SCIENCE EXPRESS BLOG
This blog is for visitors and partners of the “Science Express”, a joint Indo-German multimedia exhibition, which is travelling inside a 400 meters long air-conditioned train accross India. On this site we provide information and news about the exhibition tour and the 57 destinations of the train. We warmly welcome your feedback and comments by e-mail: science-express©gv.mpg.de
LATEST STOPS
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
BHOPAL, Madhya Pradesh
EXHIBITION DATES: 04.05. - 08.05.2008
Bhopal Railway Station, Deputy Station Master
Press Conference with Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Balram Jakhar,
Bhopāl (Hindi: भोपाल), the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is the second largest city in Madhya Pradesh after Indore, with a poulation of about 1,7 million. It is called the City of Lakes, the Upper and Lower Lakes of Bhopal are also known as Bhoj Wetlands. A major eco-conservation project has been undertaken by the Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO) to conserve and protect the lakes.
Upper Lake of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Friday, May 2nd, 2008
INDORE, Madhya Pradesh
EXHIBITION DATES: 30.04. - 04.05.2008
VISITORS: 28298
Science Express in Indore
The Science Express was inaugurated by Dr. D. D. Bhawalkar, the Ex-Director of the Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT). 400 students and 32 teachers participated in the Kids’ Lab.
“I am impressed by the quality, content and the extent of the exhibits. We need many more such exhibitions which will trigger our young minds. My best wishes to all connected with this effort.” – Dr. D. D. Bhawalkar, Indore.
Indore Railway Scouts
Indore (Marathi:इंदूर, Hindi:इन्दौर), the largest city in the Malwa region of Central India and the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, is situated on the Malwa Plateau. Indore formerly served as the capital of the former princely state of Indore and the summer capital of the erstwhile state of Central India. It is currently the largest city in Madhya Pradesh with a population of almost 2 million inhabitants.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
RATLAM, Madhya Pradesh
EXHIBITION DATE: 29.04.2008
VISITORS: 13005
Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh
Ratlam (Hindi:रतलाम), known historically as Ratnapuri, is a city in the Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh and a major railway junction on the western railway lines. As of 2001 India census, Ratlam had a population of 221,267 and an average literacy rate of 75%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%. In Ratlam, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Madhya Pradesh (Hindī: मध्य प्रदेश), translation: Middle Province), often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh was originally the largest state in India until November 1st, 2000, when the state of Chhattisgarh was carved out. It borders the states Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratlam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monday, April 28th, 2008
AHMEDABAD, Gujarat
EXHIBITION DATES: 24.04. - 29.04.2008
VISITORS: 164992
Shri Narendrabhai Modi (Chief Minister of Gujarat), Shri Kartikeya V. Sarabhai (Chairman, Standing Committee, VASCSC), Shri Chander Mohan (Director, DST, Govt. of India), Shri P. M. Balakrishnan (Chief Executive, BASF India) and Shri Dilip Surkar (Executive Director, VASCSC) with guests during the welcome ceremony in Ahmedabad.
Shri Narendrabhai Modi opening the Science Express in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad (Gujarati: અમદાવાદ Amdāvād, Hindi: अहमदाबाद Ahmadābād) is the largest city in the state of Gujarat and the seventh-largest urban agglomeration in India, with a population of 5.6 million. Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, the city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district, and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970; the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar thereafter. The city is sometimes called Karnavati, a name for an older town that existed in the same location; in colloquial Gujarati it is commonly called Amdavad.
Stepwells for Water Storage (also called Bawdi (Hindi:बावड़ी) or Baoli (Hindi:बावली)
Ahmedabad was founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat. The city is named after its founder. Under British rule, a military cantonment was established and the city infrastructure was modernised and expanded. Although incorporated into the Bombay Presidency during the British rule in India, Ahmedabad remained the most important city in the Gujarat region. The city established itself as the home of a booming textile industry, which earned it the nickname “the Manchester of the East.”The city was at the forefront of the Indian independence movement in the first half of the 20th century. It was the centre of many campaigns of civil disobedience to promote workers’ rights, civil rights and political independence. With the creation of the state of Gujarat in 1960, Ahmedabad gained prominence as the political and commercial capital of the state. Once characterised by dusty roads and bungalows, the city is witnessing a major construction boom and population increase.
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
A rising centre of education, information technology and scientific industries, Ahmedabad remains the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat, and much of western India. Since 2000, the city has been transformed through the construction of skyscrapers, shopping malls and multiplexes. However, this progress has been marred by natural calamities, political instability and outbreaks of communal violence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmedabad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
VADODARA, Gujarat
EXHIBITION DATES: 19.04. - 24.04.2008
Visitors: 81147
Opening Ceremony in Vadodara
The welcome ceremony was organized by the Sanskruti Astronomy & Nature Academy of Vadodara. Ms. Suhas Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager, inaugurated the Science Express. The Guests of Honour were Mr. Vijay Nehra, Collector & DM, Prof. S. M. Joshi-I/C, Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Martin Thummel, Deputy Consul General, Mumbai, Mr. P A Pandya, Education Inspector, D.O. and Mr. Dilip Surkar, Executive Director, VASCSC. Mr. Hemant Shah and Ms. Niketa Dedhia, DAAD were also present on this occasion.
Vadodara (Gujarati: વડોદરા, Marathi: बडोदा), also known as Baroda (Gujarati: બરોડા), is one of four cities in the state with a population of over 1 million. It is also known as the Sayaji Nagari or Sanskari Nagari (Cultural Capital of Gujarat), Vadodara or Baroda, formerly the capital city of Gaekwar State, is situated on the banks of Vishwamitri, a river whose name derived from the great saint Rishi Vishvamitra.
University of Vadodara
The patronage of education started with Maharaja Sayajirao and the city has built further on the academic infrastructure established by him. The present educational foundation rests on over 20 public schools and over 100 private schools and the MS University, which is the only university in Gujarat with English as the only medium of instruction.
Mango Tree at the Vishwamitri River, Vadodara
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadodara
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
BHARUCH, Gujarat
EXHIBITION DATES: 15.04. - 19.04.2008
Bharuch Railway Station
Bharuch today is a large seaport city of more than one million inhabitants and a municipality in Bharuch district in Gujarat. As a trading depot, the limitations of coastal shipping made it a regular terminus via several trade routes of the spice and silk trading between East and West, so that it became known by various names such as Bharakuccha, Bhrigu Kaksha, Bhroach, as well as Bhrauch. Bharuch has always been prosperous due to its location on the Narmada River.
The Science Express on its Journey from Maharashtra to Gujarat
Gujarat (Gujarati: ગુજરાત) borders Pakistan and Rajasthan to the north-east, Madhya Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south. Historically, the North was known as Anarta, the Kathiawad peninsula, “Saurastra”, and the South as “Lata”. Gujarat was also known as Pratichya and Varuna. The Arabian Sea makes up the state’s western coast. Its capital, Gandhinagar is a planned city and is located near Ahmedabad, the commercial center of Gujarat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharuch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
PUNE, Maharashtra
EXHIBITION DATES: 10.04. - 14.04.2008
Visitors: 58651
Welcome Ceremony in Pune
Mr. Anuj Sinha, Department of Science & Technology visited the Science Express as well as a group from Khadki and a group of 15 senior citizens from Pune.
“This is an excellent way of exhibiting the basics and applied aspects of science. So thanks to the organizers. One request would be to present the whole thing in a book which can be kept and gone through several times.” - Prof. A.K. Chakravary, North Bengal University.
Railway Station and View of Pune
Pune (Marathi/Hindi: पुणे, also transcribed as Poona) is the second largest city of Maharashtra with a population of about 5 million. It is known for its educational facilities, having more than one hundred educational institutes and nine universities. Pune is fast emerging as an InfoTech hub, challenging Bangalore and Mumbai to emerge as one of the top contenders for the ‘Silicon Valley of India’.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thursday, April 10th 2008
MUMBAI, Maharashtra
EXHIBITION DATES: 04.04. - 08.04.2008
Visitors: 102552
Opening Ceremony in Mumbai
Dr. Burman (Director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai) inaugurated the Science Express. Seated Left to Right: Guests of Honour Mr. Bernhard Steinrücke (Director General IGCC), Mr. Walter Stechel (Consul General of Germany), Mr. Prasad Chandran (Chairman of BASF group Companies in India and Head South Asia), Smt. Sowmya Raghavan (GM Central Railways), Dr. Andreas Trepte (Max Planck Society, Germany) and Mr. Chander Mohan (Director, DST)
The Guests of Honour at the Inauguration in Mumbai
Many local companies and organizations joined the event at the famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Some had covered long distances from remove places in Maharashtra to see the exhibition. Especially the Kids’ Lab created high interest among the 102552 visitors - 1682 students and 115 teachers were given the opportunity to participate in the Kids’ Lab during the 5 days in Mumbai.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus)
Mumbaī, formerly Bombay, is the capital of Maharashtra, on the west coast of India. With an estimated population of thirteen million, it is the most populous indian city. Along with the neighbouring suburbs it forms the world’s fifth most populous metropolitan area of about nineteen-million inhabitants.
Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment center of India and one of the world’s top ten centers of commerce by global financial flow, home to such important financial institutions as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India and the corporate headquarters of many Indian companies and numerous multinational corporations.
The city also houses India’s Hindi film and television industry, known as Bollywood. Mumbai’s business opportunities, as well as its high standard of living, attract migrants from all over India and, in turn, make the city a potpourri of many communities and cultures.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Hindi: छत्रपती शिवाजी अंतक), formerly Victoria Terminus, is an historic railway station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the busiest railway stations in India. It was designed by F. W. Stevens in 1887-1888. After earning the commission, Stevens went on a ten-month trip to Europe to make a detailed study of the stations there. The final design bears some resemblance to St. Pancras Station in London.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Terminus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tuesday, April 1st 2008
Mangalore, Karnataka
EXHIBITION DATES: 29.03. - 02.04.2008
Opening Ceremony in Mangalore
Science Express Team in Mangalore
Mangalore (Kannada: ಮಂಗಳೂರು, Mangalūru) is the main port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is situated on the west coast of the country on the Arabian Sea, with the Western Ghats to Mangalore’s east.
View of the Science Express at Mangalore Station
Mangalore developed as a port on the Arabian Sea - to this day it remains one of the major ports of India. Lying on the backwaters formed by the Netravati and Gurupura rivers, it has long been a roadstead along the Malabar Coast. Its port handles 75% of India’s coffee exports.
Mangalore is known for its beaches, temples and industries. There are several languages spoken, including Tulu, Konkani, Kannada and Beary. The landscape is dominated by the characteristic coconut palms and tiled-roof buildings, topped with the well-known Mangalore tiles. Older houses are commonly found with elaborate wood-work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangalore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tuesday, April 1st 2008
Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala
EXHIBITION DATES: 28.03. - 29.03.2008
Railway Station, Regional Bus Line in Kozhikode
Kozhikode (Malayalam കോഴിക്കോട്), also known as Calicut, is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is the third largest city in Kerala. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom, and later of the Malabar District. Literally the term Kozhikode means Koyil (palace) Kodu (fortified). Calicut is the anglicised form of Kalikut.
Kozhikode has a population of 436,527 as of 2001 census, with an extended metropolitan population of about 0.9 million, making it the third largest urban agglomeration and the third largest city in Kerala. According to data compiled by Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments, Kozhikode ranked as the second best city in India to reside in. Indicus considered six parameters - health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment - for preparing their ‘reside-in’ index of livability.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kozhikode
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Friday, March 28th 2008
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
EXHIBITION DATES: 23.03. – 27.03.2008
Visitors: 6127
Entrance of the exhibition in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram (Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം), also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of Kerala. It is located on the west coast of India. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the “Evergreen city of India”, the city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. With almost 745,000 inhabitants per the 2001 census, it is the largest city in Kerala, with a wider urban agglomeration of about one million.
Kovalam Beach
The city is the state capital and houses many central and state government offices, organizations and companies. Apart from being the political centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and home to several educational institutions including the Kerala University, and to many science and technology institutions, the most prominent being the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Technopark, dedicated to electronics, software, and other Information Technology (IT) ventures.
University of Kerala (Library), Museum of Science and Technology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvananthapuram
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Friday, March 28th 2008
Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
EXHIBITION DATES: 20.03. – 22.03.2008
Visitors: 15682
At the Opening Ceremony in Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari (Tamil: கன்னியாகுமரி) is a town in Tamil Nadu. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula - at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal - it is also called Cape Comorin. A popular tourist place in India, the town and the district in which it is located is a place of great natural beauty. Kanyakumari takes its name from the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple.
Visitors from Kanyakumari
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanyakumari
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thursday, March 26th 2008
Ernakulam, Kerala
EXHIBITION DATES: 15.03. – 19.03.2008
Visitors: 13305
Students visiting the Science Express in Ernakulam
Ernakulam (Malayalam : എറണാകുളം ) refers to the eastern part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. Ernakulam is the most urban part of Kochi and has lent its name to Ernakulam District. The name ‘Ernakulam’ is derived from the name of a very famous temple of Lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan Temple. Ernakulam is the commercial capital of the state of Kerala.
Backwaters near Ernakulam
Kochi (Malayalam: കൊച്ചി), formerly known as Cochin, is one of the principal seaports of Kerala and is located about 220 kilometres north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It has an estimated population of 600,000, with an extended metropolitan population of about 1.5 million, making it the largest urban agglomeration and the second largest city in Kerala after the capital.
Port of Kochi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernakulam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kochi_India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia