Nehru Museum of Science and Technology
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Memoirs of the bygone: The Nehru Museum of Science & Technology was founded in 1990 at the Hijli Detention camp building, the indebted IIT-Kharagpur Heritage Building, which is now named as Hijli Saheed Bhavan . The imposing building, bearing resemblance to the Byzantine style of architecture, was used by the British rulers of India to detain the freedom fighters during the 1930s. Although there were few other detention camps around the country in those days, the Hijli detention camp was the only one to witness the martyrdom of two detainees by police firing within jail compound. In fact, the incident led to strong protest, to register their indignation by prominent national figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Subhash Chandra Bose and many others. Soon after independence, the building was used to house the first IIT of the country (Known as Higher Technical Institute initially). Thus the Nehru Museum of Science & Technology started its journey from such a building, which holds significant National Historical Importance.
The museum has many indoor exhibits which include technical models collected from various institutes and organisations across India. The park outside the museum contains 14 open-air demonstrations and outdoor exhibits including a hunter plane, and a steam engine. The museum has an archive room showcasing documents relating to history of the institute and Midnapore district.
Aims and objectives : The museum was established to serve the following mandates:
- To Providing a historical perspective to the advancement of science and technology and demonstrate the vastness of scientific and technological advancement by means of models, experiments, demonstrations, photographs, manuscripts, geological specimens like fossils, popular talks, light and sounds etc.
- To provide young minds at the school and college level with an opportunity to learn and rediscover scientific principles by performing experiments.
- To bring out literature, books, magazines, etc. for popularizing science and technology amongst the people at large.
- To preserve and present the history of technical education in India and specially the history of the IIT system to the general public.
- To collect and preserve the cultural and anthropological records of the people of our neighborhood.
- To organize exhibitions of scientific and technical models and gadgets, creative arts and crafts etc. for the education of the common mass.
- To preserve the genesis of our quest for national freedom struggle vis-à-vis the Hijli detention camp and all its allied structure.
Activities of the Museum :
(a) Organising yearly events :
- Hijli martyr's day is observed on 16th of September, to commemorate the martyrdom of two martyrs at the Hijli Detention Camp on this day in the year 1931. Drawing competition, quiz, debate etc., are organized for the school children. A large number of students, not only from the IIT campus but from far off places participate in the event. A solemn function is also organized at the Martyrs Chawk, where veteran freedom fighters and eminent personalities are invited to the event. In the evening, the venue shifts to the Netaji Auditorium where the distinguished guests share with us their dream of a real free nation, which is followed by felicitation and cultural programs.
- National science Day is observed on 28th of February as a part of a nationwide celebration to commemorate the breakthrough of science and technology in the development of nation and progress of mankind through the ages.
- Science Exhibition and regular visits to the museum are often arranged for the campus students. Special arrangements are also made for the students and people staying around in villages and studying in nearby schools, to feel the upsurge of science and technology toiled through the hard won freedom.
(b) Publication of Books :
The Nehru Museum of Science and Technology has over the years compiled and published books for the popularization of science and also on history. Some of these are:
- Laser- The Light Wave of the Future.
- Past and Present of IIT Kharagpur- Changing profiles of Hijli
- Information Technology
- Nano Technology
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering
- Some Common Ailments and their Control
- Changing Profile of Hijli
- Hijli Martyrs Day -16th September, (Vol.1-10)
- National Science Day - 28th February, (Vol.1- 4)
- Home Guide to Food n' Fun
- Freedom struggle in Midnapore
- Staff Directory – 2002
- Brain Wave
- Floral Spectrum
- Agnikanya
- Profiles in Wisdom: Science and Indian Scientists
(c) Renovation, maintenance and face-lifting of historical building :
The museum has initiated the renovation of allied structures of Hijli Detention Camp and setting up of theme parks.
- Men's prison cells: These cells have been enlivened with model casts of freedom movement and the general enlightenment of the people of India.
- Women's prison cells: These cells display an exhibition of the Hijli Ladies Jail and the role of women in national freedom struggle.
- Freedom Park: This Park is maintained with unique concept, where all the trees have been planted by some great freedom fighters of India.
- Science Park: This Park has been set up with a view to place various open-air exhibits on appropriate themes.
- Hijli Shaheed Bhawan: Apart from housing the scientific exhibits, posters, model casts, photographs etc., the history of the Hijli Detention Camp and also of IIT Kharagpur have been highlighted in the Nehru Museum.
(d) Creation of theme galleries:
Nehru Museum has created few theme galleries in the Hijli Shaheed Bhawan and is improving and upgrading them. Some of the important galleries are:
- Evolution of Science Gallery: This gallery depicts the evolution of Science in India from the pre-historic age to recent times with the help of models and written scripts. The gallery invites you to sail a voyage depicting scientific development of India.
- Photographs Gallery: This displays the photographs of important events in IIT starting from its inception. This is being developed to serve an up-to-date information to the students, who can appreciate the glorious past of the institute.
- Science and Children Gallery: This gallery contains different working models for children which depicts the phenomena of optics, electronics, mono rail, magnetic levitation, Bengali computer, Teesta barrage regulator, sterling engine, solar paddy drier, microelectronics and image processing displays etc. Many new models of indigenous make are being continuously added to this gallery. A Hunter plane donated by the Defence Ministry, which was installed with the help of Indian Air Force, Kalaikunda and a narrow gauge Steam Locomotive, as outdoor exhibits too enthrall the young visitors.
Nehru Museum of Science & Technology
IIT Kharagpur
Kharagpur -721302
West Midnapore
West Bengal, India
