Nehru Science Centre

Nehru Science Centre
Established	1985
Location	Mumbai, India
Type	Science museum,Educational centre.
Visitor figures	708935 [As on 31st March 2010][1]
Director	Anil Manekar
Website	nehrusciencecentre.org

Nehru Science Centre,(NSC) Mumbai is India's largest interactive science center, located in Worli. The centre is named after India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The centre started with the 'Light and Sight' exhibition in 1977 and then a Science Park was built in 1979. It was opened to public on November 11, 1985 by late Rajiv Gandhi at that time the Prime Minister of India.

History

Nehru Science Centre, first conceived as a Science & Technology Museum in late sixties, took final shape as India's largest interactive science centre in 1977 to match the world trends in such public institutions. The centre opened its first semi-permanent exhibition `Light & Sight' in 1977 followed by the world's first ever Science Park in 1979, during the International Year of the child. The full- fledged science centre was finally opened to public on November 11, 1985 by late Shri Rajiv Gandhi the then Prime Minister of India. Nehru Science Centre, the largest Science Centre in the country has a sprawling 8 acres (32,000 m²) of science park with varieties of plants, trees and shrubs. More than 50 hands-on and interactive science exhibits on energy,sound, kinematics, mechanics, transport, etc. are installed in the science park. The NSC building with its unique architecture houses several permanent science expositions on various theme

National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), the parent body of Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, with its 27 Science Centres / Museums all over the country, has the best infrastructure and skilled manpower to conceptualize, design, develop and organize high quality science exhibits and other related educational programmes and activities

Nehru Science Centre, among the four National level Science Museums in NCSM, working as the Western Zone Headquarters with five science centres in Nagpur, Calicut, Bhopal, Dharampur and Goa under its umbrella caters to the people in the Western part of India. As a part of its activities, the Centre organizes regular extensive science education programmes, activities and competitions for the benefit of the common people and students in particular.

Former Directors
Amalendu Bose Saroj Ghose R M Chakrabarti G S Rautela S M Khened

Nehru Science Centre is visited by over 600,000 people every year who experience and enjoy the basic principles and marvels of science & technology. Situated on Dr. E. Moses Road, Mumbai - 400018, in between Worli Naka and Mahalaxmi Railway Station and spread over 14 acres (57,000 m²) of land, the Centre provides a natural and free environment for students to learn, familiarize and spend creative holidays and for professionals in the field of science education to have a glimpse of innovations in science education. Close to 1,20,000 school children alone participate in the activities of the Centre.

Nehru Science Centre incorporates innovative ways to communicate science to enthuse, entertain, initiate, excite and bring the developments of science & technology to the doorstep of common people for prosperity, awareness, and improving the quality of life. The centre attempts to enhance public understanding of science and spread scientific literacy.

More than 50 hands-on and interactive science exhibits are based on various aspects of science and technology, and there is a collection of some historical artifacts of science and technology. The 3D Science Show is also organized at the centre.

NSC is famous for its Distinct shape

Existing galleries

• Aerospace
• Dynamic Earth
• Evolution
• Hall of Computing
• Human & machine
• Light & Sight
• Our Technology Heritage
• Pre-historic Animal Life
• Reception
• Science for Children
• Sound & Hearing^[2]

How to Reach

The Centre can be reached by public transport i.e. train, bus, taxi or private vehicles. It is situated on Dr. E. Moses Road between Mahalaxmi Rly. Station on the South and Worli Naka on the North at a distance of about 1 km from either end. The nearest bus stop is Jijamata Nagar. The nearest railway station - Mahalaxmi (Western Rly.), Byculla (Central Rly.); Bus Routes - 50, 80 (Ltd.), 91(Ltd.), 124, 154, 164, 165, 168, 172, 351.

The Science Centre is open to the public every day including Sundays and public holidays throughout the year except two: the next day after Holi and on the day of Diwali.

References

1. ^ Activity report 2009-10. NCSM
2. ^ Nehru Science Centre, 'Silver Jubilee Celebration' publication, p - Our Family