Bhavnagar Science City to ignite young minds

Vijaysinh Parmar TNN/Bhavnagar: You might have explosions of a different kind coming out of here. But, children are sure to have a blast at this unique science city being set up in Bhavnagar. And, who knows, an Edison or CV Raman might emerge from this experiment. Slated to cost Rs 3 crore, construction has already begun and the centre is likely to be operational in 2009. Shri Balvant Parekh Science City aims to stimulate young minds to think and even, invent. It plans to enhance skills of comprehension and innovation along with R & D capabilities. “The science city will give students an environment where they can experiment freely and learn science practically. There are many schools which teach science, where students are not allowed to carry out experiments. How can we then expect great scientists to emerge? Children will be able to do things here they can’t do at school or home,” says Bipin Shah of Vikas Vartul Trust. The trust and Monghiben Balvihar are playing an instrumental role in establishing it. Shah is himself a scientist at Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar. How did the idea strike him? Interestingly, it was a thought-provoking question from his son that triggered the scheme. His son asked him how come he had studied so much more than Edison, but had not invented anything! “We visited many science cities across the country to incorporate their best features. Our idea is that it should not be just an exhibition centre but, a breeding ground for scientists,” says a passionate Shah. Seeing his devotion to the cause of spreading science awareness among children, industrialists and others have made donations for the project. “Pidilite Industries Ltd donated Rs 1.25 crore and Hindustan Pencils Ltd Rs 76 lakh. Tushar Vadhar of Shashi Industries has also helped shape our project,’’ says Shah According to Aswin Shah, a trustee, each day over 500 students will be able to conduct experiments and as a result, build scientific temper. “There will be a laboratory, IT computer unit, environmentagri unit, CD-toys library, mobile knowledge van, teachers’ training unit, theatre, science park, energy park, fairyland, planetarium and science museum at the venue,” he says.