| Museums in Delhi |
The National Science Center in Delhi is a science museum located in Bhairon Road between Gate No. 1 and 2 of the Pragati Maidan exhibition grounds, across Purana Qila. The center functions under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), which is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. This pioneering center, which popularises science among the people in general and among the students in particular, was inaugurated on 9 January 1992 by the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. P.V.Narasimha Rao. And since its inception, the National Science Center has been rendering services towards popularising the cause of science and sceintific works.
The National Science center aims to create and develop interest of the students in the field of science and inculcate Scientific Awareness amongst them. The center also imparts teachers training to support curriculum based education at school and college level. Moreover the National Science Center organises various educational programmes for the benefit of students, teachers & society. The centre displays and demonstrates progress and achievements in various fields in science and technology.
The National Science Center can be visited from 10 a.m to 5:30 p.m on all week days except on national holidays like Holi and Diwali. The building of the National Sceince Center was designed by noted Indian architect Achyut Kanvinde. The center has a fully air conditioned and well equipped auditorium with a sitting capacity of 320. The auditorium can be used by various organisations on payment of nominal service charges. Another important facility at the National Science center is its well equipped Conference Halls, which has three sections with temporary folding partitions, where three simultaneous conferences can be held. These conference halls can also be used by organizations by paying a nominal charge.
The National Science Center has a clean and hygienic cafeteria in the ground floor of the building where visitors can have Indian and continental fast food. This cafe also serve lunch and light refreshments to large gatherings during programs that are being held in the auditorium or conference hall.
National Science Centre in New Delhi also houses a good library and an inflatable planetarium besides a souvenir shop within the museum premises where visitors can purchase key chains, t-shirts and chinaware. A visit to the National Science Centre is definitely a fun and learning experience for anybody. The centre provides a safe parking facility during working hours to its visitors and to those who come to attend the programmes in the auditorium or conference halls.
Moreover, there are many interesting places to visit in the close vicinity including Pragati Maidan, Craft Museum, Nila Gumbad, Purana Qila, Delhi Zoo, Sabz Burz, Nili Chhatri, India Gate, Ashokan Rock Edict, Nizam-ud-din’s Shrine, Khairul Manzil and so on.
For those who like shopping can visit nearby shopping venues like the Sunder Nagar Market, Connaught Place, Central Cottage Industries, Janpath, and Palika Bazaar.
The nearest railway station from the science center is the Nizamuddin railway station and Pragati maidan is the nearest metro station, whereas the Indira Gandhi International Airport is the nearest international airport from the National Science Center. Approximate time required to see the entire center is over 1 and half hours.
