Delegates at the awareness programme at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sonepur on Thursday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Feb. 3: The Science Express train, a unique initiative to showcase scientific innova-tions on wheels, is going to enter Bihar tomorrow.

An awareness programme with regard to the specially designed train was organised today at the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sonepur.

Speaking on the occasion, divisional railway manager (DRM), Sonepur, R.K. Agarwal said: “This is the first time that the Science Express train is arriving in Bihar and Sonepur has been chosen as the station where the train will make a halt.”

The DRM informed that the train will halt at Sonepur for three days from February 4 to February 6.

“This will be a big opportunity for the children to learn about scientific innovations. The students should keep in mind that knowledge does not only come through books. They shall not confine themselves to the four walls but open up their minds to learn and acquire knowledge from such exhibitions,” Aggrawal said.

Sonepur senior divisional personal officer M.K. Gupta said: “This exhibition will help the students solve the mystery of science. They should try to gain more knowledge from this experience. One of the major objectives of this unique classroom-on-wheels is to nurture curiosity among the children and encourage them to pursue higher studies and careers in science.”

He further said: “The idea behind this unique initiative is to take modern research out of the lab and show how relevant science is in everyday life. The visitors at this state-of-the-art exhibition can learn how science enables the society to face global challenges.”

Principal of Sonepur Kendriya Vidayalaya Pushpa Rani Yadav said: “My students will surely visit the science train. We have been waiting for the train’s arrival ever since we have heard about it.”

The excitement among students was palpable. Kashish Verma, a student, said: “I am very excited about visiting the train, it would be a life-time opportunity for me. Being a student of science, I can learn many things from this exhibition.”

Chief public relations officer (CPRO), East Central Railways, Dilip Kumar said: “The 16-coach train has been designed and developed by Max Planck Society (MPS), Germany. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of Germany flagged off this train from New Delhi on October 30, 2007. Till April 10, 2010, the train had covered 160 cities across India in three phases.”

“The colour of the train is sparkling white. It’s fully air conditioned and showcases of more than 300 large-format visual images, over 150 video clips and multimedia exhibits, which deal extensively with cutting edge research in science and technology. There are exhibits on the big-bang theory, climate change, global challenges, the universe, science and technology in India and technologies of the future,” Dilip Kumar said.

Interacting on the issue of participation in the exhibition, the CPRO said, “Though the exhibition is open to all, it primarily targets high school and college students. Students and youth are encouraged to visit this exhibition in large numbers and take advantage of this innovative endeavour. The students can conduct hands-on experiments in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. High school students can participate in the ‘Joy of Science Lab’ in small batches of up to 20 students by prior registration”.

Dilip Kumar added: “The exhibition is primarily for students of Class IX and above. There is no entry fee.”