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India spreads message of science and technology on wheels
Monday, 15 December 2003, 20:30 IST
NEW DELHI: A train was flagged off Monday by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that seeks to instil a sense of pride among Indians on the country's achievements -- be it in space, defence or environment.
The special 15-coach train will strive to enthuse children in developing a scientific temper through working models.
During its year-long journey to 56 destinations on its 62,000 route km run round the country, the Vigyan Rail -- the Science Train -- will offer glimpses of the life and work of eminent Indian scientists including J.C. Bose, P.C. Ray, C.V. Raman, M.N. Saha, S.N. Bose, H.J. Bhabha, and Vikram Sarabhai as well as Indian American astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died in the Columbia space shuttle disaster.
Space-technology models, indigenously developed defence weapons, India's achievements in science and technology from atomic energy, power, communication, ocean development, IT, defence, agriculture, non-conventional energy, healthcare, medicine and environment are all on display.
Estimated to have cost about 
50 million, the exhibition has on display models of the indigenously developed main battle tank, its various missiles and the multi-role fighter aircraft and pilotless spy plane.
Vajpayee said it was only right that Indian Railways, the largest rail network in the world under a single management, spread the message of the country's development in science and technology.
"Reaching the masses through the network of railways was the best way as the Indian Railways have played an important role in the connecting people using modern technologies," Vajpayee said.
Despite India having made great strides in science and technology, Vajpayee said people in large parts of the country were still not aware of them.
As India prepares to celebrate 2004 as the Year of Scientific Awareness, the science-on-the-wheels exhibition would help to spread the message and create interest among young people to pursue scientific studies, the prime minister said.
A joint endeavour of the ministry of science and technology and the ministry of railways, the exhibition traces India's scientific heritage and development since independence.
The 15-coach train will remain in the capital for the next four days before starting on its onward year-long journey covering the length and breadth of the country, halting for three to five days at different destinations to allow people the chance to witness and be a part of the progress that has been made India an important part of global scientific and development goals.
The inspiration for the exhibition was the overwhelming response to the railways' own exhibition last year depicting its 150 years history and growth.
Source: IANS
50 million, the exhibition has on display models of the indigenously developed main battle tank, its various missiles and the multi-role fighter aircraft and pilotless spy plane.
Vajpayee said it was only right that Indian Railways, the largest rail network in the world under a single management, spread the message of the country's development in science and technology.
"Reaching the masses through the network of railways was the best way as the Indian Railways have played an important role in the connecting people using modern technologies," Vajpayee said.
Despite India having made great strides in science and technology, Vajpayee said people in large parts of the country were still not aware of them.
As India prepares to celebrate 2004 as the Year of Scientific Awareness, the science-on-the-wheels exhibition would help to spread the message and create interest among young people to pursue scientific studies, the prime minister said.
A joint endeavour of the ministry of science and technology and the ministry of railways, the exhibition traces India's scientific heritage and development since independence.
The 15-coach train will remain in the capital for the next four days before starting on its onward year-long journey covering the length and breadth of the country, halting for three to five days at different destinations to allow people the chance to witness and be a part of the progress that has been made India an important part of global scientific and development goals.
The inspiration for the exhibition was the overwhelming response to the railways' own exhibition last year depicting its 150 years history and growth.
Source: IANS