Raavi said, 'I really wasn't expecting to get a hundred percent! I thought I'd do well, but this came as a big surprise. I had prepared thoroughly, but you always think something might go wrong. I think the key was consistency — I didn't overdo anything. My parents never pressured me; they just supported me at every step. I could watch TV, take breaks, and do what I liked. That balance kept me motivated. I love science, especially understanding how things work, so I'm planning to take the science stream, and if I continue enjoying it, maybe I'll go into pure science in the future.' Her father shared his pride, saying, 'Raavi has been studying on her own, sincerely, for the past year. We chose not to put her in any coaching classes. It was her mother and her teachers who were her biggest guides. We believe that early education in one's mother tongue lays the strongest foundation. Later, one can learn many other languages. But most of all, we let her be. We didn't restrict her from watching movies or playing. This result is hers alone — a product of her dedication.' In Chinchwad, 15-year-old Atharva Ashish from St Andrew's High School scored 95.80% to become the school topper. Atharva said, 'It felt amazing when I saw my name up there on the toppers board. That moment made everything worth it. I studied completely from home, no extra classes, just self-study and guidance from my parents. They helped me stay focused without putting pressure. My favourite subject is Maths. I love solving problems and I have scored highest in it by 98 out of 100. I want to pursue science, and my dream is to become a space scientist.' At St Joseph High School in Ghorpadi, 16-year-old Nafeesathul Misiriya topped with 92.80%. She said, 'I'm so, so happy — I really can't describe it in words. It was a tough year with so much competition, and I didn't go for any tuition or classes. I studied entirely from home, using textbooks, online resources, and by planning my time well. My parents were always encouraging. I want to become a software engineer. I love how coding works, and how technology is shaping our lives. English is my favorite subject because I enjoy reading and writing. Painting is my biggest hobby and I even scored 5 extra marks because I cleared both elementary and intermediate drawing exams. That really boosted my score too.' At the Rajarshi Shahu Vidya Mandir in Ambegaon Budruk, Sai Ashish Shitole topped the school with 97%, including a score of 100 out of 100 in Sanskrit.
