In the heart of Central Mumbai stands a revolutionary building where children are encouraged to break free from traditional constraints and explore the world through play, discovery, learning, and growth. The Museum of Solutions (MuSo), inaugurated last month, promises to transform the landscape of children’s museums in India. This 10-storey facility, located in the Kamla Mills Complex in Lower Parel, is the brainchild of Tanvi Jindal Shete. Backed by the Jindal South West (JSW) Foundation, which invested nearly ₹210 crore in the project, MuSo aims to inspire children to think innovatively and experiment creatively.
Traditional schools often emphasize rules and rote learning, discouraging curiosity and innovation. However, MuSo is designed to do the opposite. Here, children can ask questions, get their hands dirty, and engage with their surroundings in a meaningful way. This not-for-profit museum seeks to galvanize the spirit of change in young minds, empowering them to become agents of positive transformation.
Tanvi Jindal Shete, daughter of industrialist Sajjan Jindal and director of the JSW Foundation, spent two years visiting children’s museums around the world to gather insights and inspiration. She cites OliOli in Dubai, the Exploratorium in San Francisco, and Experimentarium in Denmark as key influences. “Adults have failed to solve the world’s problems. So, why not let children try?” Shete’s vision is to create an experiential and educational environment that encourages children to look beyond textbooks and imagine a world of possibilities.
Abha Narain Lambah, a conservation architect, praised the museum’s unique model. “The Museum of Solutions is a unique model, creating an experiential and educational experience for children that encourages them to look beyond textbook rote learning, and opens up their vision to a world of possibilities… I love the fact that this empowers them to design solutions for their own future as they are the inheritors of our planet,” she said.
Stepping ‘Out of the Box’
MuSo’s three main activity floors each offer a distinct theme and experience. The Play Lab, focused on air, invites children to engage with simple yet magical scientific principles. Here, scarves are propelled through tunnels by air, making concepts like velocity clear and memorable through hands-on play.
The Discover Lab, located a floor above, is dedicated to water. It features interactive exhibits and activities that explain the importance of water and the challenges related to its preservation. A highlight is “Puddles – The Turtle Story,” an immersive film narrated by Jackie Shroff and Dia Mirza, which follows a sea turtle’s journey and highlights the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. “The immersive film made by Amoghavarsha J.S. is a wonderful way to teach young people the magic of the deep blue, and the plastic pollution marine life is contending with,” Mirza remarked.
The Make Lab is a haven for creativity, offering children the tools and space to design, build, and innovate. Activities include 3-D printing, carpentry, photography, film-making, laser cutting, podcasting, and metal fabrication. The Grow Lab, on the other hand, focuses on sustainable living practices, with workshops on beekeeping, composting, gardening, and sustainable farming.
Inspired Learning and Community Engagement
MuSo employs a young and dynamic team of architects, designers, museum educators, and students of art and design. The museum is committed to making its resources accessible to children from all communities, including the underprivileged. Special initiatives, such as ‘Free Mondays,’ aim to reach over 50,000 children annually. Additionally, the museum plans to host around 250 school groups each year and establish the MuSo Changemakers Council, a leadership training program for Mumbai’s youth.
The museum’s influence extends beyond its walls, with plans to bring its innovative ideas to local schools. “We have teachers asking us to bring our ideas to their schools,” Shete said. The museum’s collaborative and inclusive approach ensures that it serves as a beacon of inspiration and learning for all children.
Entry to the Museum of Solutions is ticketed at ₹750, with free admission on Mondays. This initiative represents a bold step forward in children’s education and empowerment, offering a space where young minds can explore, innovate, and grow. Through MuSo, Mumbai is setting a new standard for children’s museums in India, fostering a generation of curious, creative, and conscientious thinkers.