Talk on ‘History of Astronomy Clubs in Vadodra and its present scenario as well as contribution of amateur astronomers of Gujarat’ at Symposium of Astronomy Communication in India by Dr. Atman Desai

Dr. Atman Desai, member of AAAV, delivered a talk on ‘History of Astronomy Clubs in Vadodra and its present scenario as well as contribution of amateur astronomers of Gujarat’ at Symposium of Astronomy Communication in India organized by Astronomical Society of India at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) from 22-24 January 2026. Amateur Astronomers across India came for this symposium and it was a good learning and networking. The history of Astronomy Clubs in Vadodara is a great case study of non-formal education. Talking about present scenario, Amateur Astronomers Association of Vadodara (AAAV) is only club which has stood strongly and very much active. The club is 31 years old now under the leadership of Bhargav Joshi. I have learnt astronomy under his guidance.

The talk also focused on some amateur astronomers like Bhogilal Patwa, Chhotubhai Suthar and Bharat Trivedi in olden times. Presently, Mukesh Pathak and Bhargav Joshi are doing excellent work as amateur astronomers. The three day long symposium gave us opportunity to learn different strategies of communication of astronomy and to face challenges in this area.

Astronomy is not for fascination but to understand scientific temper.

The talk is on You Tube channel of Astronomical Society of India. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSz_wDP4iag&t=607s