Bengaluru 24 August 2024 —Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) today announced a new exhibition-season that delves into Bengaluru’s rich history as India’s premier military-industrial-academic complex. The groundbreaking exhibition, Sci560, is born from the collaborative efforts of ten city-wide institutions and SGB, and is supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP), the new exhibition-season aims to cultivate a strong connection between the citizens and research institutions of Bengaluru
Shri N S Boseraju, Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka, officially inaugurated the Sci560 exhibition season today, declaring it open to public. Among the dignitaries were establishment Patrons, Rohini Nilekani and Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw board members including Pavan Kumar Malapati, Dr. Ekroop Caur, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi and Dr. Jahnavi Phalkey, the Founding Director of Science Gallery Bengaluru.
The name ‘Sci560’ combines Bengaluru’s pin code, which starts with 560, with ‘sci’ to highlight the exhibition’s focus on science. The name also subtly evokes ‘sci-fi’, connecting the city’s scientific history with a sense of exploration and innovation for the future. The exhibition-season addresses the need for a cultural conversation around research in Bengaluru by highlighting the city’s rich history in science by showcasing objects that spearheaded the city’s growth. These include exhibits about fundamental research such as the Kolar Gold Fields neutrino experiments, and Bheja Fry, an experiment to understand how certain areas of the brain code time to remember causality. Other exhibits include the world-famous Bangalore Torpedo developed by the Madras Engineer Group as well as three generations of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) manufactured by the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), alongside an old fashioned a ballot box.
Sci560 will be a hybrid exhibition that will be activated by public programmes every weekend. The opening weekend includes a quiz titled Bangalore Bytes, guided walkthrough in Kannada and English, and a public lecture on ‘Map is not the territory’. This paired with the presence of SGB’s Mediators, a team of young-adults passionate about the intersection of science and art, will bring Sci560 to life through public engagement.
Shri N S Boseraju, Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka said, “Sci560 is not just a chronicle of past achievements; it is a reminder of the power of scientific research to shape our future. The Government of Karnataka is committed to supporting initiatives that bring science closer to the public and that highlight the importance of research in addressing the challenges of our time. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rohini Nilekani for her unwavering support of this exhibition, to Jahnavi Phalkey and her team, and to all the partner institutions, researchers and artists who have helped bring Sci560 to life. The story of science in our city is still being written, and I am certain that the best is yet to come.”
Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Board Member, Science Gallery Bengaluru, said, “For centuries, Bengaluru has uniquely demonstrated a spirit of innovation and inquiry. It has been the hub of scientific experimentation and institutional excellence. For years, I have wanted to showcase this spirit to its citizens. Science Gallery Bengaluru is now the perfect public space to make this dream a reality. Bengaluru also has a rich history of blending public and private capital to strengthen the roots of its scientific ecosystem, whether it was the setting up of IISc or the emergence of the technology sector. Now is the time for the larger public, especially the youth, to engage more freely with the city’s institutions and to be inspired, to be proud, and to weft a scientific thread into the cultural fabric of our city. Sci560 is a brilliant instance of a collaborative, creative step in this direction. I am so delighted to support this exhibition.”
She also emphasized the importance of Bengaluru’s elite community coming together to support the city’s scientific and technological development. She suggested that they contribute their wealth, expertise, and innovative projects to inspire younger generations and create accessible science museums. Nilekani highlighted the need for such institutions, noting that even smaller cities in European often have numerous science museums that foster public engagement with science and technology.
“Sci560, our new exhibition in collaboration with the city’s leading institutions, explores Bengaluru as India’s most recognized military-industrial-academic complex. A dynamic twentieth century has shaped this city of new science and engineering. We invite citizens and visitors to explore some of the ideas, individuals and institutions that made this possible! We are grateful to Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies for the grant that supports this exhibition,” said Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director, Science Gallery Bengaluru.
