New Delhi: At first glance, Nirmal seemed like any other grandparent on kid duty at the National Science Centre. However, on the second floor, in a gallery glowing with colour and curiosity, she found herself feeling more curious than her grandson.The 67-year-old Nirmal stood before a glowing interactive panel marked with labels: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Neutron. She touched Alpha and she saw a short beam. Beta went a little further. Neutron shot straight across. And just like that, without a textbook in sight, she understood how radiations vary in their ability to penetrate materials. “We come here for our kids, but we end up learning too,” the grandmother smiled.On June 5, the place wasn’t just another science gallery. A newly transformed permanent gallery Hall of Nuclear Power, was being inaugurated, reimagined with tech, motion sensors, AI exhibits, 3D walkthroughs and games making chain reactions seem like child’s play. This project, supported by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, aims to demystify nuclear energy and educate the public about its vital role in India’s energy landscape.“It’s not just a place for my grandson but for us too. We get something useful to discuss with them and spend time with them. And if these things weren’t there, what would make learning joyful for kids?” asked Nirmal.Spanning over 7,000 sq ft, the gallery houses 56 hands-on exhibits that walk you through everything from how nuclear reactors work to how chain reactions are controlled. There’s a corner on nuclear waste disposal, a quiz zone where three people can go head-to-head on nuclear trivia. A 3D short film gives you a view of a nuclear power plant generating electricity, and a digital “AI woman” explains complex topics with the clarity of your favourite teacher.The inaugural day on Thursday saw a mix of people of all ages. Honey crouched beside his eight-year-old son, tossing metal balls into a structure that demonstrated the Rutherford experiment. “See how some bounce back. That is what Rutherford observed,” he told his son. A few feet away, Sushma, a science teacher, guided her sons through the displays. “They are showing interest in science projects now,” she beamed. “These visuals make tough concepts click.“Amid the buzz, two models drew particular attention: a gleaming sun and a nuclear cooling tower. The sun, a shiny centrepiece paired with a touchscreen under it, had the ‘Structure’ section revealing its core, photosphere and corona; the ‘Temperature’ showing how hot each layer burned; And ‘Wavelengths’ changing the sun’s colour in real-time. Nearby, steam gently rose from the top of the cooling tower with a simple write-up making the science behind it clear: the tower releases heat as water vapour, not smoke or radiation.Inaugurated by B V S Sekhar, outstanding scientist and executive director, NPCIL, along with Umed Yadav, corporate communication head, the gallery drew scientists, educators, museum professionals and, of course, common people. “I think this is what will give people a good insight into what exactly is nuclear science and technology,” said Sekhar. “This will spur interest. That is our main objective, to spur interest and provide an elementary understanding of how nuclear technology works.“He added, “Each one from the different age groups, different age profiles and different levels of understanding has something to take away from this. From a small kid to somebody who is in Class XII looking at a career in science or engineering, all of them will have something of their interest here. I think it’s a comprehensive, balanced exhibition.”From the basics of nuclear fission to India’s roadmap for net-zero emissions, the gallery aims to make it all engaging for everyone with no scientific jargon to put anyone off. Just a colourful space that in many places just whispers “Come in. Press this. Learn something cool.”The National Science Centre is open seven days a week, from 9.30am to 6pm.
