Learning science at an 'Indian village'

For 14-year-old Tannu Hangma Subba, a resident of Sikkim, thousands of children at the sprawling ground at the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), a CSIR lab, represented a ''complete India''.

Tannu has come all the way from her home state to take part in the ongoing fourth International Science Festival in Lucknow.

''It's cultural fusion... We find it difficult to communicate but we have been able to understand one another... It's an unforgettable moment in my life,'' a visibly happy Tannu says.

Tannu is among the 2,000 students, belonging to Class IX to XI from across the country, who are in Lucknow to take part in the 'Student Science Village' program.

The students were told about different small experiments of Physics and Chemistry and also about the lives and works of leading scientists.

''The idea is to reach the unreachable... We should inculcate scientific temper in students and develop an interest for research in them,'' Dr H K Tiwari, the coordinator of the event, told DH.

Tiwari rued that students these days don't show interest in pursuing science after their intermediate (Class XII).

''The students first try for medical and engineering and them opt for B.Sc... We want to tell them that science can develop their personality and also contribute greatly to the development of the country,'' he remarked.

A student of Class XI, Tannu said that she learnt about great scientists and also watched simple experiments.

Sonu, another student who has come from Bharatpur in Rajasthan, feels the same way. ''It is a memorable experience,'' Sonu told DH.

The sprawling ground of the NBRI had turned into a sea of children speaking different languages yet managing to convey their messages.

''It's in fact a complete Indian village,'' Tannu said.