Coming soon: Science centre for underprivileged children

Nagpur: The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) will soon set up a science centre of international standards in East Nagpur to provide world-class facilities for students from economically, socially and educationally backward families.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari convened a meeting in this regard on Sunday and expressed confidence that the science centre will prove to be a boon for students from poor families.

NIT Chairman Sanjay Meena confirmed the development and told TOI that a development project report will be ready in 10 days. “Once completed, the project cost and other minute details of the centre will be finalized,” he said.
For years the Rashtrabhasha Parivar has been organizing an annual science fair, attended mostly by students of NMC-run schools. Gadkari praised this initiative and proposed the idea of having a dedicated basic science centre for students from poor families. He insisted that this centre be raised to meet international standards.
The NIT will establish this centre on one acre land in place of a closed NMC-run school in Garoba Maidan. The centre will feature exhibits of scientific experiments from India and around the world, models of Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, provide visual knowledge and foster an interest in science among students. Gadkari also suggested that a small hall be set up for students to conduct scientific experiments.
He instructed that an e-library and a mini-theatre be included in the centre. The mini-theatre, with a seating capacity of 100 to 200, could screen films on the lives of great personalities, he added.
The entire building should be powered by solar energy and include a cafeteria. Gadkari gave clear instructions to finalize the location for the basic science centre, design it with the advice of good architects, and submit the report as soon as possible. Various city development projects were also discussed during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Suresh Agrawal from Rashtrabhasha Parivar, Collector Vipin Itankar, MahaMetro MD Shravan Hardikar, NMC Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, NIT Chairman Sanjay Meena, and the education officer among others.