Birla Industrial & Technological Museum

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.
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Gaurav Bansal
5 April 2014
Good for kids. Check out the new Ramanujan exhibit.
L Rath
30 March 2013
Pretty soggy old and obsolete museum
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Map
16A, Gurusaday Dutta Road, Beck Bagan, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019, India Get directions
Mon-Sun 10:00 AM–5:30 PM

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