3D-Theatre at Regional Science Centre

Vijayawada: The much awaited 3D-Theatre to promote science and create curiosity among kids over scientific things is now becoming a reality. A sum of Rs 1.3 crore will be spent in the next six months to complete the 60-seat theatre, according to BVA Krishna Murthy, Member Secretary, AP State Council of Science and Technology (APCOST). He also spoke about the upcoming RSC at Rajahmundry.

Ten days after assuming charge, he spoke to ‘The Hans India’ at Regional Science Centre (RSC), affiliated to APCOST, here on Monday. He said his priority would be to make the RSC to be self-sufficient without depending on external funding. He announced that he would review the science exhibits in the centre and upgrade wherever necessary to make them more attractive to the visitors. The museum has now 80 exhibits which need a thorough review, he opined.

He ruled out any paucity of funds to take up works. The Member Secretary said that funding would not be a problem as “our efforts begin to give results within a few months and funding would come from different sources to accomplish other tasks. My previous experience to make some tourist spots attractive would help me achieve this task and lead the RSC on the path to success.”

Adding on he said: “It is important to find ways to make RSC an attractive place. Even if 20 per cent of the devotees visiting Durga Temple can visit the RSC, it would give an edge for the RSC. The exhibits in the museum should be upgraded totally to make them more relevant. The process should be a continuous one as any student who visits the RSC for the second time should not feel that he had watched the same exhibit again.

If efforts are put in right direction, we can make wonders,” Murthy was optimistic.Stating that the riverfront at Punnami Ghat was the more attractive place, the APCOST Member Secretary wondered the visitors could not avoid visiting near-by RSC. “We make the RSC museum and 3D-Theatre most popular recreation centres in the city soon,” he exuded confidence.

Started in 2005 at a cost of Rs three crore, the centre is one of the biggest destinations for students who are interested in science. However, the APCOST was allocated Rs 1.67 crore in the recent State budget for 2017-18. While lion’s share of Rs 1.5 crore would be sufficient enough to pay salaries to the staff, the remaining Rs 17 lakh would be of no use for the science centre’s development and scientific events, as critics analyse.

The number of students (visitors) has steadily come down. The centre opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30 am to 5 pm. On Saturday and Sunday it is open between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Monday is holiday. The entry fee is Rs 10 for private school children and others. For government school students, the entry fee is Rs 5. As against Rs 2 lakh revenue from sale of tickets earlier, the collection dropped to mere Rs 60,000 now.

By Noor Shaik