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Space museum next time

Organisers of space festival want to focus on astronomy but needs funding

BISHAWJIT DAS .
City dwellers a few days ago enjoyed a three-day space festival dedicated to the discovery and first flight of the aeroplane 'Kitty Hawk' by the Wright brothers .
"The objective of the festival was to motivate young talent and scholars in science and technology," said Mash-hu-rul Amin, president, Bangladesh Astronomical Association (BAA) organisers of the festival which was held on the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) campus on December 17,19 and 20.
"This year we concentrated on aviation as December 17 marked the centenary of flying by the Wright brothers," said Amin. The festival had a life-size replica of the 'Kitty Hawk'. In addition it exhibited a model of a space shuttle too.
BAA organises such festivals every three years. "We are hoping to build a space museum for the next festival. The focus would be on astronomy and are looking forward to inviting an astronomer then," informed the president.
"Our country does not have many opportunities to encourage children in science and its methods. Science fairs at school level are insufficient to motivate and feed the e-generation. Organisations like ours should initiate more science-oriented programmes," he added.
This festival attracted more crowds than the previous ones. Students of all ages enjoyed the exhibitions, flying demonstrations, competitions and plays that were part of the arrangement.
The BAA still felt the astronom-ical exhibitions were inadequate. "We concentrated more on aviation rather than astronomy. We lacked financial support. Only a handful of organisations are willing to support programmes of this nature," lamented Amin.
A cultural show, directed by Faiz Zahir of Arranyak Natyadal, titled "Life Infinity" focussing the evolution of life merged with science was well appreciated by the visitors.
Another attraction of the festi-
val was flying of remote control (RC) planes by amateurs, few of whom brought in different types of airplanes to exhibit their expertise.
Zaveer H. Khan, one amateur, launched a RC Flying Club and exhibited 30 different types of planes. "Flying is my hobby and I would like to encourage people in this field," he said. It was super-hit with not only children running round the planes but crows also joining them.
Some of the other exhibitions were the evolution of sun, evolution of life, busts of 14 great scientists of all times by sculptor Shanker Dhar.
Other interesting stalls, which captured the visitors' attention, included star finding, creations by BUET and Cox's Bazar Science Club students who also displayed on-line telescopes and gliding aeroplanes.
A seminar by Syed Akhtar on the history of aviation took place
on the opening day of the festival.
Paper plane-making competitions took place on the second and third day for school and college students. They were rewarded with a chance to circle over the capital on Singapore Airlines.
Ten-year-old Samir was noticed roaming around the festival wearing an astronaut's suit. He wants to be one when he grows up and BAA expects this sort of interest from the young.