Nagaland University’s Multidisciplinary Research Centre (MDRC) organised a one-day national conference on “Revitalizing Indian Knowledge System in 21st Century” at the I. Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Lumami, on September 25, bringing together administrators, faculty members, researchers and students to discuss the preservation, documentation and contemporary relevance of Indian Knowledge System (IKS).
The conference featured an inaugural session, technical sessions, poster presentations and a valedictory session. In his address, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Patron Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik stressed the need to connect traditional knowledge with modern education, noting the value of experiential and learner-centred approaches. He cited traditional water-harvesting practices in Nagaland as examples of indigenous knowledge relevant to sustainable development.
Chief Guest Prof. Uday Shanker Dixit, Head of Indian Knowledge System, IIT Guwahati, highlighted multidisciplinary education under NEP 2020 and the continued relevance of traditional knowledge to contemporary education and research.
Registrar Dr. Abemo also addressed the gathering. The conference abstract book was released during the inaugural session, with 72 abstracts received from different departments, representing undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD scholars.
Technical sessions examined IKS from perspectives including science, economics, anthropology, law, political science, culture, food, medicine and ecology. The keynote address by Prof. Dixit focused on the relevance of IKS in the modern age, including knowledge contained in ancient Indian texts.
A poster presentation provided students with a platform to showcase their research, with prizes awarded in UG, PG and PhD categories.
During the valedictory session, Mokokchung DFO Rajesh Kumar (IFS), Assistant Commandant Gurpreet Kaur (IPS) and Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma (IAS) emphasised the importance of acquiring, documenting, validating and preserving traditional knowledge. Certificates and prize money were distributed to participating students.
