What’s the Leader thought
Science Centres all over the world thrive upon the engine of creativity. Early on in the development of the National Council of Science Museums, its founding stalwarts like Sri Amalendu Bose, Dr. Saroj Ghose, Sri Samar Bagchi, Sri R M Chakrabarti etc. realized that to perpetuate the science centre movement in India, NCSM has to develop a culture of creativity. Even though this culture was imbibed by them in all units of NCSM, they also felt the need to create a special unit that will dedicate itself in problem solving through innovation. This unit was called the Central Research and Training Laboratory.
It is my great pleasure to see that today, after 25 years of its creative existence, CRTL is established as a tireless contributor to the prosperity of the Council. Harnessing the future museum technologies, training the captive manpower, taking projects of national and international importance, serving as the back bone of mission critical projects ushered in by no less than the Honourable Prime Minister of India, CRTL has time and again shown that the best steel is tempered only tasting the brunt of fire. I wish it continues to act as the creative engine of the Council and create more educational facilities for the future generation that are solidly built upon well researched interface technologies and the most authenticated contents.
The future of Museums is necessary to be deconstructed from its current self; it should be more adaptable, creative and flexible, enabling it to survive and thrive in times of change. We are living in times of unprecedented social changes as well as accelerated change in technology. Growing social demands, devastating pandemic situation, major environmental issues and the digital revolution are all affecting the role of museums as part of the cultural fabric of our society. Decades of conventional trading off museums needs to be augmented with technology to tackle the changes and approach towards diversity but inclusive, reaching out to major but personalized, conclusive but open ended. Central Research & TrainingLaboratory (CRTL) is strongly motivated towards DISCOVERY, CREATIVITY, EXCELLENCE, DIVERSITY, INTEGRITY and SERVICE to step forward for fulfillment of objectives of future Museums. Central Research & Training Laboratory (CRTL), in Kolkata is the central hub of National Council of Science Museums for professional training, research and development. CRTL is engaged in the Research and Training related to development of Exhibits, Galleries and Museums. CRTL conducts workshops and Training program time to time to enhance skills of manpower engaged with NCSM’s Units and other Science Centres/Museums. The substantial growth in the infrastructure of the Science Centre network and catering the demand of developing new museums in India have generated continuous demand for technology augmented exhibits and a training for development of skill and expertise in conceptualization, design and fabrication of exhibits for meaningful communication and learning in museums. For this purpose, the Central Research & Training Laboratory (CRTL) was established as a part of the NCSM Headquarters facilities at Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata. It was dedicated to the Nation by the then Honourable President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma on 13th March 1993. Since its inception, under the leadership of former Directors, CRTL spearheaded and continues new developmental work for exhibits and exhibitions with modern technologies, new display techniques, various science communication methods enabled with IT, AI, AR-VR platforms and also using latest technologies for 2D and 3D immersive and experiencing exhibits . Educational product like inflatable dome (portable) planetarium for interactive astronomy education and Mobile Science Exhibition Bus are flagship initiatives of CRTL to promote inclusive goal of NCSM. I sincerely thank all serving members of CRTL and those who have served CRTL in different capacities for making this institution uniquely capable in making of museums with extra dimensions.