Dad's Day Out #Blogaberrycc

When I was my daughter's age, my dad would take me to the Calcutta Book Fair every winter; it was a mandatory event, despite his limited time due to work. I also remember visiting various museums with him, like the Indian Museum and the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum. I have decided that, just like he did, I will introduce my daughter to all these places whenever I visit Kolkata. So this summer, around my birthday, we took her to the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum. Luckily, my dad was there too, and I wanted to recreate the wonderful experiences I had as a child for my daughter. 

The Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM) is located on Gurusaday Road in Ballygunge, Kolkata. Started in 1959, it is the first museum in India under the National Council of Science Museums. The museum is divided into two parts. Upon entering, one would be stunned to find the aquariums and various bird cages on the left. On the right side, there is a small garden with the bust statues of various noted scientists. But the most striking artefact is a huge golden tap, made to look like standing without any support, due to illusion.

Once we went forward, we could see the bust figurines of various women achievers in science. 

We visited the museum on a Sunday, and it opens at 9:30 AM every day. We arrived at around 11 Am. The general entry fee is Rs. 60 per person; however, if you book different shows, the combined price is Rs. 90 per person. My dad wanted my daughter to experience the shows, so we decided to purchase the combined tickets for the three of us. This package includes a full museum tour, a coalmine tour, the science show, and the 3D show. Please note that a planetarium visit is available but is not included in this combined ticket.

We began our day with the Coalmine show, which started at 11 am. There was a long line of visitors, and I was pleased to see so many children still enthusiastic about visiting museums and places of interest, despite the prevalence of mobile devices and gaming. The replica of the coal mine was incredibly realistic; we had to turn on our mobile torches to navigate through the tunnel. I was concerned for my 82-year-old dad and my daughter. While they seemed quite comfortable, I found myself tripping and losing my balance frequently.

The guide began discussing the various equipment and machinery present, demonstrating their functions. What amused me most was my dad, an electrical engineer with extensive experience working in coal mines, who explained every minute detail of the machinery to my daughter, who listened intently. I found myself listening and learning as well. The 3D models were quite realistic, and aside from very small children and those with breathing problems, it’s a fantastic place to experience a real coal mine.

Afterwards, we had to wait for the science show that was scheduled to start at 12:30 PM. In the meantime, we explored the museum, which is divided into various Galleries. We decided to visit the Popular Science Gallery first, as my daughter and dad had expressed interest in it. 

There were countless experiments to try, many of which created illusions based on different scientific principles. Each scientific concept was clearly explained alongside the interactive models and mazes. The entire gallery provided a magical experience for both kids and adults. My dad took the opportunity to explain things to my daughter whenever she needed guidance, and she truly enjoyed every moment. I preferred to stay in the background, simply listening and allowing them to take the lead.

At around 12:30 p.m., the Science Show began, focusing on chemistry. We were seated in a room where the hostess showcased some fascinating experiments using various chemicals. The session was highly interactive, with a wealth of knowledge being shared, accompanied by a touch of humour that kept the audience smiling throughout. 

We had about 30 minutes before the 3D Show started, so we decided to explore the Vintage Voyage gallery. This room showcased the evolution of communication, featuring various means of communication throughout history. My dad explained the function and significance of all the now-extinct methods, such as the telegraph and the gramophone, since my daughter was unfamiliar with them.

We visited the Television Gallery, which showcased numerous models of televisions, from vintage designs to the latest high-tech versions. The room resembled a scene from Star Trek.

The 3D show started at around 2 PM. It was an enjoyable film about a group of glowworms trying to reach a spacecraft by sneaking into the helmets of astronauts. The film runs for 30 minutes. Afterwards, even though my dad and daughter wanted to explore more, I had to intervene. It was time to head home since my dad is only allowed to eat home-cooked meals, and it was already 2:30 PM, which was past his lunchtime.

The grandfather-granddaughter duo was quite disappointed, but sometimes you have to be the villain for a good cause. I know we had only covered a fraction of the museum, as we had almost 8 galleries left to check. 

If you are planning to visit the BITM, I recommend setting aside a full day for your trip. I am planning to visit the museum again with my dad and daughter during my next trip to Kolkata. This time, I intend to skip the shows and focus on exploring the entire museum, including the Planetarium.

Although incomplete, this tour was necessary for a lot of things. The primary reason was to begin the grandfather and granddaughter bonding with a great foundation, and what can be better than visiting a museum where she can learn under his guidance. After all, the best gift one can give is the gift of knowledge. 

This post was created for the Blogaberry Creative (Monthly) Challenge with the theme word Dad