Henkel India sets up an Astronomy Lab in Navi Mumbai school under its CSR plan for FY 2024-25

Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Private Limited ‏(Henkel India) has set up an Astronomy Laboratory and Observatory called Aryabhatta Astronomy Lab in R. F. Naik Vidyalaya & Junior College, Koparkhairane, in collaboration with Global Mission Astronomy, India. This Astronomy Laboratory and Observatory, set up under Henkel India’s CSR plan for FY 2024-25, was inaugurated today by Bulent Pehlivan - Regional Head of Finance Henkel IMEA, S. Sunil Kumar - Country President Henkel India, Krishna Prasad - Head of Finance - Henkel India & Pakistan, Shri Sandeepji Naik - President - Shramik Shikshan Mandal, Shri Sagarji Naik - Secretary - Shramik Shikshan Mandal and Dr. Shri Sanjeevji Naik – Pramukh Vishwast - Shramik Shikshan Mandal.

Speaking on the occasion, Bulent Pehlivan, Regional Head of Finance Henkel IMEA, said, “The  Astronomy Lab and Observatory CSR initiative of Henkel India will generate interest among students in astronomy and space right from the school level. Thereby, setting a breeding ground for future scientists and astronomers from India and the region.“

Henkel has already set up astronomy observatories & laboratories at ten locations in the Pune district. The Aryabhatta Astronomy Lab in Koparkhairane is the eleventh such lab. These astronomy laboratories and observatories give students an opportunity to participate in asteroid exploration, planetary exploration and build curiosity about the universe encouraging them to question what lies beyond. The aim is to enable ten thousand students to undertake space research from these labs.  

S. Sunil Kumar, Country President Henkel India, opined, “In line with our purpose, “Pioneers at heart for the Good of generations,” at Henkel India, we strive to ensure the future readiness of society through our CSR initiatives. With an aim to offer equitable and inclusive quality education, we are happy to provide exposure on astronomy and space to government school students through this CSR intervention, which is a new concept in India. We hope this will spark interest in some of the students to take it up as a career in the future.”

We have trained more than 300 teachers in Pune district through the “Train the Trainer” program under this CSR initiative. Students, with the help of our Astronomy observatories & laboratories, will be able to participate in various activities such as eclipses and observation of planets, stars, asteroids, amongst others.