2nd June 09
Station: Delhi Safdarjung
State: Delhi
Exhibition dates: 28.05.09 to 30.05.09
Visitors: 1498

The Sciencexpress reached its last destination of the second phase, Delhi Safdarjung, from where it had started its journey. Here, it received welcome from Mr. Anuj Sinha, Scientist ‘G’ & Head, Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad, DST; Mr. Chander Mohan, Scientist ‘F’ & Director, RVPSP, DST and Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma, Station Manager, Delhi Safdarjung.

The Joy of Science lab activity continued here, too, with 179 students and 19 teachers participating in its activities. A quiz competition was also organized for the students.

The Valediction of the Sciencexpress was organized on 30 May 2009 at Delhi Safdarjung railway station. This function was attended by many guests and dignitaries, who also visited the exhibition and encouraged the team members.

Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, Honourable Minister for Science & Technology, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest at the function. The Guests of Honour were Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, DST; Er. Anuj Sinha, Scientist ‘G’ & Head, DST; Dr. M. K. Bhan, Director General, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research; Dr. S. Brahmachari, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Mr. B. D. Garg, DRM. Mr. Dilip Surkar, Executive Director, VASCSC conducted the function. The guests were welcomed with flowers and memento by the Sciencexpress team.

Er. Anuj Sinha delivered the welcome address and briefed the guests on the accomplishments of the Sciencexpress exhibition. He expressed his gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister for accepting the invitation to be the Chief Guest of the event at a short notice.

The Sciencexpress team members shared their experiences on the Sciencexpress with the audience and felt that this experience would be helpful to them in the future. Mr. Dilip Mirzapure, Project Coordinator, Sciencexpress; acknowledged the Department of Science and Technology and Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre for providing him an opportunity to coordinate and manage the prestigious Sciencexpress project.

The Sciencexpress mobile exhibition has created many records and has four entries in its name in the Limca Book of Records. The certificates of these records were presented by the Hon’ble Minister to the Secretary, DST.

The team was proud to have the Hon’ble Minister join them; as he had taken up the charge of the ministry only 24 hours ago and it was his first official appearance at a public function. The Hon’ble Minister, in his address, congratulated the team on its tireless efforts and said, “If India has to be a major global power, the next push has to come through science. India needs knowledge based economy.”

Mr. Dilip Surkar informed the joyous audience: “Today the Sciencexpress has completed 399 days, 32000 km, covering over 100 cities during its journey and has received over 35 lakh visitors, with the hands-on labs on board receiving over 32,000 participants, which is a record in itself. VASCSC proposes to launch the third phase of the Sciencexpress from Ahmedabad on 12 August 2009, which is Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s birth anniversary.

The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks by Mr. Chander Mohan, Director, RVPSP. He extended his thanks to the Chief Guest of the function and the other guests present and above all, the citizens of India who visited the exhibition in large numbers and made it a grand success.

29th May 09
Station: Roorkee
State: Uttarakhand
Exhibition dates: 25.05.09 to 27.05.09
Visitors: 17456

After Uttar Pradesh, the Sciencexpress reached Roorkee in Uttarakhand. Roorkee is the second last halt of the Sciencexpress in its second phase. At Roorkee, it was inaugurated by Mr. Rahul Jawrewal, Assistant Divisional Engineer, Northern Railway, Roorkee. He gave an encouraging feedback: “The exhibition is very enthusiastic and excellent. I think it will be more useful if at least two coaches could be used by the young students for performing the experiments.” The Joy of Science lab also received a good response with 416 participants enjoying its activities.

Roorkee is known for Roorkee Cantonment, one of country's oldest cantonments and the headquarters of Bengal Engineer Group since 1853. It is a well-known centre of education and research. It is best known for Indian Institute of Technology. It also houses several government research institutes like Central Building Research Institute, Irrigation Research Institute, Irrigation Design Organization and National Institute of Hydrology. Other institutes in Roorkee include College of Engineering, Quantum School of Technology, Roorkee Institute of Technology, Bishambhar Sahai Law Institute, Roorkee College of Pharmacy, Roorkee Institute of Management Sciences, K L D A V Degree College, B S M PG College, S D P C Girls' College, Methodist Girls' Degree College, Roorkee Degree College and District Institute of Education & Training.

27th May 09
Station: Moradabad
State: Uttar Pradesh
Exhibition dates: 22.05.09 to 24.05.09
Visitors: 9108

Moradabad was the last halt of Sciencexpress in Uttar Pardesh. Here, the Sciencexpress was inaugurated by Prof. R. K. Mittal, Vice Chancellor, Tirthankar Mahavir University, Moradabad. Mr Chander Mohan, Director, NCSTC; Prof. J.S. Ruhela, Ex. Vice Chancellor, BIT Ranchi and Prof. Kuldip Singh were also present on this occasion.  Mr. A.C. Bajpai, Additional Commissioner, Commercial Tax, Moradabad Zone also visited the exhibition.

The Joy of Science lab registered 384 participants. A quiz was conducted for the visitors in which 43 students participated.

Moradabad town is the district headquarters of Moradabad district. It was established by prince Murad, the son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; as a result the city came to be known as Moradabad. It is famous worldwide for brass works and glassware.

Institutions of higher learning in Moradabad include Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad Institute of Technology, College of Engineering and Technology, Tirthanker Mahavir Engineering College, Hindu College, Wilsonia Degree College, R S D Degree College, M H Degree College, K G K College, etc.

23rd May 09
Station: Rae Bareli
State: Uttar Pradesh
Exhibition dates: 18.05.09 to 21.05.09
Visitors: 19623

The second station in Uttar Pradesh was Rae Bareli. Here, the Sciencexpress was welcomed by Mr. Surendra Singh, Commissioner, Rae Bareli and Mr. S. P. Singh, Station Superintendent, Rae Bareli. Mr. S. P. Singh wrote the feedback: “Splendid! Excellent! No words for appreciating the utility of this train. Science and technology is the base of our future, our step towards progress starts from science. Thanks to all associated with this project.”

The Joy of Science lab recorded 228 participants. The Interactive Sky Programme and Science Hands-on Activity were conducted by the Sciencexpress team at New Standard Group of Schools. 38 students and 4 teachers participated in the programme and appreciated it.

Rae Bareli is the administrative headquarters of Raebareli District. Agriculture, animal husbandry and small scale industries mainly provide means of livelihood to the residents here.

21st May 09
Station: Gorakhpur
State: Uttar Pradesh
Exhibition dates: 14.05.09 to 17.05.09
Visitors: 17761

The Sciencexpress travelled from the state of Bihar to Uttar Pradesh. The Sciencexpress halted at Gorakhpur Cant. railway station. Here, it was inaugurated by Mr. U.C.D. Shrem, General Manager, North East Railway, Gorakhpur. He gave the feedback: “I am glad to visit this train run by the Indian Railway and DST. This would promote science and engineering all over India. People would also know the developments in India. Excellent arrangement. I wish them success.”

The Joy of Science lab received 658 students and 34 teachers. The Interactive Sky Programme and Science Hands-on Activity were conducted by the Sciencexpress team at Metropolitan School in which 140 students and 6 teachers participated and at Gorakhpur Public School in which 70 students and 5 teachers participated.

Gorakhpur is situated in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, near border with Nepal. It is named after a renowned saint, Gorakshanath. Some educational institutes situated in Gorakhpur include Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Madan Mohan Malaviya Engineering College, Institute of Technology & Management, B.R.D. Medical College, Purvanchal Dental College, St. Andrew's College, D.A.V. Degree College and M.G. Degree College.