KOZHIKODE: Opening up a new world to one of the most primitive and vanishing tribes in the state, the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium in the City arranged a series of programmes for the Cholanaikkans on Thursday.
A total of 56 people from the tribal group attended various planetarium shows and also a magic show by Magician Pradeep Hudino. The Cholanaikkans are one of the smallest indigenous groups in Kerala with a population of just 176 and 56 families, based in Karulai and Chungathara forest ranges in Nilambur.
The tribal group which included commoners as well as government employees, started from Nilambur at 8.45 am in a bus. The team members first visited the Calicut International Airport and then were taken to the Planetarium. The group was welcomed and shown around various facilities of the Science Centre by the Regional Science Centre Director V.S Ramachandran.
Another group watches a 3-D show. (Photo: DC)
After watching the magic show and science shows, the group was taken to Kozhikode Beach. The team will leave the City on Friday morning. “It was indeed a great opportunity for us to be here,” said one of the group members Mani.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Science Centre Director V.S Ramachandran said that the programme was aimed at bringing the tribal group into the mainstream by giving the members the experience of the outside world and also to give them a simple understanding about the universe.
Noted astronomer from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai Mayank N Vahia, who is conducting studies of tribal astronomy, was also present at the programme to understand the methods used by the Cholanaikkans to predict the weather.
