MP CM Mohan Yadav to open global meet on ‘Mahakal: The Master of Time’; Ujjain Science Centre to be inaugurated; will Ujjain–Dongla be established as a Global Meridian
MP Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the international conference ‘Mahakal: The Master of Time’ at the Planetarium Complex in Ujjain on Friday, April 3. He will also inaugurate the Ujjain Science Centre. The conference will be held from April 3 to 5 at the Dongla Digital Planetarium complex near Ujjain.
Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, and thinker-author Suresh Soni will also participate in the inaugural session.
The sacred city of Ujjain, revered as the abode of Baba Mahakal and the historic capital of Samrat Vikramaditya, has been a global centre for time calculation and astronomical research since ancient times.
Once again, scientists and researchers from across the world are gathering here for an intellectual exchange. Focused on the convergence of Indian knowledge traditions and modern space science, the conference will provide a common platform for scientists, astronomers, academicians, researchers, policymakers and space sector experts from India and abroad to present their research and ideas.
The newly constructed Ujjain Science Centre, built at a cost of over Rs 15 crore, features facilities such as a Gallery on Science, an Outdoor Science Park, an Innovation and Student Activity Hall, a heritage-themed gallery and an Exhibit Development Lab. These facilities will promote scientific thinking among students, researchers, and the general public.
Special workshops
The conference will also feature special workshops on UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), RC (Remote Control) technology, and satellite development. In addition, activities such as safe observation of sunspots, night sky observation through telescopes, student–teacher interactions, and training sessions on space technology will be organised to encourage technical skills, innovation, and interest in space science among youth.
The conference is being organised jointly by the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, the Indian Knowledge Tradition Cell (Ministry of Education, Government of India), and Vigyan Bharati. Co-organising institutions include the Indian National Science Academy, IIT Indore, Veer Bharat Nyas, and the Dattopant Thengadi Research Institute. Representatives from leading scientific institutions, such as ISRO, CSIR, DRDO, NITI Aayog and other national and international research organisations will participate in the event.
Discussion on Establishing Ujjain–Dongla as a Global Meridian
Dongla, situated approximately 35 kilometres from Ujjain, has been a significant centre of astronomy and astrology since ancient times. As the Tropic of Cancer passes through this region, it has historically been regarded as a pivotal location for timekeeping. The conference will also discuss the possibility of establishing Ujjain–Dongla as a global meridian. The state government is working towards restoring Ujjain’s status as a global “Time Scale Centre.”
Renowned scientists and academicians from India and abroad will present their views in the technical sessions. These include Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, Prof. Yasuhiro Hobara of the University of Tokyo, Dr. Nilesh Desai, Director of the Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director of the National Remote Sensing Centre, Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru and several other eminent scientists.