स्ट्रोनॉमी सेशन अनुभव

Vatsalya Society is a not-for-profit organization (NPO) registered as charitable organisation under the Society Institution Registration Act 1958.  It has catered to orphaned and abandoned children, especially street children through its short-term and long-term program for 20 years. Today, Vatsalya has evolved into a full-fledged community school amidst Achrol village in Amer Tehsil of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Its charitable and welfare programs are mainly in the field of public health, child nutrition, women empowerment, climate change mitigation (especially Solar energy), and recently initiated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). 

Vision: To progress Indian society by enabling our disadvantaged people to achieve their true potential.  

Mission: By Direct action and intervention, provide a caring environment where our disadvantaged and vulnerable people can develop their capabilities with dignity. 

Vatsalya website – www.vatsalya.org 

Reach for the Stars: Igniting Dreams through Astronomy 

There is a vast, silent ocean above us, sparkling with countless secrets and endless wonders. For many children, this universe is a distant, abstract concept found only in books or on television screens. Yet, for the underprivileged children in our community, the stars often feel even further away, eclipsed by daily challenges and a lack of access to the tools that turn curiosity into discovery.  

Aperture Telescopes organised a session for introducing astronomy concepts to the children of Vatsalya. This initiative delivered a valuable experience without any financial burden on the attendees. We gathered not just to talk about planets and stars, but to bridge that gap, bringing the cosmos a little closer to home and opening a window to infinite possibilities. 

The study of astronomy is the study of curiosity itself. It is about asking “why?” and “how?” When a child looks through a telescope for the first time and sees the craters of the moon or the rings of Saturn, a spark is ignited. That moment demystifies the universe and, more importantly, inspires a sense of wonder that challenges them to look beyond their immediate circumstances. 

For children who face socio-economic barriers, access to science education is often limited. Opportunities to visit observatories, engage in hands-on activities are rare. This small event aims to change that narrative in the very least, with the children of Vatsalya. By introducing astronomy, we may be able to plant a seed of ambition. We are showing these young minds that the skills needed to understand the universe observation, analysis, and perseverance, are the same skills they can apply to their own lives and futures.  

The true magic of astronomy lies in its power to provide a perspective. When we understand our place in the vastness of the universe, our perceived limitations often shrink. Children learn that they are part of something immense and beautiful, and that they, too, can contribute to humanity’s ongoing journey of exploration and discovery. 

Ajay Talwar 

Aperture Telescopes