India\’s unique train takes science to masses

It is a train with no specific destination but a mission. Its goal: to take science to India\’s masses, particularly the youth. The Science Express has been crisscrossing the length and breadth of the country for more than 600 days, attempting to nurture curiosity for science in the young and rekindle interest in the old.

Unravelling the secrets of how the universe began and getting into the minutiae of cell biology and cold atoms, the exhibition has reached out to five million people, mostly students. Simplifying complicated concepts of cutting-edge research in science through audiovisual exhibits and interactive tools, the exhibition has been receiving overwhelming response. \”I like the Science Express very much and especially the climate change section. I came to know about several scientific facts related to global warming and how each one of us can work to save mother Earth. I think it is a great initiative by the government and it goes on,\” said Rashi Yadav, a Class 10 student of the Kendriya Vidyalaya in the Indian capital New Delhi.

A joint venture of India and Germany, the 16-coach air-conditioned train features contributions of the two countries in mathematics, physics, astrophysics, biology, chemistry and space sciences.

Since being flagged off from New Delhi on Oct 30, 2007, by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, it has been showcased in 150 cities across India in three phases. The third phase will end on April 27.

Looking like a long science laboratory with its special interiors, the train is fitted with flat screens to display various scientific developments, prototypes of space missions of India and Germany, mathematical inventions. There are extensive pictures and explanatory write-ups about outer space, the sun, black holes and many such matters.

\”Aryabhatta (India\’s first known mathematician) worked out the value of Pi 1,500 years back as 3.141 and India invented zero - the foundation of mathematics and computer language,\” states an electronic plaque in one of the coaches.

Many of the exhibits in the 12 coaches have been developed by the Max Planck Society of Germany, which has produced many Nobel laureates, while some exhibits are indigenous.

The exhibits explain our universe - how it all began, glimpses of space, black holes, galaxies, on the way to the Big Bang, our home in the cosmos and Spaceship Earth. Plus there are exhibits on simpler cold atoms, ultra short light, biotechnology, building blocks of life from \’gene to organism\’, the world of senses, architecture of the mind, renewable energy, technologies and energy sources for future, nanocosmos, bio-engineering, genetics, computer applications in medicine and global challenges.

There is a dedicated coach on \’climate change - cause, effect and mitigation\’.

The Joy of Science (JOS) Lab in the train has been the centre of attraction. It is an area where participants get a chance to perform hands-on activities and experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, electronics and mathematics.

The six workstations in the lab are equipped with more than 50 interesting experiments and activities for different age groups. These activities include exciting themes from school curriculums too.

\”Though the exhibition is open for all, it primarily targets high school and college students. It attempts to develop scientific temper among them and encourages them to pursue careers in science. Further, it strives to take modern research out of the lab and reveal just how relevant science is to everyday life,\” Science Express manager Sudhir Sharma told IANS.

\”Through these, the visitors explore wide areas in science in a fascinating manner and delve into the mysteries of our world, groundbreaking discoveries, emerging issues, cutting-edge science and future-oriented technologies,\” he added.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has entrusted the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) in Ahmedabad town with the task of coordinating and managing the train across India.

A team of 50 people, including science communicators, aboard the train interpret the exhibits, solve queries of visitors and facilitate the visitors.

Sharing her experience, Shradha Gargatti from Belgaum in Karnataka, said: \”Not only are we disseminating information to people but gaining knowledge too. We have travelled across India and met people from different cultures and traditions.\”

The train halts at one destination for three to five days and entry to the exhibition is free.

The overwhelming response has prompted organisers to plan the fourth phase of the Science Express. \”A consolidated report is being prepared by the team regarding the daily activities as well as educational needs of various student communities. We are in discussion for starting a fourth phase focusing on smaller cities next time,\” said manager Sharma. Interestingly, the Science Express has also created four national records - the train was fabricated in only three months, it is the longest exhibition train on wheels, 15,000 students visited in one day and the railways sold its costliest ticket at Rs.72.9 million ($1.6 million) to the DST. The rental for all the three phases is Rs.176.66 million (approx $4 million).

And so the Science Express chugs on. to other destinations in the vast expanse that is India.