Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai
About
Located in Worli the Nehru Science Museum with
sound light gallery has an attractive children's
section. It is the only place, which recreates
the image of sky as seen from anywhere on earth
at any time. It also has a collection of warplanes,
which served the Indian air force. Nehru planetarium
was commissioned in 1977 and designed by one
of India's finest architects I.M.Kadri. Nehru
Centre, a trust headed by the Chief Minister
of Maharashtra State, runs it. An astronomical
exhibition, comprising of 40 exhibits (transparencies
and working model) explain the cosmos. In the
auditorium, a breathtaking 'Sky Show' captures
the very essence of the Milky Way or Akashganga.
Two hundred projectors are simultaneously trained
onto a hemispherical ceiling made of aluminum.
The effect is realistic and it is not surprising
that the planetarium has attracted more than
3 million visitors
Information for tourists
It opened in 1986 and now houses the "Discovery
of India" exhibition, an art gallery, theatre
and restaurant. Inspired by Nehru's book of
the same name, it seeks to explore 5000 years
of history by investigating the geographical,
social, culture and political forces at play
in the subcontinent. It's highly informative
in a school trip kind of way. But then it's
best to concentrate on just a couple of the
major themes, such as the detailed exhibits
depicting Nehru's life and times. Other interesting
topics include the Mauryan Empire, the impact
of the west and the struggle for independence.
Children below five years of age not allowed
into the Sky Theatre. The Nehru Planetarium
is closed on Mondays. It was in 1972 that the
Nehru Centre was conceived by the late Shri
Rajni Patel and others as a living memorial
to the maker of modern India, who symbolized
the ideals of enlightened curiosity, scientific
temper, secular values, a world view and above
all, a faith in the people of India. The late
Smt. Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone
of this magnificent dream on November 2, 1972
on a six-acre plot leased by the Government
of Maharashtra.
The Structure
This Centre looks like something out of 1970's
James Bond movie. I.M. Kadri designed this to
reflect Nehru's vision of Indian modernism.
It's a beautiful cylinder-shaped building that
achieves unity despite depicting multiple forces
pulling in different directions.
|
