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Science Express at Howrah
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editor on 07 February, 2008 04:36:00
 
A Unique experience awaits the city's science lovers and wannabe scientists.
They can now attend a science exhibition on wheels at Howrah Station that began
today.
The train, Science Express, has 14 coaches put together by officials of Indian
and German scientific agencies. The train has microprocessor-controlled
interactive modules on various aspects of science — be it contemporary or
futuristic scientific developments. The 400-meter-long fully air-conditioned
train will remain at platform number-22 of Howrah Station till February 11.
The train, which was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his
German counterpart Angela Merkel on October 30 last year, was scheduled to visit
57 stations in 210 days, travelling 1,500 kilometers across the country.
Its aim is to kindle curiosity and interest in science among students and
Indian youth.
Students can get a visual experience of various activities such as ‘Gene
to Organism’, ‘Protection of Disease’, ‘'Black holes and
Galaxies’, '’Architecture of Brain’ and a ‘'World Of
Senses’ and other concepts of science.
About 40 communicators from Vikram Sarabhai Science Communication Center are
present round the clock in the 12 coaches illustrating the marvels of science.
In the last coach of the train, ‘Kids Labs’, installed by the
BAS—a leading chemical company from Germany — children can get a
hands-on laboratory experience.
Each coach is named after a research institute of India. The exhibition aims to
sensitise students about taking up basic science research in the country.
According to the organisers, the train has witnessed 6,000 to 8,000 visitors a
day from various parts of the city.  Subhas Chakraborty, the state minister of
transport, sports and youth affairs, was present at the inauguration. He said
that a fleet of 10 buses would be arranged to ferry school students to the venue
free of cost.