Solar plane at city exhibition

JAIPUR: A prototype of such a plane ��� which would fly around the world on the strength of solar energy alone ��� will be exhibited at the Jawahar Kala Kendra here beginning Saturday. It will be a part of the five-day celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of Switzerland-India Friendship treaty.
���The plane, weighing 100 kg and with a long wingspan for improved aerodynamics, has been developed as part of a project called Solar Impulse,��� said Neelam Rapp Singh, one of the organizers, told TOI.Scientists have been conducting simulated flights to ascertain how the plane would continue to fly at night. The plane is expected to take-off for a round-the-world flight in 2011.
The project seeks to highlight the need to showcase what all is possible through alternative forms of energy at a time when there is growing concern about climatic change that endangers earth.
The five-day celebrations in Jaipur will also highlight astronomy as a common thread between India and Switzerland. There will be a presentation by scientists on ���Astrophysics, Astronomy and Astrology���, said Neelam.
Dance, said Neelam, is another thread that ties India and Switzerland together. A Swiss dancer, Maurice Bejart, learnt Kuchipudi dance in India and went on to set up a dance troupe by the name ���Rudra��� in Switzerland. Bejart passed away last year.
As a memorial to Bejart, students trained by his company will perform till midnight on November 20 in New Delhi, added Neelam. The celebrations, organized by Medias Nord Sud, have been sponsored by, among others, Rajasthan government, Swiss Government and Swiss foundations.