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One of the prime attractions of Kolkata, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM) is the first scientific and industrial museum in the country. Located on the Gurusaday Road, this famous museum was set up and opened to the public officially on 2nd May 1959. Initially, this place was known as Birla Park and within three years it was converted into a museum. This museum is a popular tourist attraction known for its galleries and 3D shows arranged in the premises of the museum.
Under the influence of Dr. B.C. Roy, Birla Park was transformed into the Birla & Technological Museum in the year 1956. At that time the entire property was handed over to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru by G. D Birla to construct the museum. This museum is also the pioneer of the Mobile Science Exhibition (the first exhibition on wheels). With the growing chains of satellite centers, galleries, and diverse activities, BITM is now the place where science illustrates itself through means of collective and animated models. It is a wonderful and must-visit place for all the science admirers out there.
History of Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata:
This museum had set up on the building that was owned by the Tagores and Meera Devi. In the original building, the fourth child of Rabindranath Tagore had spent her quality time and her childhood days. Later, this property in the year 1919 was sold to G.D. Birla by Surendranath Tagore. The building was then converted to Birla Park. The Birla Park was visited by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Motilal Nehru, and Pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya. It was here in Birla Park where Chiang Kai-Shek met Mahatma Gandhi.
The building was rebuilt by the hired architect N. Guin and Co and was converted to what presently it is today. In the year 1956, Dr. BC Roy (the Chief Minister of West Bengal) wanted to construct a science museum in the country to help in the growth and development of industry and technology. Then Sri GD Birla handed over the property to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and assisted Dr. BC Roy to make his dream come true.
The whole transformation of this place from the park to an amazing museum took nearly 3 years. The BITM was inaugurated by the union minister, Professor H. Kabir in the presence of Dr. BC Roy, Prof. MS Thakur, and Sri BM Birla.
Galleries At Birla Industrial & Technological Museum:
Birla Industrial & Technological Museum had galleries on Petroleum, Electricity, Nuclear Physics, Metallurgy of Iron, Steel & Copper, Electronics, Optics, and Television. Later, many new galleries opened up one by one such as Motive Power (in 1962), Communication (in 1963), Mining (in 1964), Popular Science (in 1965), Transport (in 1973), Underground Mock-up Coal Mine (in1983), and Atom (in 1984). But with the passing years, many of these mentioned old galleries have either been completely renovated or replaced with new galleries in keeping with the changing public expectation from Birla Industrial & Technological Museum. Now, the museum has galleries like Fascinating Physics Gallery, Transport Gallery, Motive Power Gallery, Life science Gallery, Children's Gallery, Mining Gallery, Communication Gallery, Mathematics Gallery, electronics Gallery, TV Gallery, etc.
Facilities at Birla Industrial and Technological Museum:
Other than various galleries there are many facilities offered to the visitors in order to enjoy the beauty of this magnificent museum.
• A huge library has been built inside the museum, which comprises a variety of books, CDs, journals, and movies related to the field of Science and Technology.
• There is an auditorium that is fully air-conditioned offering a seating capacity of 210 people inside the museum.
• Many shows and programs are organized here for students as well as adults visiting the place.
• There are an AC conference room and a large hall for showcasing a cafeteria and exhibits.
• There is a mock-up underground coal mine on the museum’s premises, which was set up in the year 1983 and is famous even today.
Tips For Visiting This Museum:
• Visitors should maintain discipline inside the museum premises and should not touch the models kept on display without permission.
• Visitors can take a combo ticket available at the museum, which includes the entry fee for the 3D show, science show, and coal mine.
• There is a canteen selling snacks and drink on the top floor of the museum. Visitors can try the Bengali thali here.
• The Liquid Nitrogen show organized here is one of the must-see shows in the museum.
How To Reach Birla Industrial Technological Museum:
As the museum is situated on Gurusaday Road of Kolkata, it can be easily reached by any public or private transportation like taxi, bus or auto-rickshaw. There is ample parking space provided at the museum. So, one can even drive down here in a private vehicle or bike.
Additional Information For The Visitors:
The museum is open all day in the week from 9.30 am to 6 pm. It is open even on Sundays and other holidays except on Doljatra and Kalipuja. The entry fee for the museum-
• General- Rs 30/-
• Group of 25 people or more- Rs 25/-
• School groups- Rs 20/-
• Government School groups- Rs 10
