The day-long event was kicked off with a talk by Biman Basu, former editor of the Science Reporter magazine, on the life and relevance of Darwin.

“In the last hundred years, human beings have evolved to adapt to increasing pollution. In the next few hundred years, we might evolve into creatures that can withstand the changed environment,” said Basu, in response to a student’s query on the continuing process of evolution.

Students also expressed interest in the continuing conflict between evolution and Genesis. “Surveys indicate almost 85 per cent of the world’s population believe that human beings were created by god, and do not believe in evolution. Why is then Darwin’s theory so popular among scientists?” asked one student.

“Fortunately the debate between creationism and evolution is not so strong in India, because Indians accept the possibility of evolution culturally,” said N Ramdas Iyer, Curator and Deputy Director of the Science Centre.

Basu also encouraged students to follow the example set by Darwin and develop a keen interest in scientific study. “Darwin was a poor student in his childhood. His example should motivate students to learn science even if they do not score well,” said Basu. The Centre also unveiled an exhibition of the works of Darwin. The life of the naturalist was portrayed in the form of exhibit panels that also had pictures of the diaries he maintained through his life-long travels.

The event also had painting and open quiz competitions for school students. Students from over 14 schools in the Capital participated. A painting competition was held on the theme ‘Jurassic Jungle’ for senior students, and “my favorite Dinosaur” for junior students.

“Students know of the kind of life forms present in the Jurassic age. Birds were in the process of evolving; it was mostly an age of dinosaurs and other reptilian forms. Students have done a good job in portraying that,” said Iyer. The ten prize-winning entries have been displayed in the Science Centre’s auditorium foyer.

The celebrations will continue with monthly talks and other events for students till November 22, the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s tour de force, The Origin of Species. A science film festival on evolution, featuring the series “Holiday Lectures on Evolution” created by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA, is scheduled for the second week of April.