Safdarjung Railway Station: October 30, 2007 – A mobile exhibition on a train called “Science Express” which is to visit 57 towns across India in 7 months to propagate scientific temper, has been flagged off here today by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Before launching the train froam the Safdarjung Railway Station, Indian Prime Minister said:

 "Science Express will travel the length and breath of this country to propagate scientific temper. This train will build new bridges of understanding between India and Germany; it shall propagate science among the youth of India and shall cover each and every state."  

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said:  

"I am delighted to be here to celebrate with you today. This is going to be a fascinating rolling science exhibition."

Merkel started her official visit to India on Tuesday morning with an inter-services ceremonial guard of honor at the red sandstone presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Pratibha Patil and Manmohan Singh received her.

Merkel spoke on the growing relations between Germany and India on her first visit to India since she became chancellor over two years ago.

Merkel, who is a scientist, underlined that in a world of six billion people, she was deeply convinced that one had to make good use of all that science had to offer to ensure people lived without poverty, with prosperity and without destroying the planet.