The Hindu : Front Page : PM, Merkel flag off ‘Science Express’

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Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007
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PM, Merkel flag off ‘Science Express’

Special Correspondent

The 14-coach train has interactive modules on various aspects of science
Every coach has science educators working on 24X7 basis

— PHOTO: AFP

Propagating science: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh alight from the “Science Express” at the Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel on Tuesday flagged off “Science Express,” a special train put together by Indian and German scientific agencies to showcase the contemporary as well as futuristic scientific advances.

The train, which will travel to 57 destinations in different parts of the country over a period of seven months, is patterned on the world famous Science Tunnel exhibition of the Max Planck Society of Germany. The 14-coach train houses microprocessor-controlled interactive modules on various aspects of science beginning from basic research work in different parts of the world on the origin of the universe to nanotechnology.

The train’s arrival at each station will be preceded by activities aimed at attracting the interest of children in science. These would include painting competitions and quiz programmes. BASF, a leading player in the global chemical industry from Germany, will host its global programme, BASF Kids Lab, which will provide a hands-on laboratory experience to the children visiting the train.

Every coach has science educators to help children and others. The communicators are housed on the train itself on a 24X7 basis to ensure smooth functioning of the project.

They were provided by Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre, Ahmedabad-based NGO working in the area of science and its popularisation.

The Union Ministry of Science and Technology, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany and the Max Planck Society have put together the train.

Terming the train a symbol of cooperation between the two countries, the Prime Minister said it would build new bridges of understanding and goodwill between India and Germany.

“It [Science Express] will symbolise the exciting partnership between our scientists that befits the 21st century. It will symbolise and showcase our cooperation in the popularisation of science and its importance to our relationships.”

Dr.Singh recalled how the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai and the Rourkela Steel Plant were set up in partnership with Germany. The “Science Express” was part of the progressively strengthening tradition of the decades-long collaboration with Germany in science and technology.

The Prime Minister said he was particularly happy that the project was being launched by Dr. Merkel, who herself is an accomplished scientist, besides being a world leader of outstanding international repute. “It is my sincere and fondest hope that we see further such projects between India and Germany in the years to come.”

Dr. Merkel hoped that the train would bring the world of science closer to the people living in far flung areas. Germany was keen to collaborate with India in using science and technology for the betterment of the world.

Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal expressed the confidence that the train would be able to achieve its aim of reaching science to the masses.

Several leading institutions of Germany and India, which were actively associated with the project, would provide counselling and guidance to the youth as the train criss-crossed the country.

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