Growth of Science Museums in India - A Historical Perspective

6^th Dr. Fredie A Mehta and Mrs Keti F Mehta Memorial Lecture.
Growth of Science Museums in India - A Historical Perspective 

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an invitation from the prestigious CSMVS Museum for delivering the 6^th Fredie A Mehta and Mrs Keti Mehta Memorial Lecture. Unfortunately, although a museum has not necessarily been regimented to be confined to a specific subject, somehow there has not been an innate connect between the art, archaeology and cultural museums with the science museums in India. This may also stem from the fact that the science museums in India have been rechristened as Science Centres, thus further distancing the two communities of science and art museums in India. Mr Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the dynamic DG of CSMVS, who is on the board of the EC of the Nehru Science Centre, has always been advocating for a more participatory engagement between the two museums. I am therefore very happy to be a part of this engagement between the two museums and to be delivering the 6^th Fredie A Mehta and Mrs Keti Mehta Memorial Lecture on the topic Growth of Science Museums in India - A Historical Perspective. Dr F.A. Mehta, Freddie to friends, has an unique distinction to be the first recruit to the now famous Tata Administrative Service, which was conceived by Bharat Ratna, JRD Tata. Freddie earned his PhD in economics from the London School of Economics and joined the TAS in 1956 and earned an illustrious career spanning nearly 50 years with the Tata Group.

My talk scheduled for 4^th October will focus on the genesis of connecting science with people, through museums. This connect between science and society has always been a necessity for a broader inclusion of the society in the acceptance of the applications of science, and adoption of modern technological gadgets. It necessitated strengthening of the widely accepted model of learning science in a formal setting, where the teacher explains established scientific laws, concepts, and theories to her passive audience. The scientists and the society looked at other more adventurous ways of connecting science to people through large exhibitions, demonstrations etc. which led to the growth of Science Museums in England and other western countries. India too has a resonance for the genesis of the science museums and centres in India with the west. Those interested may please like to join this event by registering on the link given below.

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7n5vawZXRwK1t7ZPpORCKA