Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium, India’s first LED dome planetarium in Mysuru, Karnataka

By R Anil Kumar

• The new COSMOS Planetarium in Mysuru brings the wonders of the universe closer to young minds: PM

• There were many great astronomers in India like Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Bhaskaracharya, and Nilakantha Somayaji; Advanced instruments and technology like today were not available at that time; Despite this, they made great discoveries and performed difficult calculations: PM

• Our government has opened up the space sector; This has created new avenues for private sector, providing Indian startups with the opportunity to showcase their potential: PM

Bengaluru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium, India’s first LED dome planetarium, in Mysuru, Karnataka on November 30, 2026. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister extended his greetings in Kannada, and expressed his delight at returning to Mysuru to dedicate the COSMOS Planetarium to the nation just months after inaugurating the Viveka Smaraka. Pointing out that while the Viveka Smaraka inspires introspection and spiritual pursuit, the COSMOS Planetarium directs our gaze skyward to unravel the mysteries of the vast universe, he emphasized the profound cultural message conveyed by both landmarks. “This is an example of the fact that in India, the traditions of spirituality and science have always moved forward together,” remarked PM Modi.

Recalling how ancient Indian ancestors minutely studied the skies, understood planetary and stellar movements, created calendars, and calculated solar and lunar eclipses, the Prime Minister highlighted the legacy of great Indian astronomers such as Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Bhaskaracharya, and Nilakantha Somayaji. “Advanced instruments and technology like today did not exist at that time; despite this, they made great discoveries and performed difficult calculations,” noted PM Modi.

Highlighting Mysuru’s rich tradition of fostering knowledge institutions, including the establishment of the University of Mysore under Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and the Wadiyar royal family’s pivotal role in laying the foundation of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru to empower generations of scholars, the Prime Minister noted that Mysuru is adding a new chapter to India’s scientific journey with the dedication of this state-of-the-art planetarium to the youth and citizens. Sharing that watching a show inside the LED dome was a wonderful experience in itself, he congratulated the nation on the milestone. “I felicitate the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, the University of Mysore, various departments of the government, and all the people associated with its construction,” affirmed PM Modi.

Tracing the evolution of India’s national motto from ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ to Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s addition of ‘Jai Vigyan’ and his own addition of ‘Jai Anusandhan’ guiding 21st-century India, the Prime Minister praised the enthusiastic participation of Indian youth when Mumbai hosted the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics last year and highlighted their stellar performance at this year’s edition in Vietnam. “Five students from India went to Vietnam; out of them, four won gold medals and one won a silver medal, which is a matter of pride for the entire country,” observed PM Modi.

Spotlighting the record-breaking achievements of young Indian students who won gold or silver medals across Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at this year’s International Olympiads, the Prime Minister emphasized that young Indians achieve extraordinary milestones whenever they are provided with learning resources, technology, tools, and institutional support. “This COSMOS Planetarium is now also going to help immensely in giving shape to their dreams,” affirmed PM Modi.

Emphasizing that no nation can afford to move slowly amid rapid global technological change, the Prime Minister detailed India’s unprecedented pace over the past decade in astronomy, astrophysics, and space exploration through new telescopes and landmark ISRO missions, including becoming the first country to land near the Moon’s South Pole with Chandrayaan-3 and launching India’s first space solar observatory, Aditya-L1. “Last year itself, India became the fourth country in the world to demonstrate the capability of docking and undocking in space,” noted PM Modi.

Pointing out that an Indian astronaut recently traveled to the International Space Station and conducted novel experiments during this period, the Prime Minister highlighted the strategic value of the mission’s findings. “The experience gained from this mission is also proving useful for our own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan,” observed PM Modi.

Highlighting the government’s decision to open the space sector to private participation, which has enabled Indian startups and youth to showcase their capabilities by launching private rockets, placing satellites into orbit, and undertaking unprecedented space ventures, the Prime Minister stated that this reflects the scientific approach of New India. “Where new discoveries are being encouraged, new technology is being developed, and new opportunities are being created for our youth,” asserted PM Modi.

Underscoring that India has always been guided by the mantra of ‘Humanity First’ and dedicated its space program to human welfare, the Prime Minister cited the ISRO-developed satellite communication system for fishermen. “With the help of this system, for the boats fitted with receivers, officials can deliver timely alerts to them during a storm and can also track their safe return to the shore,” noted PM Modi.

Detailing everyday applications of space technology such as the Real-Time Train Tracking System developed by Indian Railways and ISRO for checking live train locations and the use of satellite data alongside field inputs under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to estimate crop yields and settle farm insurance claims, the Prime Minister highlighted the dual impact of India’s space assets. “Today our satellites are touching the heights of space, and at the same time, they are being used to make the lives of people better on Earth,” observed PM Modi.

Emphasizing that the government’s guiding philosophy of ‘Science for Society’ drives its sustained push for research and innovation across the country, the Prime Minister noted that over one crore students have already benefited from more than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs nationwide. “In these labs, children are getting opportunities to work on their ideas, conduct new experiments, and innovate,” noted PM Modi.

Stating that advancing research requires giving students and scholars access to the world’s finest scientific literature, the Prime Minister highlighted the launch of ‘One Nation One Subscription’ to help domestic institutes access leading global journals alongside the creation of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. “Through this, we are helping the maximum number of universities to conduct new research,” asserted PM Modi.

Recalling last year’s launch of the one lakh crore rupee Research, Development, and Innovation Scheme to ensure sustained funding for domestic researchers, the Prime Minister highlighted the practical impact of the initiative. “This is helping in taking new technology out of the lab and reaching it to practical use,” observed PM Modi.

Concluding his address by stating that planetariums and science centers play a vital role in sparking youth curiosity within India’s burgeoning science and research ecosystem, the Prime Minister urged those associated with COSMOS to continuously invite school and college students from across the region and extended his best wishes for the journey ahead. “The children who come here to learn about the universe, it is possible that some of them may return here one day and tell us what new discoveries they have made about the universe, and this alone will be the biggest success of this COSMOS Planetarium,” remarked PM Modi.