SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCES CONFERENCE

Nathdwara, Rajasthan, 12th May 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to inaugurate the National Astronomical Sciences Conference in Nathdwara, known for the temple of Lord Srinathji, which is visited by millions of devotees every year. I understand that this Conference is being attended by a number of experts, including those from astronomical and meteorological centres around India, experts from the non-government sector, those working on climate change, as also from the Sanskrit Vidyapeeth.

Astronomy is an ancient discipline of science that deals with the physical nature, motions and evolution of celestial objects, as well as the origin and evolution of the Universe. Systematic observations of the positions of celestial bodies and occurrences of celestial phenomenon were recorded by early civilizations including India. The knowledge gained through these observations was used for purposes like time keeping, navigation and eclipses. However, it was only after the invention of the telescope in the 17th Century, that astronomy developed into a modern science.

While astronomers have been adding to the bank of knowledge through the ages, one must not forget that these individuals also had the courage to think against conventional wisdom of the times, and were firm in their convictions. During my State Visit to Poland in 2009, I had the opportunity to visit the Jagiellonian University in the city of Krakow. There I was told about the well known astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus who studied there. He propounded the heliocentric model, which states that the planets revolve around the Sun, and not as thought during his times in the 16th Century, that the Sun and the planets revolved around the Earth. His work stimulated further scientific investigations, becoming one of the important landmarks in astronomy. However for his beliefs, Copernicus had to face the wrath of authorities during his lifetime.

The same was the case with the Italian astronomer and inventor of the telescope, Galileo who also supported the heliocentric model. He met with great opposition from a number of quarters. But he continued unperturbed on his mission of discovery, which was best summed up by him when he said, "All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." The telescope allowed the human eye to see heavenly bodies for the first time and thus furthering their study. Another field of study which looks at the movement of heavenly bodies is astrology, which studies their influence on human beings.

In the Rig Veda there was speculation about the genesis of the Universe from non-existence to its configuration. The Panchasiddhantika of Varahamihira, which was written in 505 A.D., approximates the method for determination of the meridian direction from any three positions of the shadow, using a Gnomon. By the time of Aryabhatta in the later years of the fifth Century to the first half of the sixth Century A.D., the motion of planets was treated elliptical by our astronomers, rather than circular. Brahmagupta provided information related to the computation of eclipses, and his works introduced the Indian concept of mathematics based astronomy into the Arab World. This tradition of study of the heavenly bodies was not lost through the ages. In Rajasthan itself, the work of Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh, his other observatories and the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur in the 18th Century cannot be forgotten.

Modern astronomy in India is attributed to the establishment of the Madras Observatory in 1786, which grew to be one of the principle institutions working on the fundamental positions of planets. In the early decades of the 20th Century Professors Meghnad Saha and S. Chandrasekhar became famous. Professor Saha derived an equation named after him, which allows observational information from stars to be used to determine the physical and chemical nature of their gas. Professor Chandrasekhar worked on the theory of white dwarf stars and introduced the concept of the Chandrasekhar Limit. These fundamental contributions are central to the development of astrophysics even in the 21st Century.

In the 1940s, experimental activity in the frontier area of cosmic rays began in India. Our space programme was fortunate to be led by men of vision, such as Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Professor Satish Dhawan. The programme in its formative years itself, began to make strides. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) during this period, began to demonstrate its capability to build state-of-the-art remote sensing and communications satellites. Next year ISRO will be launching ASTROSAT, which is the first Indian satellite fully dedicated to astronomy.

Apart from use of satellites in space purely for purposes of astronomy, today there is a need to further use these platforms to help our growing economy. There will be need for better management of our resources, whether they are land, water or minerals. Remote sensing applications for such purposes will be very important. The role of observation systems in space and development of latest technology, as well as weather prediction systems will become of greater importance in the years ahead, as we work to ensure our food security. In this situation, managing the environment and taking care of, and mitigating the impact of climate change, will be some of our most important challenges. Our disaster warning and response capabilities will have to be upto the mark. Their readiness will have a direct impact on the people and their ability to maintain their livelihood.

Today, our space scientists are actively exploring the possibilities of collaborating with the international community of astronomers, to further the study of the Universe. In a knowledge based society and economy, we must devote time, energy and resources for advanced learning. Several of our renowned institutes engaged in research in astronomy and astrophysics, I am sure shall take up this challenge. Our long and rich tradition of research in both theoretical astrophysics and observational astronomy, can enhance India's global presence in the subject area, and make significant contributions to astronomy.

I once again convey my best wishes to the organizers of this Conference. I am sure that the discussions and exchange of ideas here will help in the advancement of astronomical sciences in India.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!