Dateline Ayodhya 6th December. Again. The 6th time since. And so come memories of a day, that changed many a rulebook of Indian politics and democracy. Courts Dishonoured, Secularism butchered and democracy given a go-bye. a looking back into the events of 1992 Saffronisation of books Education BJP Style	Science Science Show International science meet at science city Calcutta Economics Golden handshake Govt of India is sincerely pursuing the policies of IMF and WB. No new employment.. shake away the existing ones..

by Sangram Guha

Calcutta will experience the spectacular Science show from whole of the world in January of next year (1999). " World Science Centre Congress", the greatest hand to hand science demonstrations of all around the globe will come to Calcutta for sharing their experiences. 'Science City' of Calcutta, the mark for excellence of whole Asia, is the official venue of this event. Five days congress will begin at 11th of January, 1999 and will be continued upto 14th.

The Science Centre is the premiar idea of this century and Dr. Frank Openheimer, brother of noted physicist Robert Openheimer, was introduced this handshaking demonstration idea at 1969. He termed this idea as 'Exploratorium', which means 'Come and Explore the genesis of science in your own hand'. He progated his idea throughout the world. But at that time United State Government identified him as the agent of Soviet Communist Party and scrapped his idea. However, Openhiemer was proud for his idiological belief and determined to work for the benefit of common people. In that year at San Fransisco of United States, he managed to set up a small science centre and this was the first science centre of the world.

India is the second country of the world who took initiative to set up Science centre and propagating that idea of 'Exploratiorium'. In the year 1980 only two countries of the world, USA and India, have the facility to share this exciting experience. Europe and Japan moved on this idea in latter part of 80's

The first World Science Centre Congress was held at Helsinki at 1996. It was really a life-time experience for whom, were participated that.

Calcutta was chosen as the venue of 2nd World Science Centre Congress for many reasons. First of all to give honour to the existing biggest Science centre of Asia, Second regarding the networking and research motivation of science popularisation, Calcutta has a tremendous contribution.

When I talk to Dr. Saroj Ghosh, eminent biologist and Chairman of Science City - Calcutta, Director - General of International Council for Science Museum, he expressed great concern over that forthcoming event. He said, it is the only platform of the world where every country get the opportunity to exchange ideas, can share the new and innovative experiments from throughout the globe. About 400 delegates from 50 countries round the world will participate in this congress. Noted experts from United State, Finland, Mexico, Australia, China will grace the event. He pointed out that, in this year 2 new items are included in the Congress. One is, stage demonstration of scientific experiments. It is really a colourful show and USA, China, Austrialia, Isreal, Finland and India will participate in this event. The other one is 'Hands on Workshop'. In this event all the experimental tools will provided to the experts. They will create absolutely new idea from that.

Dr. Ghosh told me that, Dr. Philip Morison, emiritous professor of physics in MIT, USA and Phylys Morison, his wife, also professor of MIT will give the key note address before the congress. More than 100 dignitories around the world will deliver lectures on different topics.

There will be various sessions for public attention. These are "Exhibit to remember, Demonstration to remember, how to build up Science Centres without money, how to build up big Science Cities, Science Centres for society, science centres in education system" etc.

Mayor of Calcutta Mr. Prasanta Chatterjee is the official host for this congress. Already he had sent all the invitation throughout the world. Participants will stay at "A" category hotels in Calcutta, Taj Bengal, Grand Hotel, Great Eastern Hotel etc.

Every evening, during the congress, in the Galaxy Auditorium of Science City, Indian Cultural show will be performed. Among them Folk dance, Classical and Instrumental dance, Magic show by P.C. Sarkar will be the chief attraction.

However, Govt. of India did not participate in this event due to undisclosed reason. Previously they acknowledged it, but presently BJP lead ministry announced that they would not participate in this event. Science City, Calcutta independently mangae this event by their own source.