Title - Science Express wows Trichy

Trichy: A special train to promote awareness on biodiversity and safe environment which chugged into the city a few days back is drawing a large number of people. A large number of students were in attendance at the Trichy railway junction on Tuesday to see the exhibits on the train, named Science Express-Biodiversity Express.SEBS, a specially designed 16-coach AC train, is stationed at Trichy railway junction from Sunday. The train, which commenced its trip from Delhi's Safdarjung station on April 9, arrived at Trichy junction on August 4 in its fifth phase of travel across the country. On the third and penultimate day, more than 21,000 students from various schools and colleges lined up at the junction station to explore the train. The experience was joyous as well as rewarding to the students. "I feel as if I was exploring the entire nation because I have got abundant information about birds, animals, society, and culture of India. I also became aware about various kinds of pollution. Henceforth, I would do my best to protect our environment particularly in our city," said K Madhanraj, a class 10 student of St Joseph School at Ayyampatti in Trichy.Ironically, the place where the train is stationed is close to Ariyamangalam composite yard where piles of garbage dumped for many years is polluting the air nearby.Teachers, who accompanied the students, felt that the visit would help the students understand concepts about biodiversity easily. "It was very useful for both the students and the teachers. The information about the consequence of deforestation, climate change and etc were highly informative and educative," Jennifer, a teacher from Periyar matriculation school, in Trichy said.

On the first day, 11,457 visitors checked into the train. The figure, which was 15,117 on Monday, surged to 21,236. Considering its popularity, a demand has been made to extend its stay in Trichy so that the students from neighbour district could also benefit.

The train will be stationed here for four days till August 7. The next destination for this special train is Koodalnagar railway station in Madurai.

SEBS is a collaborative endeavour of the department of science and technology and ministry of environment and forests.

A railway staff BK Madhavan who took his daughter to visit the train said "We got the chance to know about various things related to their subjects at one go because it is impossible to go everywhere across the country to see such things.