The Riding Soldier: Inside Guwahati Science Centre - MiG-21 Fighter Jet & Magic of Chemistry (Part 3)
MIG 21
MIG21:
As I finished turning the handles of those simple, fairy-tale-like instruments in the outdoor science park and started walking towards the main museum building, I suddenly froze in my tracks. Spreading its wings right before my eyes stood the sleepless guardian of Indian airspace, a living legend of aerial warfare—the MiG-21 fighter jet! The proud tricolor roundel of the Indian Air Force was beautifully painted on the body of this silver hunting bird.
This is not just an aircraft made of iron; it is the invincible warrior that scripted history during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the 1999 Kargil War's 'Operation Safed Sagar', and most recently in 2019, when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman brought down Pakistan's advanced F-16 fighter jet. During those bone-chilling days of the Kargil War, whenever this MiG-21 roared across the sky as a protective shield over the heads of thousands of ground soldiers like us, the morale inside our bunkers would skyrocket. Leaving the world of guns and bullets behind, I never imagined that I would discover an old friend from the battlefield like this, right here in the courtyard of science.
Atomic Model Fountain Sculpture:
Leaving behind that proud moment with the MiG-21, as I walked towards the main entrance of the building, another spectacular artwork caught my eye—a massive Atomic Model Fountain Sculpture! Built on a stone foundation with a beautiful fusion of iron and flowing water, this sculpture instantly reminds tourists that they are about to step into the vast and fascinating world of modern physics and nuclear energy. The beautiful geometric design,
Atomic Model Fountain Sculpture
representing the central nucleus of an atom and the electrons continuously orbiting around it, sparks an instant curiosity about science in the mind of any common person. This simple fountain perfectly mirrors the foundational principles of complex technologies, much like the radar systems deployed on our borders or the nuclear power that drives modern submarines!
In an era when all essential medicines and chemical supplies had to be imported from abroad into the Indian market at exorbitant prices, this great man broke the chains of slavery and foreign dependence. Harnessing the power of our indigenous plants, herbal resources, and his own tireless research, he started manufacturing world-class medicines within the country and founded the historic 'Bengal Chemicals'. If protecting the country's sovereignty at the borders as an active soldier is our duty, then visionaries like Prafulla Chandra Ray brought economic and medical independence to India from within their laboratories. This chemistry hall became not just a room of scientific formulas, but through the eyes of a soldier, a true temple of self-reliant India!
Freshwater Aquarium Gallery:
Leaving behind the charm of that atomic fountain, the moment I stepped inside the exhibition hall of the main building, a magical aquatic world wrapped in light and shadow unfolded before my eyes—the Science Center's Freshwater Aquarium Gallery! Behind the glass, in the heart of the blue water, a variety of colorful fishes from home and abroad were swimming gracefully with outspread fins. From the massive, snow-white Giant Gourami floating peacefully in a corner, to the orange Oscar Fish swimming with a majestic posture—everyone seemed like a living canvas. Moving a bit forward, I encountered the familiar aquarium residents, the golden Goldfish, and a school of fierce-looking black and albino Iridescent Sharks (Pangasius).
Freshwater Aquarium Gallery
As I placed my hands on the glass wall and followed the fish with my eyes, the restless days of my childhood came rushing into my heart. Driven by that familiar childhood habit, I spent some time making silly sounds like 'hoo, haa' from behind the glass in a futile attempt to catch their attention! Even the fish seemed to respond to my playfulness, wagging their tails and blowing bubbles as they played hide-and-seek on the other side of the glass. While watching this serene mechanism of aquatic life, a hint of exhaustion set in. With a strange sense of peace lingering in the corner of my mind, I moved forward once again in search of the next marvel of science.
Chemistry Gallery:
Leaving behind the aquatic magic of the aquarium with childhood joy in my heart, as I stepped towards the next hall, I entered a historic space—the Science Center's Chemistry Gallery. Upon entering, my head bowed in reverence before a pristine white, serene statue. He is none other than the father of the Indian chemical industry and the great patriotic scientist, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray (P. C. Ray)! This lifelike sculpture of him, researching with a laboratory test tube and flask in hand, instantly reminds one of the harsh realities of a subjugated India during the British era.
Chemistry Gallery
In an era when all essential medicines and chemical supplies had to be imported from abroad into the Indian market at exorbitant prices, this great man broke the chains of slavery and foreign dependence. Harnessing the power of our indigenous plants, herbal resources, and his own tireless research, he started manufacturing world-class medicines within the country and founded the historic 'Bengal Chemicals'. If protecting the country's sovereignty at the borders as an active soldier is our duty, then visionaries like Prafulla Chandra Ray brought economic and medical independence to India from within their laboratories. This chemistry hall became not just a room of scientific formulas, but through the eyes of a soldier, a true temple of self-reliant India!
DNA MODEL :
There were several other models in this chemistry gallery, including a double-stranded DNA Model housed inside a massive glass cylinder. The twisting, spiral staircase-like structure of DNA—the ultimate code of human life—looked absolutely spectacular under the gallery lighting.
DNA MODEL
Electroplating Exhibit model.
Right in this gallery was a live demonstration of electrochemistry—the Electroplating Exhibit model. It beautifully showcased right before my eyes how a thin layer of one metal is deposited onto another through chemical reactions. The importance of this mechanism is immense in manufacturing various protective military weapons and preventing rust.
Electroplating Exhibit model
Buckminsterfullererene or Buckyball (Carbon 60 Model):
Next, I came face-to-face with the atomic structure of a football-shaped cage of carbon molecules—the Buckminsterfullererene or Buckyball (Carbon 60 Model). Gazing at these precise, intricate geometric designs within such microscopic particles, my fascination with science multiplied manifold.
Buckminsterfullererene or Buckyball (Carbon 60 Model)
Just as this simple fairy tale of science awakened the sleeping childhood within me, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray's statue reminded me of the true strength of a self-reliant India. If standing at the border to protect the nation is my duty, then holding onto the heritage of our country's science and visionaries is a responsibility that belongs to us all. Salute to the science and brave warriors of India!
The barrel of a gun protects the nation, without a doubt, but the light of intellect makes the nation invincible on the global stage.
TRAVEL GUIDE
How to Reach:
By Train (From Guwahati Railway Station / Paltan Bazaar): You can head straight towards Khanapara via G.S. Road. The distance is only about 8–9 kilometers. The road is very smooth and straightforward. Get down at the Khanapara Bus Stop, from where you can take a toto or an auto to reach your destination in just 5 minutes.
By Air (From the Airport): City buses and shared taxis (Uber/Ola) are available 24 hours a day from the airport. You just need to tell the driver to drop you off at the "Overbridge in front of Taj Vivanta, Khanapara". From there, it is a short 8–10 minute walk to reach your destination.
Important Details:Timings: Monday to Sunday, 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM.
Entry Fee:
Online: ₹55.00
Offline: ₹60.00
Food & Accommodation: There are plenty of budget-friendly hotels and dining options available nearby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**From the Fouji's Diary:**
A soldier by profession and a solo moto-blogger by passion. Balancing the rigorous discipline of serving the nation with an endless love for the open highway, I love exploring the unseen corners of India on my Royal Enfield Classic 350, 'Dhannu'. Through this blog, I share raw, authentic travel guides and offbeat motorcycle expeditions across India from a soldier's perspective. The journey never ends... Jai Hind! 🪖🏍️🇮🇳
মন্তব্যসমূহ
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন