Today, on July 20, Mr. Sumit Kumar Singh, Honorable Minister, Science, Technology and Technical Education Department, Government of Bihar inaugurated the Sub-Regional Science Centre and Innovation Hub at Bodh Gaya. This Science Centre has been developed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Government of India for Bihar Council on Science and Technology, Science, Technology and Technical Education Department, Government of Bihar.

In his inaugural address, Honourable Minister Mr. Singh expressed his happiness and said that “This Science Centre will surely help in the promotion of science among the people of not only Bodh Gaya, the city of knowledge, but also entire Gaya and nearby districts, and especially in increasing the interest and scientific temperament of students. Students and young scientists from nearby schools will also be benefited from the Innovation Hub of this Centre. It is expected that this Innovation Hub will prove to be a milestone in inculcating the culture of innovation among the local people here”.

While expressing his views, Mr. Lokesh Singh, Secretary, Science, Technology and Technical Education Department,, Government of Bihar said that one of the main objectives of his department is to create awareness about science in the minds of the public. This Science Centre of Bodh Gaya will certainly be helpful in fulfilling the objectives of the department and the Government of Bihar.

Speaking at the function, Dr. Thiagarajan, District Magistrate, Gaya said that not only the school and college students of the district will be benefited from the establishment of the Science Centre and Innovation Hub but also the tourists coming to Bodh Gaya will now be able to obtain valuable information about India's glorious heritage in science and technology in the Science Centre.

Mr. Samarendra Kumar, Deputy Director General, National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, stated that this Science Centre has been developed at a cost of about rupees five crore under the “Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS)” of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. 50% of the cost of the project is shared by the Central Government and 50% by the State Government. This Science Centre comprises of Fun Science, Science and Technology Heritage of India and a Children's gallery, a taramandal, a science park and an auditorium. Along with this, an Innovation Hub has also been constructed under the SPoCS scheme, which is fully funded by the Government of India. Shri Kumar further informed that so far, the National Council of Science Museums has developed and handed over 22 Science Centres to the State Governments/Union Territories apart from its own network of 26 Science Centres spread across the country.  Apart from that, 42 Innovation Hubs developed by the National Council of Science Museums are also operational in different parts of the country.

The “Fun Science” gallery includes hands-on exhibits on various topics such as fluidics, sound, optics, rolling balls, illusions, etc., illustrating various scientific principles. The "Science and Technology Heritage of India" gallery, on the other hand, shows how, over time, a rich scientific and technological culture has developed on Indian soil along with art and literature. Children's Gallery inspires children to learn while playing. The taramandal of the Centre is expected to generate interest in astronomy.

The centre has a Science Park with 21 fully interactive exhibits, covering the life and works of some of the leading Indian scientists along with various scientific principles like vibration, mathematics, perception, sound etc. It is an exhibition without walls that provides visitors, especially children, an opportunity to not only explore scientific principles while playing in the park but also to understand science through play.

The Innovation Hub of the Science Centre is a multi-dimensional laboratory equipped with various equipment. This facility will promote creativity among the youth and inspire innovations. This will not only ensure more effective utilization of the Science Centre, but also redefine its use and role in promoting problem-solving and project-based learning. The facility will provide hands-on learning and engagement to the students in the process of science, technology and innovation.

The first Science Centre of this region at Bodh Gaya will reinforce science education in an informal manner and people, especially students, will learn, enjoy, and experience science easily and be inspired to adopt a scientific temper in life. Various educational activities will also be organized by this Science Centre and Innovation Hub from time to time.

The Officials of the Government of Bihar and other dignitaries of the city were also present on the occasion.