The Ministry of Culture’s flagship initiative, “Dhara: An Ode to Indian Knowledge Systems,” has completed its first year, and it has been a resounding success. The program aims to promote and revive multiple domains of Indian knowledge systems by creating public awareness, stakeholder participation, and a framework for their promotion. During this year, 10 successful conferences were organized on various themes highlighting India’s civilizational achievements.
Objectives
The “Dhara” initiative has three main objectives:
- Create public awareness: The initiative aims to create public awareness about the rich cultural heritage and knowledge systems of India.
- Promote stakeholder participation: The initiative aims to involve stakeholders, including academics, researchers, policymakers, and the general public, in the promotion and revival of Indian knowledge systems.
- Framework for promotion: The initiative aims to create a framework for the promotion and revival of Indian knowledge systems, including developing policies and programs, creating research networks, and providing funding support.
Themes of the Conferences
One of the key themes was “Health and Wellness,” which focused on traditional knowledge systems related to health and wellness. Another theme was “Indian Astronomy,” which highlighted India’s contributions to the field of astronomy. The conference explored ancient astronomical traditions, including the use of astronomy in agriculture, architecture, and navigation. It also discussed India’s contributions to the study of the stars, including the discovery of the precession of the equinoxes and the calculation of the earth’s circumference.
The Next Phase of Dhara
The next phase of Dhara will focus on metallurgical, agricultural, and ancient economic traditions of India. These fields have played a vital role in shaping India’s history and civilization, and the initiative aims to promote and revive them. The program will organize conferences and workshops to explore these themes and their relevance in the modern world.
The Metallurgical Tradition
India has a rich metallurgical tradition dating back to ancient times. The country was known for its skilled metalworkers, who were skilled in working with metals such as gold, silver, copper, and iron. The tradition of metallurgy played a significant role in India’s economic development, and the program aims to revive this tradition by exploring its history, techniques, and applications.
The Agricultural Tradition
Agriculture has been the backbone of India’s economy for centuries, and the country has a rich agricultural tradition. The next phase of Dhara will explore this tradition, highlighting the significance of traditional farming practices, including organic farming and the use of indigenous seeds. The program aims to promote sustainable agriculture and revive traditional practices that have been lost over time.
The Economic Tradition
India has a rich economic tradition that dates back to ancient times. The country was known for its thriving trade and commerce, and its economic system was based on principles of fairness and justice. The next phase of Dhara will explore this tradition, highlighting the significance of ancient economic practices such as bartering, coinage, and credit systems.
