The Creative Museum Designers (CMD), a wholly owned Section-8 company of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, for the development of India’s first Polar & Ocean Museum. The signing ceremony was held at the CMD, Kolkata, in the presence of Dr. Thamban Meloth, Director, NCPOR; Dr. Rahul Mohan, Scientist G and Group Director; Dr. Avinash Kumar, Scientist E & Scientist-In-Charge, Outreach and Cooperation; and Shri Ravikant Sharma, Scientist E & Scientist-In-Charge, Estate Section. Representing CMD were Shri Amitabh, Managing Director, CMD; Shri Subrata Kumar Mishra, Advisor to MD, CMD; Shri Nataraj Dasgupta, Curatorial Expert, CMD; Ms. Deblina Chakraborty, Curator; Ms. Pallabi Karmakar, Production and Design Executive; and other officials associated with the project. The proposed Polar & Ocean Museum will be established at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) campus in Goa and is envisioned as a landmark institution dedicated to communicating the science, history, and significance of India’s polar and ocean research programmes. Located along the scenic coastline of Goa, the museum will be developed in accordance with international museum standards and designed as a highly immersive and experiential learning destination. Through innovative exhibits and engaging experiences, visitors will embark on a fascinating journey through the cryosphere, polar environments, oceans, and India’s scientific endeavours in these extreme and strategically important regions. The museum will feature state-of-the-art technologies including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), immersive multimedia environments, interactive exhibits, dynamic projections, and innovative storytelling techniques to create a highly
engaging visitor experience. Moving beyond conventional museum layouts, the galleries will adopt a thematic and narrative-driven approach, with each section unfolding a distinct chapter of exploration, discovery, and scientific achievement. Visitors will gain deeper insights into glaciers, polar ecosystems, deep oceans, climate processes, and India’s growing role in global polar and ocean research through interactive galleries on Antarctic exploration and India’s Polar Programme, archival photographic collections, outdoor installations, and a range of immersive experiences designed to engage audiences of all ages. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Amitabh, Managing Director, Creative Museum Designers (CMD), said, “This landmark project reflects CMD’s commitment to creating innovative museum experiences that communicate complex scientific subjects in engaging and accessible ways. The proposed Polar & Ocean Museum will combine science, design, technology, and storytelling to create an immersive visitor experience aligned with international standards. We believe the museum will emerge as a premier destination for learning and inspiration, highlighting India’s contributions to polar and ocean research while fostering greater public understanding of climate, oceans, and the cryosphere.” Visitors will have the opportunity to view original artefacts, scientific instruments, geological specimens, and ice-core displays collected during various polar missions, while hands-on exhibits, immersive environments, multimedia installations, and dynamic storytelling will bring the fascinating world of polar and ocean science closer to the public. The museum is envisioned as a contemporary centre for science communication that combines education, innovation, art, and technology to present complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible manner, inspiring future generations of researchers, scientists, and explorers. The museum is expected to emerge as a major attraction for students, researchers, tourists, and science enthusiasts while strengthening public understanding of polar environments, oceans, climate systems, and India’s contributions to global scientific knowledge. About NCPOR: The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) was established as an autonomous Research and Development Institution of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (formerly Department of Ocean Development), Government of India on the 25th May 1998. With a mission mandate that is quite challenging, the Centre is designated as the nodal organization for the co-ordination and implementation of the Indian Antarctic Programme, including the maintenance of India’s permanent station in Antarctica. Spread across 147,660 sq. mts sprawling area, set atop a picturesque plateau, NCPOR is located in India’s most seafaring state of Goa. At NCPOR the scientific mandate is multidisciplinary. Operating in a complex matrix, which has as its focal theme, research in those areas of the polar science currently not being undertaken by any other institution in India. In a rapid stride, not only have the basic infrastructure and computing facilities been established, but also true scientific recognition earned. About Creative Museum Designers (CMD): Creative Museum Designers (CMD) is a Section 8 Company under Company’s Act 2013, guaranteed by National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The main objectives of CMD are to conceptualize, design and development of Exhibits, Exhibition Galleries, Museums, Science Centres, Planetaria and such other Knowledge Centres on turnkey basis. With the fast-growing demand of creating Science Museums, Planetaria, Science Expositions and such other Knowledge Centres, a need was felt to create a company which can cater to the demand of this growing market segment. National Council of Science Museums (NCSM),
being a long-time player in this field, was entrusted by the Government of India to create a completely independent company based on its experience in this field. Accordingly, Creative Museum Designers (CMD) has been formed as a company under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956. The purpose of the company is to provide one stop solution for all museum needs, be it a science museum or a science centre or an archaeology/history museum or a panorama, planetarium, Science Park or any other edutainment facility. CMD targets to undertake and manage projects by a group of experienced and seasoned professionals from different disciplines of science and engineering, museology, arts, finance, administration, public relations and management. CMD works to develop architectural plans for new museum/science centre buildings, conceptualize, design and develop exhibits and exhibitions, conduct training in different aspects of museum professions, including writing/editing of scripts/labels and extends guidance in strategic planning.
