In this exhibition, we will be taking a journey through how the world lived with the arrival of a new virus, COVID-19, and what vaccine trials mean for vaccine development around the globe.
This book provides an in-depth analysis of vaccinology and the science and engineering behind developing vaccines.
Initially, the exhibit will be displayed at the National Science Centre in Delhi until June 2023, after which it will travel to Nagpur, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata.
This exhibit will also be travelling to rural northern India as part of a Mobile Science Exhibition.
This exhibition was developed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in collaboration with Science Museum Group, London, and supported by Wellcome, UK, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the British Council in partnership with NCSM.
As the story begins, Edward Jenner, a British physician and scientist, invented a smallpox vaccine in 1796, which arrived in India in a rather royal manner. This may have been the only way the British could encourage people to remain safe. As a salute to the vaccination, one of the three Mysore queens in an oil painting up for auction at Sotheby’s recently displayed her left arm. This painting was used to promote smallpox vaccination, and there are animation clips to tell the story of the royal women.
French microbiologist Louis Pasteur opened the door to vaccine development in the laboratory in the 1880s. Still, June Almedia, a pioneer in microscope imaging, discovered the human coronavirus in 1964. As a result of its crown-like halo, the name Coronavirus was given to it by Maya Almedia.
As Rajiv Bahl, director general of ICMR, stated at the exhibition’s opening on Tuesday, “Science must reach the people, not just the people know about science.”.
This exhibition is divided into sections, including ‘Designing a New Vaccine’; ‘Trials, Results and Approvals’; ‘Scaling Up and Mass Production’; ‘Vaccine Rollout’ and ‘Living with COVID’. Dr Pragya Yadav, head of the Biosafety Level 4 lab, ICMR-NIV (National Institute of Virology), Pune, is displaying her hazmat suit, which brings to mind her testimony of staying zipped in the case for five to six hours a day and having to decontaminate and shower three times before exiting the laboratory.
Moreover, we salute Manish Kumar, the 33-year-old sanitation worker at AIIMS in Delhi who became the country’s first Coronavirus vaccine recipient.
A sculpture entitled ‘Through the Lens’ depicts a swirling vortex of corona warriors – scientists, researchers, and health care providers. Sushant Kumar, a Delhi-based sculptor, collaborated with Nigel Townsend, a London-based playwright, to create the artwork commissioned by the British Council. Mirrors atop the vortex allow the viewer to see themselves in a broader context and better understand their role in the bigger picture.
British Council Chief Executive Scott McDonald says, “Our job is to build connections, understanding, and trust between people around the world.” The content of this exhibition is based on science, but it is enriched by the use of art to make it more humane. We created a video to demonstrate that better solutions can be achieved when culture is linked to science.”
