Dr Jitendra Singh advocates fusion of Traditional Knowledge with Cutting-Edge Technologies
This could be India's advantage over others
Minister emphasises leveraging India’s unique heritage and modern scientific
advancements to lead globally and foster sustainable development
Celebrating Five Years of SHRI: Bridging Science and Heritage for a
Future-Ready India
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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's 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).
Organised 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 five 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, digitalising the Ajanta caves, and artefact
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 emphasised 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 referred to Prime Minister Modi’s global initiatives,
such as International Yoga Day, which has been celebrated annually since 2015
with support from 190 countries. “This global acceptance of Yoga demonstrates
India’s ability to translate its heritage into universal solutions, setting a
precedent for other traditional knowledge systems to gain global recognition,”
he stated.
The Minister urged Indian scientific institutions to adopt global
benchmarks and strategies to showcase India’s achievements. “If we aspire to
lead the world by 2047, we must not only innovate but also gain global
acceptance for our work. Traditional knowledge, when scientifically validated
and marketed effectively, will become India’s most valuable global asset,” he
said.
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.
He also called for more collaboration between scientific institutions,
startups, and private enterprises to create market-driven solutions for
traditional knowledge systems. “From creating start-ups around ancient crafts
to developing AI-powered heritage conservation tools, India has the potential
to lead in innovation that respects its cultural roots,” he said.
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. A
structured yoga module for diabetes management was also released, providing a
lifestyle approach for managing adult-onset diabetes based on India’s
5,000-year-old yoga tradition. Other notable launches included the Purple
Himalayas herbal infusion, a lavender and rhododendron-based antioxidant-rich
tea.
Additionally, Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled HerbaHeal Cream and HerbaHeal
Gel, innovative herbal products designed for the effective management of
wounds, cuts, and burns, these formulations are rooted in traditional knowledge
from the Malayali tribal community of Tamil Nadu. Developed through extensive
research under the DST-SHRI project, they underscore the importance of
preserving ethnobotanical heritage while advancing modern healthcare solutions.
These innovations underscore the programme’s commitment to harnessing India’s
legacy for sustainable, impactful solutions that benefit both domestic and
global communities.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing innovative
projects supported under SHRI, for example, an advanced electronic jacquard for
handloom weaving. This cutting-edge technology, entirely developed in India,
combines a robust design with user-friendly software, empowering handloom
weavers to produce intricate ethnic and traditional textiles with ease while
preserving the rich heritage of handloom craftsmanship.
During the event, Dr Jitendra Singh experienced the “Tales of Ajanta –
VR Experience”, a transformative project that brings the timeless beauty of the
Ajanta Caves to life through cutting-edge virtual reality. Developed under the
Indian Heritage in Digital Spaces initiative by the Department of Science and
Technology (DST), in collaboration with IITM Pravartak Technology Hub and the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the VR experience leverages advanced 3D
scanning, modelling, and animation to digitally preserve and showcase Ajanta’s
intricate frescoes and sculptures. This initiative not only breaks geographical
barriers but also sets a benchmark in heritage preservation by blending ancient
marvels with modern technology, paving the way for similar projects like the
upcoming VR recreation of Ellora Caves.
As India moves toward its centenary as an independent nation in 2047,
the Minister’s vision calls for a renewed focus on aligning heritage with
innovation, creating sustainable development opportunities, and positioning
India as a leader in the global knowledge economy. “The road to Viksit Bharat
is paved with both our ancient wisdom and the futuristic technologies we
develop today,” Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded.
The event witnessed the participation of Prof Abhay Karandikar,
Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST); Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha,
Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH; Dr Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth
Sciences; Dr Rashmi Sharma, Head, SHRI and other eminent dignitaries, highlighting
the collaborative efforts across ministries to promote science, heritage, and
innovation.