Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art Science Centre in Dholpur, Rajasthan, on Monday, aiming to deepen scientific temper and bridge the gap between science and society, particularly among rural and semi-urban communities.
A Strategic Step Towards Scientific Literacy
The Science Centre, built under the aegis of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in collaboration with the Rajasthan government, is designed to:
- Promote scientific curiosity and creativity among students.
- Enhance awareness about applications of science and technology in daily life.
- Serve as a hub for teachers’ training and STEM outreach activities.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised during his inaugural address:
“The Dholpur Science Centre will act as a catalyst to take science beyond textbooks and create a culture of innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking in society.”
Facilities And Exhibits At The Science Centre
| Facility | Purpose | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fun Science Gallery | Interactive learning | Hands-on exhibits demonstrating basic principles of physics, mechanics, and mathematics. |
| Innovation Hub | Student projects and innovation mentoring | Space equipped with tools, kits, and mentorship for school and college students to develop prototypes and participate in innovation challenges. |
| 3D Science Theatre | Audio-visual education | 3D projection-based immersive experiences explaining space science, human biology, environmental conservation, and more. |
| Outdoor Science Park | Learning in nature | Models demonstrating lever mechanics, pulley systems, solar tracking, and sound transmission installed in landscaped gardens. |
| Digital Planetarium (planned) | Astronomy education | Upcoming phase to include a dome planetarium for interactive sky-watching sessions and space education. |
Focus Areas Of The Dholpur Science Centre
- Rural STEM Outreach
- Special programmes for schools lacking advanced laboratories.
- Mobile Science Exhibition units to cover neighbouring districts.
- Skill Development And Teacher Training
- Workshops for science teachers on practical demonstration techniques.
- Orientation programmes on National Education Policy’s experiential learning mandate.
- Promoting Innovation And Startups
- Innovation Hub will identify, mentor, and showcase student ideas.
- Connect rural innovators with national innovation missions for incubation and funding opportunities.
Why Dholpur Was Chosen
The Ministry of Culture and NCSM selected Dholpur for Rajasthan’s first district-level Science Centre due to:
- Its location on the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border, ensuring outreach to adjoining areas.
- Lower exposure of students to experiential science education facilities.
- Potential to integrate science communication with local ecological conservation programmes in Chambal basin.
Voices From The Ground
Students’ Reaction
Rekha Sikarwar, Class 9 student, shared:
“I never saw a human heart model with valves moving. The Fun Science gallery made physics and biology easy to understand. I want to come back for the innovation workshops.”
Teachers’ Perspective
Sunil Sharma, science teacher from Bari block, said:
“We teach Newton’s laws theoretically, but children here saw it live with inertia and motion exhibits. This Centre will transform learning for thousands of students annually.”
Dr. Jitendra Singh’s Vision For Science Centres
During the event, Dr. Singh reiterated:
- Science Centres are temples of modern India, building a scientific society aligned with PM Modi’s vision of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’.
- The government plans to establish over 25 district-level Science Centres across aspirational and educationally backward districts under the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS).
- Special emphasis on integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern science, particularly in health, agriculture, and environmental domains.
National Context: Science Centres Across India
| State | Number of Science Centres (operational) | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 6 | Highest visitor footfall with Kolkata Science City as flagship. |
| Maharashtra | 5 | Promoting urban-rural STEM integration. |
| Rajasthan | 2 (Jaipur and new Dholpur) | Expanding science learning to underserved districts. |
| Tamil Nadu | 4 | Strong linkages with engineering colleges for outreach. |
| Assam | 3 | Supporting STEM education in Northeast. |
(Data: National Council of Science Museums, 2024)
Future Plans For Dholpur Science Centre
Officials from NCSM and Rajasthan Science & Technology Department confirmed:
- The Digital Planetarium dome will be commissioned by early 2026.
- Annual science fairs, innovation contests, and teacher conclaves will be hosted here.
- Collaboration with universities for research communication exhibitions is under discussion.
Social And Economic Impact
Local leaders praised the Centre’s potential to:
- Increase student interest in STEM higher education and competitive exams.
- Generate direct and indirect employment opportunities, including educators, guides, facility management staff, and innovators.
- Create a scientific tourism circuit in Dholpur, boosting economic activity in hospitality and services sectors.
Dr. Jitendra Singh’s Broader Science Outreach Missions
As Minister for Science & Technology, Dr. Singh has launched multiple initiatives to democratise science:
- Mobile Science Units in Northeast and Himalayan states.
- Vigyan Samagam mega exhibitions to popularise Indian contributions to international science collaborations.
- DBT, CSIR, and DST public engagement programmes reaching over 2 million school students annually.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the Dholpur Science Centre marks a significant milestone in India’s science communication and education outreach strategy, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering scientific temper as enshrined in the Constitution. As Dr. Jitendra Singh aptly stated, bridging the gap between science and society is the cornerstone of India’s journey towards becoming a knowledge economy and innovation-driven nation.
Disclaimer: This news content is for informational reporting purposes only. Readers are advised to verify operational hours, programme schedules, and visitor guidelines from official Rajasthan Science & Technology Department or NCSM websites before planning educational tours.
