Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM), a unit under National Council of Science Museums [NCSM], Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is at Gurusaday road, Kolkata.
History
The first science museum in India was set up by the
industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla at BITS, in Pilani in a hall (185
sq.mt area) of the Tower Building. The museum depicted mainly the
industries and business enterprises of the Birlas. The museum was
opened to the public in 1954. Ten years later the museum was
shifted to the present building.
The second science museum was mooted by Professor K S Krishnan,
physicist and the then Director of National Physical Laboratory
(NPL), he was inspired and encouraged by the then prime minister of
India Jawaharlal Nehru. Professor R. Subramanian was appointed to
develop science museum and planetarium project by NPL in 1956. The
science museum of 555 sq.mr floor space in Delhi was opened for
public in 1956, but it was close down by the authority after few
years, although it was appreciated by general visitors.
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal
and physician was impressed to see Deutsches
Museum of Munich. He thought to
set up a science museum and a planetarium in Calcutta. Dr. Roy
requested to Ghanshyam Das Birla for a help. Ghanshyam Das Birla
donated his residential house to the then prime minister of India
Jawaharlal Nehru. The three storied Victorian style architectural
building along with five bighas land of ‘Birla Park’, where they
had lived for thirty five years.
Former Directors |
- Amalendu Bose, 1959 - 1965 & 1971 - 1974
- Saroj Ghose, 1965 - 1971 & 1974 - 1979
- Samar Bagchi, 1979 - 1991
- Samaresh Goswamy, 1991 - 2004
- Jayanta Sthanapati, 2004 - 2008
|
Existing
galleries
- Biotechnology
- Electricity
- Fascinating Physics
- Life Science
-
Mathematics. Inaugurated on 8th May, 2010
- Metals
- Mock-up Coal Mine
- Motive Power
- Popular Science
- Television
- Transport
Regular
activities
- 3D film show, Alien Adventure - started from July 1,
2008, using digital technology
- Annual Science Quiz
- Community Programme
- Creative Ability Programme
- Environmental Campaign
- Mobile Science Exhibition for rural schools
- Nature Trail
- Popular Science Lecture
- Science & Engineering Fair
- Science Demonstration Lecture
- Science Drama Competition
- Science Fair, in 3 stages: district, state & eastern India
- Science Seminar, in 2 stages: district & state
- Science Shows on Magic & Miracle, Surprising Chemical Reactions
and Super Cold
- Science Workshop
- Sky Observation Programme
- Taramandal Show
- Teachers Training Programme
- Vacation Hobby Camp, in summer and Puja
Satellite
units
-
Bardhaman Science Centre, Babur Bagh. Inaugurated on 9th
January, 1994. Covered floor area 952.7 Sq. mtrs.
-
Digha Science Centre & National Science Camp, New
Digha. Inaugurated on
31st August, 1997. Covered floor area 2589 Sq. mtrs.
-
Dhenkanal Science Centre, Orissa. Inaugurated on 5th
June, 1995. Covered floor area 1147 Sq. mtrs.
-
District Science Centre, Purulia. Inaugurated
on 15th December, 1982. Covered floor area 1637.40 Sq. mtrs.
-
Kapilas Science Park, Dhenkanal. Inaugurated on 5th
June, 1995. Area 4.8 Acres
-
North Bengal Science Centre, Matigara. Inaugurated on
17th August, 1997. Covered floor area 1875 Sq. mtrs.
-
Regional Science Centre, Bhubaneswar.
Inaugurated on 18th September, 1989. Covered floor area 3819 Sq.
mtrs.
-
Srikrishna Science Centre, Patna. Inaugurated
on 14th April, 1978. Covered floor area 3523 Sq. mtrs.