IIT-Kgp plans Vedic sciences research hub

Kolkata: A new centre of excellence is coming up at IIT-Kharagpur to research the contribution of Vedic sciences to modern learning across the globe, reports Jhimli Mukherjee Pandey.

From chemistry, physics and surgery to mathematics and economics, the centre will look into how the foundation of fundamental concepts were laid down during Vedic times and how they later became practised systems.

Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal made the announcement while inaugurating the Bharata Tirtha series of international webinars hosted by the institute to discuss ancient Indian knowledge. If all goes well, the centre — equipped with libraries, manuscript archives, seminar halls and digital facilities — will be ready in another year and a half.

“No one denies our contribution of ‘zero’ to mathematics, and there’s so much more that needs to be explored,” said Joy Sen, a senior faculty member in charge of the project.