Chennai: A unique exhibition on board a train will travel to 57 destinations across India to encourage youths into the world of science.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will officially flag off the Science Express here on October 30.

The journey covering 57 destinations in 200 days, "will enthral everyone into the world of science," said T. Ramasai, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The exhibition is a joint initiative of DST and a chemical firm BASF.

"We hope this initiative will encourage the youths to explore scientific concepts and adopt a knowledge-based approach in their daily life," said Ramasai.

The exhibition is presented for the first time on a train, was conceived by DST, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, government of Germany and Max Planck Society.

For 25 years, reaching science to the common man has been the mandate of the Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad, a DST initiative.

The exhibition will showcase contemporary as well as futuristic research.

BASF makes chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products, crude oil, natural gas and fine chemicals.

"The Science Express is a unique opportunity for us to live up to our promise and take the fascinating world of chemistry to the masses. Through BASF Kids' Lab we intend to provide a unique opportunity, especially for aspiring students, to experience and understand chemistry, its contribution to modern day life, and the exciting careers in this field," said Prasad Chandran, Chairman BASF Group in India and Head South Asia. IANS