The exhibition arena of the Nehru Science Centre in Worli is a transformed space. For the next two months, a small step into the arena might just feel like a giant leap into the future, for displayed there are interactive prototypes of major science projects from around the world that hold the promise of ground-breaking solutions for a greener earth and a more sophisticated understanding of the universe. And what ties these international endeavours together is India's contribution to them at various levels — accomplishments that are recognised and celebrated within the community, but remain largely unknown to the common man. Vigyan Samagam — a travelling exhibition jointly organised by The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) together with the National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture — aims to change that.

It was inaugurated in the city yesterday by Dr VK Saraswat, member, NITI Aayog, who was joined by Prof K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor, Government of India, Arun Srivastava, head, Institutional Collaboration and Program Division, DAE and other members of the science community. "Though we are participating in mega science projects and several other international collaborations, [the information] remains limited to few research institutes and laboratories. Even those driving these projects may not always talk among themselves. The idea is to reach a wider audience, especially the student community, to spark their interest in fundamental science and research, which could well be a career option for them," says Ranajit Kumar, head of Nuclear Control and Planning Wing, DAE, and chairman of the apex committee that put together the exhibition that has been in the works for a year. After the Mumbai leg, it will travel to Bengaluru and Kolkata, before being permanently stationed in New Delhi.