3-month Gagarin Science Fest begins today

(From left) Alexander P Demin, director of Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC), Moshhurul Amin, general secretary of Bangladesh Astronomical Association, and Saumen Hazra, chairman of the National Committee of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, address a press conference at RCSC in the capital yesterday to announce the three-month-long Gagarin Science Fest that starts in the centre today.Photo: STAR

Speakers at a press conference yesterday said the country cannot move forward without more knowledge and development in the sphere of science.
Crafting more scientific minds through creating more interest in science subjects is vital for this progress, they added.
The press conference was held to announce the three-month-long Gagarin Science Fest to be held at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC) in Dhaka, starting today.
Bangladesh Astronomical Association and RCSC, who are jointly organising the programme in association with the Theoretical Physics Department of Dhaka University and The Daily Star, called the press briefing at the centre yesterday.
The festival will include workshops on subjects ranging from the solar system to the black holes to the future of the universe, a drawing competition for children, a photography exhibition and a sky observation camp.
It will also include a School Astro Olympiad, the winners of which will get to participate in the International Asia Pacific Astronomy Olympiad to be held in Cox's Bazar this November.
The programme will set off today with a workshop on the theory of the creation of the universe conducted by Dr Ali Asgar, president of Bangladesh Physical Society.
“The festival aims to develop interests in science and astronomy among children,” said Moshhurul Amin, general secretary of Bangladesh Astronomical Association, at the press conference.
The festival marks the 51st anniversary of Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin's visit to the outer space.
The Soviet pilot and cosmonaut was the first human to journey into the outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on 12 April, 1961.
Alexander P Demin, director of RCSC, said the day is celebrated across the globe with much fanfare and the centre is proud to be a part of such celebration in the country.
Saumen Hazra, chairman of the National Committee of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, also addressed the conference.