Mumbai, 12 February 2024

 

Padma Vibhushan Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chancellor, Homi Bhabha National Institute and former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, inaugurated the international traveling exhibition "Vaccines Injecting Hope" at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai. The inauguration took place in the presence of Ms. Helen Jones, Director of Global Engagement, Science Museum, London, Ms. Philomena Gibbons, Associate Director of Transition & Legacy, Wellcome Trust, London, Ms. Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, British High Commission, New Delhi, Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala, Director, Department of General Surgery and Minimal Access Surgical Sciences, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital & Prof. Emeritus, B.Y.L Nair Hospital, and Shri Samarendra Kumar, Deputy Director General of the National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata, who graced the occasion as special guests. 

During his Inaugural address, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Anil Kakodkar praised the exhibition, highlighting the unprecedented acceleration in vaccine development that saw scientists globally employing innovative modern techniques, resulting in the creation of multiple effective vaccine variants within a year of the virus's emergence, effectively overpowering the virus despite its resilience.

The exhibition, curated by a team of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in collaboration with the Science Museum Group of the UK, narrates the captivating story of the creation of modern-day vaccines in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Divided into sections such as 'The Arrival of New Virus,' 'Designing a New Vaccine,' 'Trials, Results and Approvals,' 'Scaling Up and Mass Production,' 'Vaccine Rollout,' and 'Living with COVID,' the exhibition explores the scientific principles, human stories, and global efforts involved in vaccine development.

The exhibition features an artwork named 'Through the Lens,' commissioned by the British Council, reflecting on the historical and contemporary aspects of vaccination. The event highlights the collaborative efforts of Indian sculptor Sushank Kumar and London-based playwright Nigel Townsend.

The exhibition has been developed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in collaboration with Science Museum, London and with support from Wellcome, UK, ICMR, India, NIV, Pune, Serum Institute of India, CSIR, AIIMS, NIBMG, Kalyani and various other research and scientific organisation. 

Shri Samarendra Kumar, Deputy Director General of NCSM, India, highlighted the significance of the collaboration with SMG London for raising vaccine awareness, especially pertinent amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Introducing a Mobile Science Exhibition (MSE) Bus, the project aims to reach rural areas and strengthen the partnership between leading Science Museums in India and the UK.

Ms. Helen Jones, Director of Global Engagement at the Science Museum, London, expressed gratitude for the global effort in researching and archiving perspectives on existential threats, particularly focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration with the National Council of Science Museums aimed to showcase the worldwide response through stories and objects, emphasizing the success in creating vaccines and overcoming resistance. She acknowledged the substantial effort and thanked everyone involved for making positive changes possible.

Ms. Philomena Gibbons, Associate Director at Wellcome Trust, London, stated that the new exhibition emphasizes India's COVID-19 efforts, featuring local content. It also addresses global issues through various programs and digital resources to enhance public understanding of vaccine importance.

Ms. Alison Barrett MBE, Director of India at the British Council, British High Commission in New Delhi, expressed enthusiasm for the India/UK Together Season of Culture. She commended the collaboration between emerging artists from India and the UK, highlighting their creative response to the shared challenge of the pandemic through the vaccine partnership. Congratulations were extended to the National Council Of Science Museums (NCSM), the Science Museum Group in London, and the artists for their dynamic collaboration in this groundbreaking exhibition.

Special Guest Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala discussed the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted the global community's swift and effective response in creating modern-day vaccines, a departure from the traditional lengthy development process. The exhibition tells the captivating story of this remarkable achievement.

Shri Umesh Kumar Rustagi, Director, Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, expressed enthusiasm for the educational programs and interactive activities planned during the exhibition period. He invited the people of Mumbai and its surrounding suburbs to participate, emphasizing the exhibition's role in increasing understanding of the importance of vaccines in saving lives not only during the COVID-19 era but throughout history since its development.

The exhibition will subsequently travel to Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru (September 7, 2024 - February 28, 2025), and Science City, Kolkata (April 12, 2025 - September 30, 2025).

 

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(Source: Nehru Science Centre) | PIB Mumbai | NJ/ DR

 

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