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 Winding its way through 56 Indian cities, the train called Science Express brought information about all forms of science to the people of India in an innovative, interactive way. Within seven months it covered 15,000 kilometers, from large cities like Jodhpur across arid deserts to villages around Chennai. It attracted a total of 2.2 million visitors from all walks of life, rich and poor – the experience was open for everyone to enjoy.

Sparking an Interest in Science

On 30 October 2007, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged off the Science Express train in New Delhi. The main purpose of the 400-metre-long moving exhibition, which chugged its way along railways the length and breadth of India, was to inspire interest in science and technology in the Indian people. It was also a physical representation of the ongoing cooperation between India and Germany in these areas, promoting what both countries had achieved throughout the course of scientific history by celebrating the works of Albert Einstein and Indian mathematician Aryabhata, among others. 

Inspiring the Young

The train was designed especially to inspire young people; it encouraged them to take interest in areas such as astrophysics, nano- and biotechnology through the fun, interactive multimedia displays in all of its 14 carriages. Scientists were on board to help engage people and explain the displays that ranged from images of the human brain to texts about black holes. They also provided aspiring scientists with information about the possibilities of studying and working in Germany. Government agencies and scientific organizations in Germany and India supported the project, namely the Max Planck Institute (MPG), the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).