Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 16: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today fusion of traditional knowledge with modern technology could give India an advantage over others.
The Minister -underscored the transformative potential of blending India’s ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific innovations while speaking at the celebration of five years of the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI).
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology, the event celebrated the strides made in preserving and modernizing India’s rich heritage. The Minister highlighted this fusion as India’s unparalleled strength in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded India’s heritage as a treasure trove of knowledge, with nearly 5 million ancient manuscripts, palm-leaf inscriptions, and thousands of historically significant monuments such as Konark, Khajuraho, and Chola temples etc. Each, he said, is a testament to India’s scientific prowess, architecture, and innovation. “No other country in the world has such an extensive and ancient repository of wisdom. This is our unique strength, and we must harness it to lead globally,” he remarked.
He pointed to key initiatives under SHRI, such as non-invasive techniques for heritage preservation, digitalizing the Ajanta caves, and artifact restoration. These efforts, he said, not only preserve India’s legacy but also showcase how heritage and technology can coexist to pave the way for societal progress.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the Government’s commitment to synergizing traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technologies, a philosophy consistently championed by Prime Minister Modi. “India’s journey in leveraging its heritage alongside modern science has seen milestones like the creation of the Ayush Ministry, Aroma Mission, and Hydrogen Mission,” he said. He noted the Government’s work in digitalizing traditional knowledge under the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), making it accessible for global research while ensuring its protection from misuse.
He cited examples of successful fusion, including the Lavender Revolution through CSIR’s Aroma Mission, which transformed the lives of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, and projects like Deep Sea Mission and Hydrogen Mission that draw inspiration from India’s ecological heritage. “These examples show how India’s traditional wisdom complements the most advanced scientific innovations to address today’s challenges,” he explained.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the need to integrate scientific innovation with livelihood opportunities, particularly through traditional crafts and skills. He urged greater alignment between Government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme and heritage preservation efforts. This scheme, he explained, offers training, tools, and financial support for artisans, ensuring that traditional crafts not only survive but thrive as sustainable sources of income.
During the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled a series of innovative products and technologies developed under the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI), each reflecting the initiative’s mission to blend traditional knowledge with modern science. Among the highlights was the launch of Kosh Shree, an encyclopaedic Sanskrit dictionary and article authoring tool powered by a crowdsourcing framework. Designed to facilitate collaborative creation of Sanskrit articles, this specialized software allows users to prepare and publish vocabularies and dictionary volumes online, promoting the preservation and accessibility of India’s ancient language.
The Minister also introduced Sakshatkar, a coffee table book showcasing India’s contributions to global science and technology through the ages, offering readers a captivating glimpse into the nation’s scientific heritage.
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