A newly developed “Our Science and Technology Heritage” gallery showcasing the achievements of Indian science and technology since ancient times opened at the National Science Centre here on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the exhibition, Union Culture Secretary Jawahar Sircar stressed the need to highlight the country’s contribution to science and technology. “The gallery needs to be publicised more vigorously and publications of high quality needs to be brought out to create understanding and pride in our heritage among children.”
Mr. Sircar also announced the constitution of a high-level committee, comprising experts from National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) and other departments under the Culture Ministry, to do more research in scientific and technological heritage of the country and then disseminate information among the public.
NCSM Director-General G. S. Rautela said a concise information booklet pertaining to the gallery will be brought out soon.
“The new gallery is a welcome addition to the National Science Centre, which already has five other educative and entertaining galleries on human biology, pre-historic life, fun science, information revolution and emerging technologies. The new gallery points out the fact that since the dawn of history, India and indeed different ancient civilizations have contributed immensely to different branches of science and technology, often through interactive contacts across cultures separated by large distances,” he added.
Stating that the gallery that took less than two years to complete has been developed when the city was all set to host the Commonwealth Games next year, National Science Centre director Shivaprasad Khened said: “We decided to unveil an exposition for the benefit of visitors from all over the Commonwealth countries so that the study of the history of science and technology will be placed in a proper perspective vis-a-vis India.”
Pointing out that right from the Harappan period down to the early historic period copper-bronze technology flourished in the Indian sub-continent, Mr. Khened said: “In India iron metallurgy had undergone a process of evolution leading to the production of marvellous edifices like the Delhi Iron Pillar. It has withstood the tests of time without showing any visible signs of rusting. Art and architecture undoubtedly is one of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization.”
The gallery starts with a magnificent view of a wheel of the Konark Sun Temple, to illustrate ancient India’s mastery over astronomy. Also on display is a market place in a Harappan city showcasing all technologies that were available then.
