Participants submit research papers in two-day seminar
Two-day national seminar was held on ‘Ancient Knowledge and Modern Innovation’ sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Chandigarh, in hybrid mode at the premises of Government Women Polytechnic College at Rehan in collaboration with the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), cell of Government College, Dehri. Representatives from 15 states and two union territories participated in the seminar that concluded last week-end.
As many as 130 participants from 30 disciplines from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, Telangana, Bihar, Gujrat, Assam, Mizoram, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and Jammu presented their research papers on various significant topics related to the IKSs.
The inaugural address was delivered by Dr Shri Krishan, a renowned IKS expert from Udaipur (Rajasthan). He focused on the vast knowledge available in our ancient texts and literature. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Gautam Sharma, retired Professor and folklorist, cultural activist and writer from Kangra district. He talked about contributions of folk traditions in Indian knowledge systems.
On the first day, two guest sessions were hosted by UGC’s IKS master trainer Bharat Dass from Sri Sri University, Cuttack (Orissa) and Prof Priya Ranjan from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun.
On the second day, sessions were conducted by Dr Arun Chandan, Regional Director, National Medicinal Plant Board, Jogindernagar and UGC’s IKS mater trainer Dr Simmi Vasistha. The guest speakers shed light on various aspects of the IKSs. A workshop session was also conducted by IKS mater trainer Dr Dinesh Kumar from government degree college, Haripur in Kangra district. He compared Indian and western knowledge systems focusing on holistic approach by Indian knowledge systems.
The valedictory address was delivered by Dr OS Sastri from Central University, Kangra. He laid emphasis on Upanishads and linked the study of physics and music and spirituality.
