PUSHPA
GUJRAL SCIENCE CITY
(An Emblem of Pride for Punjab)
The people of Punjab
are hard working, enthusiastic, vigorous, dynamic, zealous,
adventurous and inquisitive. The establishment of the
Pushpa Gujral Science City at Kapurthala, in the heart
of Punjab, is a major step towards enhancing the growth
potential and spurring the entrepreneurial spirit amongst
the people of the State. The Project which primarily
aims at popularizing science through “edutainment” i.e.
education through entertainment, has been set up on
the 72 acres of land on the Jalandhar-Kapurthala Road.
The biggest project of its kind in India, it is intended
to fire the imagination and creativity, foster the spirit
of inquiry and exploration especially in the young minds.
The
Science City derives its strength from the association
of several top ranking scientists of the country for
development of its various galleries and selection of
exhibits. It had the privilege of having Prof.
APJ Abdul Kalam, Hon’ble President of India as its Chief
Patron. Prof. Yash Pal, Padma Bhushan, known as
the Carl Sagan of India, is a Patron of the Science
City.
Pushpa
Gujral Science City is a unique place which offers entertainment
with learning experience for the whole family. The Science
City offers a blend of education, curiosity and fun
to ensure longer and repeated visits. The project has
something for everyone, regardless of age, education,
profession or social strata.
The
total cost of the Science City Project is Rs.100 crores.
It is a joint project of the Government of India and
Government of Punjab. It has several unique facilities
which offer memorable experiences. Now, you have
not to go abroad to see an IMAX Movie or see a Laser
Show or for a ride in the Flight Simulator.
The Giant Dome Theatre: A giant Dome Theatre with
a capacity of 328 persons has a screen which is 10 times
larger than 35mm used in regular theatres. The
Theatre is now running the Film EVEREST which is filled
with fascinating information about how this mountain
was formed and continues to evolve. Filmed in breathtaking
IMAX photography, the EVEREST Film Expedition brings
the story of the tallest Himalayan peak and one of humanity’s
greatest adventures to the largest motion picture screens
in the world.
EVEREST is engrossed with interesting
& knowledgeable information about how high-altitude
challenges a climber’s physical and mental capabilities,
and how Sherpa culture and tradition permeates the Mount
Everest experience. But EVEREST is also a rich,
dramatic story about the relationship between a group
of daring human beings and the mountain they love, respect
and sometimes fear.
The
film illustrates the combination of awe and seductive
danger that has inspired scores of climbers to reach
for the mountain’s summit and is a powerful, absorbing
adventure boasting a strong emotional component and
amazing visuals”. The film provides an out of
the world experience to be as close to the peak as you
can get without doing it yourself. So, be at the Science
City to virtually climb the Mt. Everest.
Virtual Expeditions (Flight Simulator): 30 seater Flight Simulator provides
visitors a sense of adventure through virtual expeditions
to Sun and Space. The visitors have a fantastic
real life experience as if zooming through the stars
in an alien universe, making death defying leaps across
chasms or burning the formula one track in your racing
car or moving upside down as in a roller coaster.
Virtual 3-D Show: Here, you will see the objects
flying out of the screen coming in every direction;
creepy characters reaching out to grab you giving a
feeling that you are a part of an action.
Indoor Laser Show: A much hype and curiosity
exists in the minds of people regarding these types
of shows as they practically do not exist in the country.
This laser show takes visitor to the wonder land where
one would experience sudden shots of fog with mind boggling
mix of sound and laser beams.
Several other galleries set up
in the Science City arouse the interest of the public
for their uniqueness and interactive operation.
The important galleries which have been set up are:
Space Gallery (Cosmos): The gallery displays cut-view
models of satellites and various applications of space
technology. The major constituents of the gallery include;
Astronomy - our Universe; Solar System; Satellites viz.
Aryabahta, Dynamic PSLV, INSAT, IRS, ISS (International
Space Station), Indian Space Programmes; International
Space Programmes; Future Space Explorations & Programmes;
Space Applications; GIS and Satellite Communication
System.
A Mini Planetarium
has also been built which covers not only the topics
on space and astronomy, but also on Hindu Mythology,
Biology, Weather and Bird Migration etc.
Fun Science Exhibits: Around 100 numbers of assorted
interactive exhibits have been designed and fabricated
and clustered together on the basis of basic fundamental
science themes. The exhibits reflect the basic principles
of reflection, refraction, sound waves, vibrations,
illusions, primary colours, work, energy & power
etc. in a very interesting and interactive way.
Cyber Space Gallery: This gallery provides visitors
hands-on experience on internet, educational software
and also access to CD library which has material on
various topics of science.
Amazing Living Machine (Health
Gallery): In this gallery, YOUR BODY information
on the Anatomy and Physiology of human body has been
displayed. The star attractions are the DNA model and
the full body X-ray.
Kids Science Park: Kids Science Park (for
three years to eight years old children) has been established
in about 1500 sq. mtr area. The Park has skilled games
and swings, seesaws etc. generating the curiosity among
the children about the scientific principles behind
these activities.
The
Science City is now vigorously working on the next phase
of its development. The buildings for the
Energy Education and Awareness Park are almost ready.
This Park will demonstrate uses of various forms of
non-conventional energy sources.
Buildings for the four new exhibit
galleries are under construction. These buildings
will house four new galleries namely The Science of
Sports, Ecology and Environment, Health and Biotechnology,
and Emerging Technologies.
Ministry of Railways has agreed
to set up a Railway Gallery in the Science City. The
highlights of the Gallery would be a steam engine, a
children toy train and engine simulators.
Indian
Meteorological Department is installing an Automatic
Weather Station linked to the Satellite Kalpana. This
will be followed by setting up a satellite receiving
station and Weather Forecasting Information System.
The systems are likely to be operational in the next
month.
Information has been received from
the Air Headquarters that one decommissioned MIG-23
Aircraft has been approved for our Science City.
We have been assured of supply of other Defence related
items by the Army Headquarters.
Science City in collaboration with
the Punjab State Aids Control Society is launching Red
Ribbon Express Bus to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS.
The Society would financially and technically support
the Science City in this programme.
On demands
from the schools and colleges to strengthen the Botany
related exhibits, the Science City has taken a number
of steps. A Herbal Garden having 90 medicinal
and aromatic plants has been set up. The planning for
the Cactus and Succulent Garden has been finalized.
One part of the Science City will also have the trees
of Punjab, which have cultural and heritage value.
One
of the new Star Attractions would be a Digital Planetarium
to be set up for the first time in the Northern Region.
A Dinosaurs Park is being set up in the Island surrounded
by the Water Body. This Park would specifically
display the Indian dinosaurs.
As a
responsible organization, the Science City has set up
a retention pond for rain harvesting, so that water
conservation can be ensured.
Boating: In the centre of the Science
City, a large artificial water body has been constructed
with a rowing distance of about 1 kilometre. It
has an island on which an Evolution Gallery will be
established.
Restaurant:
A multicousine
restaurant and snack bar offers a wide choice and variety
of food and snacks at reasonable rates.
The Science City celebrated its
Annual Day on March 20, 2006. 14 new exhibits
were unveiled. One of its kind exhibits, Einstein Speaking,
has been displayed for the first time. Here, the
look-alike of eminent scientist Einstein explains the
famous theory of relativity in his original voice.
The Science City
received overwhelming response during first year of
its operation and received over 3.5 lacs visitors from
various walks of life against a target of 2.5 lacs visitors.
There has been an overall appreciation from the visitors,
specially the students, about the exhibits and facilities
which have been set up in the Science City.
We invite
you to visit the Science City with your family and friends
and have the exhilarating experience of virtually climbing
the Everest and enjoy the visually glorious panorama
of the view around it.
