The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under the Ministry of Culture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The MoU aims to integrate culture with science.
Creation of science museums
Under the memorandum of understanding, science museums will be created in certain CSIR laboratories. The establishment of science museums will increase the popularity of science education, promote scientific curiosity and awareness among ordinary people in all walks of life.
Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said the MoU will be the effort to achieve the 5Cs of the 21st century i.e. critical thinking, creativity, collaboration , curiosity and communication.
In line with PM Sh’s vision @Narendra Modi, the initiative of @CSIR_IND & @ncsmgoi signing a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of science museums in certain CSIR laboratories in order to promote scientific temperament among Indian citizens will be the effort to fulfill the 5Cs of the 21st century. pic.twitter.com/TwIx4OYeXc
– G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) September 29, 2021
Meanwhile, Union (Independent) State Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh added that science museums across the country would promote scientific temperament, especially among children. and the younger generation.
Purpose of the memorandum of understanding
The government has taken initiatives for the development of a culture of science in the country. Events like the pandemic have only underscored the need to equip oneself with science and technology and to educate society about science and scientific thought.
India encourages experiential learning. Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that scientific, rational and progressive thinking should form the basis of development and strengthen a science-based approach.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to achieve the following objectives;
1.) Create a new chapter in the history of communication and dissemination of science.
2.) The MoU will link HMCS and CSIR and its laboratories.
3.) The MoU also aims to promote a culture of science, technology and innovation in the country
Virtual labs
The CSIR in partnership with IIT-Bombay sets up virtual laboratories for school students. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the CSIR company meeting in 2020 expressed the desire for virtual labs for school students.
Now, the collaboration of CSIR and HMCS will bring a museum within the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) that will showcase the technologies and interventions developed by CSIR over the past eight decades. Museums will encourage students and young people to engage in innovation and technology.
About CSIR and HMCS
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is one of the largest and most diverse publicly funded scientific and industrial research organizations in the world. It is known for its R&D knowledge base in various scientific and technological fields.
The CSIR has a network of 37 national laboratories, 39 local centers, 3 innovation complexes and five units with a pan-Indian presence.
On the other hand, the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under the Ministry of Culture, has the largest network of science centers / museums in the world.
HMCS was established on April 4, 1978 and currently operates 25 science centers / museums across India. Science City, Kolkata, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM), Kolkata, Nehru Science Center, Mumbai, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM), Bangalore and National Science Center, Delhi are National Level Centers of HMCS.
