Dr Saroj Ghose - The Living Legend Turns Eighty-five

Dr Saroj Ghose (1997)

Dr Saroj Ghose, the trailblazer in the Indian Science Museum scenario and the former Director-General of National Council of Science Museums from 1986 till 1997, will be celebrating his 85th birth anniversary on 1st September 2020.

Saroj Kumar Ghose was born in Calcutta in 1935. After graduating in 'Electrical Communication Engineering' from Jadavpur University, he joined BITM as a Technical Officer in 1958. While serving with BITM, Ghose earned an M.S. degree in 'Control Engineering' from Harvard University and was engaged with research work at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.  In 1974, he earned a PhD degree from Jadavpur University. The North Bengal University had honoured him by D.Sc. (Honoris Causa).

Saroj Ghose, as D.G. of NCSM, established 19 science centres at national (2), regional (8), sub-regional levels (8), and finally, the Science City Kolkata. Besides these, he had formed the NCSM Headquarters and the Central Research and Training Laboratory also in Kolkata. Some of his sublime contribution are setting up and launching of Mobile Science Exhibition (1965), Children's Science Park in Mumbai (1979), Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai – The first Science Museum with path-breaking interactive exhibits (1985), National Science Centre, Delhi – an Interactive Science Centre with Historical Perception (1992) and Science City Kolkata - the first mega science enclave in India (1997). 'India: A Festival of Science' – an exhibition on S&T Heritage of India, fabricated under the leadership of Dr Ghose, travelled the USA in 1985. Later, similar exhibitions toured USSR, France, Bulgaria, and China.

After his stint with NCSM, Dr Ghose gave shape to Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad in six phases between 2001 and 2012, Kolkata Panorama (2002), Parliament Museum (2006) and Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum (2016). The last three being storytelling Museums introduced by him in India. 

Receiving Padma Bhusan Award (2007)

Saroj Ghose was awarded 'Indira Gandhi Prize' (1988), 'Hari Om Trust Award' (1988), 'Padma Shri' (1989), 'Primo Rovis International Prize' (1996), elected 'ASTC Fellow' (1997), 'National Award' from NCSTC (2001), and 'Padma Bhushan' (2007).

Saroj Ghose held several important positions in ICOM between 1974 and 1998. (i) Vice-President of ICOM-CECA (1974-80) (ii) Vice-President of ICOM-CIMUSET (1983-89) (iii) Chairman of INC-ICOM (1984-90) (iv) Chairman of ICOM-ASPAC (1989-92) (v) Member of the Executive Council of ICOM (1989-92), and (vi) President of ICOM Paris (1992-98).

The salutations and acclamation thus received make Saroj Ghose an iconic museum professional in India and abroad.

We all wish Dr Saroj Ghose, the living legend a very happy birthday on 1st September 2020. 

Jayanta Sthanapati and Gautam Seal, the writers of this blog, have submitted a comprehensive paper titled ‘Saroj Ghose and Museums of Science, Technology and History in India’ for publication in an academic journal.