Surat gets ready for rare eclipse

The diamond city of Surat is gearing up to face the rare celestial event, a total solar eclipse on July 22, which will next occur in India in 2087.

According to the ministry of science and technology, the solar eclipse will start shortly after sunrise from Surat on July 22. The eclipse will be visible in totality in Surat for three minutes. It will also be visible in totality in Vadodara, Bharuch and Bhavnagar, and to a partial extent in Ahmedabad and Rajkot.

“The upcoming total solar eclipse is a major occurrence. Citizens must not miss it as the next time the rare celestial event will occur only after 78 years from now. We, in Surat, are fortunate that such a rare occurrence will commence from our city, and that too in the Year of Astronomy,” district collector, Dilip Raval, said.

Surat municipal commissioner, S Aparna said the total solar eclipse is a unique event and we must use the opportunity to make the younger generations aware about it. “We are working closely with the collectorate and the chamber for the event,” she said.

In a meeting at the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Friday, three locations — Surat airport, river-view heights near Savji Korat bridge and Vrajbhoomi plot near Sarthana zoo — were finalised for proper viewing of the eclipse.

The district administration has also chalked-out plans to create better understanding of the solar eclipse among the masses. According to officials, schools will hold essay, elocution and painting competitions on solar eclipse from July 17 to 20 in the buildup to the event. Local artists will present a cultural programme on the theme of solar system and solar eclipse on July 21. Seminars on solar eclipses will also be organised.

The behaviour of birds and animals during the total eclipse will be videographed for documentation, while a website providing complete details of the Surat eclipse, www.solareclipsesurat.in, will also be launched.

President of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Nilesh Mandlewala, said, they are in talks with sponsors to purchase special glasses to view the eclipse. “This is the last chance for the present generation to catch a glimpse of total solar eclipse, and it must not be missed,” Mandlewala added.