"Science Express" welcomes its one millionth visitor

February 08, 2008

Calcutta - Just three months after it was opened, the "Science Express" en route through India has welcomed its one millionth visitor. The exhibition train presents the latest developments in science and research and has proven to be a great hit with the public. Not only do thousands of schoolchildren arrive at the station each day, but also thousands of other visitors from all age groups and occupations. The "Science Express" is designed both to not only fire enthusiasm for science and research but to also create a lasting impression of Germany as a "Land of Ideas." The train is now about halfway along its 15,000-kilometre route.

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A team of 48 manages the daily logistical challenges that arise as thousands of people, of which... [more]

A team of 48 manages the daily logistical challenges that arise as thousands of people, of which around a quarter are schoolchildren and students, wait patiently to visit the 450-metre long "Science Express."

© Max Planck Society

Thousands of science enthusiasts flock to the station each day to see the inside of the hi-tech white exhibition train. Daily, it opens its doors to an average of 6,000 to 8,000 visitors - and the numbers are increasing as its journey continues. Much of this is thanks to the Indian media: in every province, not just the newspapers, but also radio and television stations issue daily reports about the train. As a result, not only are young people and students coming to see it, but also workers, farmers and merchants, often with their entire family in tow. The exhibition strongly motivates many of them to do whatever they can to ensure that their children receive a good education and perhaps even attend a university.

The success of the "Science Express - A Joint Indo-German Pathway to Discovery," which presents the latest groundbreaking research that takes current knowledge to its limits, shows that especially in a country like India, German science and technology holds huge appeal for many. "The fact that only three months after it began its journey, the "Science Express" has already welcomed well over a million visitors, completely lives up to our high expectations," says Prof. Peter Gruss, President of the Max Planck Society. "These figures show once again how attractive the exhibition is and proves that we have created a unique communication platform for 'Studying and research in Germany.' "

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The "Science Express" consists of 13 exhibition carriages, plus a generator wagon and a sleeping... [more]

The "Science Express" consists of 13 exhibition carriages, plus a generator wagon and a sleeping wagon. Together with its engine, the train is some 450 meters in length, which is why it mostly stops at stations with long platforms.

© Max Planck Society

The multimedia show, housed in 13 air-conditioned carriages, is based on the Max Planck Society's internationally acclaimed "Science Tunnel". Since the "Science Express" exhibition was inaugurated on October 30, 2007 by the German chancellor, it has opened its doors to guests in 28 Indian cities. Due to the unexpectedly large number of visitors - the record for a single day is over 48,000 - the organizers had to expand the number of assistants working on the "Science Express." Consequently, 48 employees from the "Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre" (VASCSC) in Ahmedabad are currently on board, over half of who are highly qualified junior researchers.

Large crowds are also expected at the next few stops, which include mega-cities like Chennai, Bombay, Bangalore and Delhi. The "Science Express" will be travelling through India until June 4, 2008, stopping in a total of 57 towns and cities.

For further information about this unusual train, please visit the exhibition website at www.science-express.com, where you will also find a "Science Express blog" with photos, facts and figures concerning all exhibition destinations.