CM Siddaramaiah launches 'Digital Mobile Planetarium' initiative for schools
Bengaluru (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday launched the state’s 'Digital Mobile Planetarium' initiative at Vidhana Soudha, marking a renewed push to strengthen science learning in rural Karnataka.
The Planetarium brings an immersive astronomy experience directly to school campuses through custom-built vehicles equipped with a 5-metre dome, 360-degree fish-eye projection, air-conditioning, and advanced audio systems.
The initiative was conceived to bridge the rural–urban gap in access to planetarium learning, enabling students to explore the universe from their own school premises, a statement issued by the chief minister’s office said.
Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Siddaramaiah said the initiative had already reached over 17 lakh students, calling it "a significant achievement" in democratising access to astronomy.
"Our aim is to spark scientific curiosity in rural children and bring high-quality science education closer to them," he said.
State Minister for Science & Technology N S Boseraju said the programme has been infused with upgraded technology and an expanded delivery model.
He added that while the mobile planetarium currently operates in a limited number of districts, the government is preparing to scale the initiative across all districts in Karnataka in the coming months.
"We are committed to ensuring that every child, irrespective of geography, receives exposure to modern science," he said.
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Naval information leak case: Fourth accused held
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Udupi police have arrested another accused in a case involving the alleged transmission of confidential information related to the Indian Navy to Pakistan, taking the total number of arrests to four, officials said on Thursday.
The arrested accused has been identified as Alif Islam (21), a native of West Bengal, who was presently residing at Marayur village in Idukki district of Kerala, they said.
He was apprehended in connection with the alleged leak of a confidential list containing identification numbers of Indian naval vessels, police said.
According to investigators, the accused are suspected to have shared sensitive information through WhatsApp and Facebook with contacts in Pakistan without authorisation.
The case was registered at Malpe police station in 2025 following a complaint regarding the alleged illegal transmission of naval-related data, officials said.
Police said the investigation pertains to the alleged sharing of a classified list of ship numbers linked to the Indian Navy.
In November 2025, two accused -- Rohit and Santri from Uttar Pradesh -- were taken into custody in connection with the same case. Later, Hirendra Kumar from Gujarat was arrested in December 2025.
With the latest arrest, the number of persons held in the case has risen to four.
Police said one more accused is yet to be apprehended. The operator of the Facebook page allegedly used to transmit the information also remains at large.
Investigators suspect that Islam may be a Bangladeshi national, and efforts are on to verify his citizenship and other credentials.
Further investigation is under way, police added.
