March 1 – 4, 2010

            Professor Jayant V. Narlikar, Professor Emeritus, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, visited Mauritius from March 1 – 4, 2010 at the invitation of the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Mauritius (RGSC). Professor Narlikar gave the 3rd Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture at RGSC on March 2, 2010. He spoke on the topic, ‘the Amazing World of Astronomy.’ The lecture was well attended. The lecture was held to mark the significance of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and to deliver the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture, an annual feature at RGSC initiated in 2007.

2. Prof. Narlikar spoke at seminar on “Modern Developments in Astronomy” at RGSC on March 3, 2010. He spoke on the topic – Search for Micro-life in the Universe- elucidating his experiments as the head of a team of Indian scientists exploring the possibilities of extra-terrestrial life by sampling microbial life at an altitude of 41 km from the earth’s surface. Academics from the University of Mauritius and representatives of the Mauritius Radio Telescope and the Mauritius Astronomical Society delivered talks on themes like Radio Astronomy, Jupiter, Saturn and their moons, VLBI Network and Mauritius Callisto Spectrograph.         

3. Professor Jayant V. Narlikar called on the Minister for Industry, Science and Research Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool on March 1, 2010. On March 4, 2010 Prof. Narlikar, called on Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam. He visited Aapravasi Ghat and SSR Botanic Gardens also.

4. Professor Narlikar’s visit to Mauritius was aimed at increasing public awareness on astronomy and to give students an opportunity to learn more about modern developments in astronomy.