Praising the "commendable" work done by National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) for creating awareness on science and technology, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma today said it is educating students and enhancing public understanding and engagement with science.
Addressing the annual general meeting of NCSM, Sharma lauded its role in setting up 60 innovation hubs in different science museums and centres, specially for young children. He said it will inspire the young minds to make innovations and develop a culture of innovation in the country.
NCSM is the largest formal network of science museums in the world. It has already developed 46 science centres and museums in the country. Another two are ready for opening.
While Puducherry Centre will be inaugurated on May 3 this year, a new science city is also being developed in Guwahati. Nine additional projects shall be taken up for implementation during 12th and 13th Plan period.
Sharma said science and culture need to be intertwined and it is necessary for equitable development of both fields.
Culture needs to be interpreted with modern science and technology parameters and science needs to understand culture and both are needed for national development, he explained.
The Minister said India is known for its rich heritage and culture with its long history of science. "We must make efforts to highlight this glorious past in which science was highly developed," he added.
The world has changed and expectations have also changed and so the upgradation, updation and propagation of science and technology is required on a continuous basis, he said.
Offering his salute to the galaxy of intellectuals present at the meeting, the Minister said the wisdom of the experts should be consolidated and disseminated to the masses.
The Chairman of the Governing body of NCSM, Prof. R C Sobti, said that the very purpose of NCSM is to supplement the formal science education to foster a spirit of enquiry and creativity among the students.
He said mobile science units are being set up to tap the potential and knowledge of rural people. He also emphasised the need of science centres in every district of the country and the district level competitions can be organised to promote the engagement of people in science.
