The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee flagged off Vigyan Rail—Scientific Exhibition on Wheels at a function at Safdarjung Railway Station here today. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Vajpayee said that he was happy to note that the Vigyan Rail would help spread awareness about India’s progress in various fields of science and technology and help inculcate scientific temper among masses to bring them to the national mainstream. Reaching the masses through the network of Railways was the best way as the Indian Railways have played an important role in the social and economic development of the nation for over one and a half century, he added. The Prime Minister exuded confidence that the Vigyan Rail would prove to be a landmark in the history of science and technology communication in the country as also in the world. He gave an overview of the strides made by science and technology since Independence especially during the last five years of his government. The Prime Minister was happy to note that the yearlong journey of the Vigyan Rail would be a tribute to the year 2004, made the ‘year of Scientific Awareness in India’.