Saroj Ghose, father of India’s science museum movement, passes away

A file image of Saroj Ghose
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Saroj Ghose, the founding Director General of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), and the father of India’s science museum movement, passed away at 89.

“Dr. Ghose breathed his last on 17th May 2025 at 11:35 am Pacific Time in Seattle, USA, at the age of 89. As per his wishes, his mortal remains are being donated to Washington University for scientific research,” the NCSM said in a press release on Sunday (May 18, 2025).

Ghose served as the Director General of the NCSM from 1979 to 1997. He is fondly remembered as the architect of India’s network of science centres and museums.

“He envisioned and executed the development of a decentralised model of science museums across India, making science accessible, interactive, and inspiring to millions,” the press statement added.

Ghose continued to lend his expertise after his retirement, and some of his contributions after he served as the NCSM’s Director General were the Town Hall Museum, Kolkata; the Parliament Museum, New Delhi; and the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, New Delhi.

“In his passing, India has lost a visionary who laid the foundations for a scientific temper in society through informal education. NCSM pays heartfelt tribute to his legacy and remains committed to furthering his mission of democratizing science for all,” the NCSM said.

Headquartered at Kolkata, the NCSM was formed in 1978 as an autonomous society under the Union Ministry of Culture, and administers 26 science centres and museums across the north, south, east, northeast, and west zones, including seven centres at the national level.