India’s science museum man Saroj Ghose passes away in US
Times of India | 19 May 2025
123 Kolkata: Saroj Ghose, renowned for establishing science centres and museums in India, died on Saturday night in Seattle, US, at the age of 89. Following his wishes, his remains will be donated to Washington University for scientific studies, his family revealed.As the founding director general of the National Council of Science Museums from 1979 to 1997, Ghose was an internationally acclaimed museologist and science communicator. He is credited with creating India's extensive network of science centres and museums."He envisioned and executed the development of a decentralised model of science museums across India, making science accessible, interactive, and inspiring to millions. His tireless efforts earned him the title of ‘Bhishma Pitamah of Indian Science Museums'. He was one of the founding fathers of NCSM and played a crucial role in designing landmark institutions such as the Science City in Kolkata, the National Science Centre in New Delhi, and the Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai," said NCSM's current head, Arijit Dutta Chowdhury.His distinguished career included receiving the Padma Bhushan in 2007 and Padma Shri in 1989. He also led the International Council of Museums in Paris as president.After graduating in electrical and communication engineering from Jadavpur University, he joined Birla Industrial & Technological Museum as a technical officer in 1958. The museum opened in 1959, where he became an essential team member.In 1965, he became BITM's leader and initiated the ‘Mobile Science Museum' at Ramakrishna Ashram School, Narendrapur, near Kolkata. This travelling exhibition followed the principle: "If children cannot come to Science Museum, Science Museum will go to them". Currently, NCSM operates 48 Mobile Science Exhibition buses nationwide.He pursued higher education in the US during the early 1970s, obtaining an MS in ‘control engineering' from Harvard University and researching at the Smithsonian Institution. Upon returning to India in 1974, he completed his PhD in engineering at Jadavpur University, focusing on electric telegraph development in India.His exposure to San Francisco's Exploratorium influenced him to introduce interactive exhibits in India, with Mumbai's Nehru Science Centre becoming the first such facility.In the mid-1980s, he spearheaded the ‘India: a Heritage of Science" travelling exhibition, which gained international acclaim across the US, France, Soviet Union, Bulgaria, China, Bangladesh, Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana.In 1992, he conceived Science City, Kolkata, a comprehensive science centre featuring space theatre, motion simulator, and convention centre. Opening in 1997 on a 50-acre plot, it remains India's most visited science centre.Post-retirement, he continued advising on museum development, contributing to projects like Kolkata's Town Hall Museum, New Delhi's Parliament Museum, Rashtrapati Bhawan Museum, and Gujarat Science City in Ahmedabad.