News item ‘‘Vikrami calendar needs rectification’
The Tribune Jalandhar edition 1 March 2009
National Science Day
‘Vikrami calendar needs rectification’
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service
Kapurthala, February 28
Man-made activities including rapid industrialisation and deforestation pose a huge threat to life on the planet. This was stated by emeritus scientist, Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Chandigarh and former director of the National Institute of Science and Technology and Development Studies (NISTDS), New Delhi, Dr. Rajesh Kochhar, while addressing a gathering at a function organised to mark National Science Day at the conventional hall of the Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) on Saturday.
Dr. Kochhar said there is a gap of 23 days between the natural and Vikrami calendar. This gap has developed over the last 1,500 years.
He suggested that the error should be rectified by adjusting the Vikrami calendar according to nature.
Elaborating on the issue, he said the Vikrami calendar is a twin-track calendar. It keeps track of Samkranti as well as Amavasya and Poornima.
Further, seasonal festivals are all associated with the astronomical position of the Sun, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, PGSC director general Dr. RS Khandpur said PGSC has been celebrating the National Science Day every year on February 28 to acknowledge and remember Nobel laureate Sir CV Raman for inventing the Raman Effect on this day.
Painting, quiz, debate and science play contests were organised among the students of different educational institutes on this occasion.