Number of visitors on a rise at Planetarium in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: The number of visitors to the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium (RSC) in Kozhikode is growing year by year, breaking records. In 2015-16 alone, the RSC received 5.3 lakh visitors compared to 4.8 lakh in 2013-14. Though a majority of the visitors are students, the number of public visitors are also increasing over the years. Out of the 5,35,066 visitors last year, over two lakh are from the general public. The variety of shows, updating of facilities and frequent activities which engage the public are the reasons behind the growth of visitors.

Speaking to DC, RSC director V.S. Ramachandran said that the participation of the public had doubled ten years ago. "During the 2003-04 period, out of the total visitors, 80 percent were students and only 20 percent were from the public. However, during the last year, 60 percent are students and 40 percent are the public. This doesn't mean the students participation is less, but public participation has increased significantly," he said.

As Kozhikode does not have a significant floating population, the repeat visitors are from the general public. "Getting students as visitors is a routine and planned thing, which will happen on a regular basis. In order to bring repeated visitors from the public, we need to create curiosity and retaining that curiosity is a challenge. That's how we started engaging in more and more activities and started changing the 3-D and planetarium shows every six months. When we have something new to offer every time, we will get repeat visitors," added Mr Ramachandran.

He added that co-operation from civic bodies and the administration were also helping the Planetarium to grow. Recently, the Kozhikode Corporation sponsored 10,000 students from city schools to visit the Centre and is planning to sponsor another 10,000 students. The RSC will also open the Ocean Gallery in April, which will showcase interactive exhibits, live aquaria, video displays, multimedia games and scenic recreations which explain the concepts of underwater phenomena. The Gallery would replace the present Human Endurance Gallery.