Mauritius: An exhibition entitled “SPUTNIK”, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the launch of the Sputnik satellite, was launched on 20th April 2023 at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC) in Bell Village in the presence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Konstantin Klimovskiy.
The Chairperson of the RGSC Trust Fund, Mrs Ellora Mishra Dhunnoo, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and other personalities were also present at the launching ceremony. On this occasion, a keynote lecture was given by Ambassador Klimovskiy, during which he made a presentation on the Sputnik satellite.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the RGSC and the Russian Embassy in Mauritius. It aims at showcasing the significant contribution of the Sputnik mission to space exploration and technological advancements and seeks to promote science and technology awareness among the population and students. It is open to the public as of today.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Klimovskiy laid emphasis on the friendly ties that exist between Mauritius and Russia. He recalled that Mauritius celebrated its 55th Independence Anniversary this year and underlined that the country advocates for equal cooperation with different countries of the world.
We have also celebrated the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Mauritius and look forward to diversifying economic ties and developing cooperation in various fields with Mauritius, added the Russian Ambassador.
Furthermore, Ambassador Klimovskiy recalled that Mauritius deployed its first nanosatellite, the MIR-SAT 1, in 2021. This, he remarked, will enable the Mauritian Government to achieve success in reaching its goals as the experience acquired will serve as a stepping stone to developing its space industry.
As for the Chairperson of the RGSC Trust Fund, she dwelt on the salient objectives of this collaborative venture with the Russian Embassy. These are: to highlight the historical significance of the Sputnik mission as the first human-made object to orbit the Earth; to showcase the technological advancements made in space exploration since the Sputnik mission; to provide an opportunity to learn about the principles of space exploration and scientific discoveries through interactive exhibits and educational activities; and foster an interest in science and technology among the youths of Mauritius and encourage them to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Mrs Dhunnoo also urged students to take advantage of this opportunity which, according to her, will provide them with knowledge and expertise that can help shape the future of the Nation and contribute to solving pressing global challenges.
