Prof. (Dr.) Navin Sheth,
Vice chancellor, GTU

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

India is a huge country which is famous all over the world for its great culture and traditional values. Indian culture and its history is very old. Ancient India had a different identity in the world, due to which foreigners used to come here to study and do business.

Indian heritage has been very valuable and useful to the society. India has provided invaluable knowledge to society and the world in art, architecture, dance and drama, political science, economics, aeronautics, astronomy, architecture and astrology. Due to the change in time, all this enriched knowledge remained confined to our texts and books. 

The New Education Policy - 2020 again emphasizes on expanding the Ancient Indian knowledge. Gujarat Technical University resolved to present the traditions, heritage, culture etc. of ancient India in front of today's society and in this direction “DHAROHAR - GTU CENTRE FOR INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM” was founded.

GTU has entered into a MoU with Bhishma Indic Foundation under which it has been decided to start a short duration certificate programs to keep Indian heritage before today's generation. I am very happy to know that through these programs we will make today's youth aware of the ancient tradition, knowledge and skills of India.

Your cooperation is expected to restore India's heritage on the world stage. 
Best Wishes...!

Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni
ARSI Trust, NewYork

MESSAGE FROM CHIEF MENTOR

Congratulations to Gujatat Technological University (GTU) for starting the online initiative of taking the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) to the grassroots. BIF is pleased to provide a part of the funding to help the project to take off the ground.

IKS is perhaps the most ancient,  rich, open,   dynamic, and evolving knowledge system of the world.

It begins with the 4 vedas: Ruk, Yajus, Saama, and Atharva, which were intuitive expressions of the material and mental experiences of some highly evolved souls. The theory-building part began with the 6 vedaangas, described as the limbs of the Vedapurusha: Shabda-shastra (Grammar), Jyotish (Astronomy and  Mathematics), Nirukta (Etymology), Kalpa (specific rituals), Shiksha (Phonetics), Chhandas (Poetry). The 6 vedaangas evolved into 6 major Darshanas (Philosophies): Sankhya (Physics) Vaisheshik (Chemistry), Nyaya (Logic), Yoga (Psychology),Poorva  Mimaansa (More techniques), Uttar Mimaansa (Vedaanta). The last one, Vedaanta, seems to be, so far available, “theory of everything” material and mental! The explanations in brackets are rough equivalents in modern terms.

Besides these, there are many Upavedas (Sciences), including Ayurveda (Medicine), Music, Engineering, Arthashaastra (Economics and Politics), Weaponry, …. There are many additions to this system, notably Yoga and Meditation, developed in the Buddha-Jain traditions, which PM Modi has justly popularized as the IKS’s gift to the world, and the world is acknowledging it.  

It is very important that using modern technology we should make this knowledge available at the grassroots. For a deeper understanding we should see a profoundly dharmic basis running through all IKS, which, if understood, will truly transform the world for the better.