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India.com
01-08-2025
- Science
- India.com
Holy Ghats, Clear Skies, And Stars: Why Varanasi Is India's Unexpected Stargazing Capital
Among the oldest inhabited cities worldwide Varanasi shines as a place celebrated primarily for its religious forces as well as its timeless shrines and exhilarating people. The holy city of Varanasi beyond its ceremonial value provides distinctive stargazing opportunities to its viewers. Stargazers should visit Varanasi City because its strategic location and historical astronomy background and peaceful environment surround this city. These seven points demonstrate why Varanasi becomes a perfect destination for astronomical observation. 1. Geographical Location Favorable for Stargazing The night sky lighting conditions at Varanasi are optimal because the city sits at 25.3176° N which grants viewers unobstructed access to both northern and southern celestial hemispheres. Through this advantageous location people studying the stars can view multiple constellations which include prominent patterns like Orion in addition to Cassiopeia and Scorpius. The Tropic of Cancer region near the city creates periods where clear skies provide great conditions to observe space phenomena. 2. Low Light Pollution in Surrounding Areas Despite having some light pollution from its busy urban core Varanasi presents darker sky conditions throughout its rural edges and provincial regions. The Sahajanath Ghat and Sarnath along with other Ganges River locations offer residents calm areas shielded from city illumination. Vacationers at these observation locations can watch the Milky Way along with meteor showers and other celestial events without any barriers in their sight. Nighttime observations of the sky at Varanasi ghats become especially extraordinary because of their bright lit space against the silhouetted dark riverbank. 3. Historical Connection to Astronomy For many generations Varanasi maintained its status as a hub of higher learning which encompassed studies of astronomy. The scholars Aryabhata and Brahmagupta among other ancient Indian astronomers gave substantial knowledge contributions to astronomy that the Varanasi institutions Banaras Hindu University (BHU) examined extensively. BHU serves as a scientific research center through its astrophysics programs which are provided by its Department of Physics. The long history of academic excellence at Varanasi creates a vibrant cultural environment for all those who wish to study stellar phenomena. 4. Festivals Aligned with Celestial Events Through their traditions and calendrical celebrations the people of Varanasi show extensive recognition for celestial patterns in the sky. The annual festival of Makar Sankranti receives enormous enthusiasm from locals when the sun enters the Capricorn zodiac sign. Kartik Purnima brings in numerous devotees to witness the lunar full moon in Kartik month just like the holy ghats. Local traditions value celestial elements profoundly through their festivals which provide stargazers with the chance to experience cultural observances during nights brightened by stars. 5. Observatories and Educational Initiatives Banaras Hindu University accommodates an observatory that combines telescopes with other astronomical instruments for space observation. Students along with researchers can access this research center while the overall public gets special entry permissions to view celestial events including planetary movements or eclipses. These programs serve to develop astronomers of all ages throughout the local community along with people who visit. Educational institutions in Varanasi organize workshops and lectures that provide important understanding of universe mysteries to their students and participants. 6. Unique Perspective from the Ghats Visitors can admire night sky views while sitting at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat among the famous ghats of Varanasi. People watching the stars from holy Ganges River shores get a spiritual experience from the candlelight and prayer noises performed by temple priests. Astronomy enthusiasts never forget their visits because the stars that appear on the water create an enchanting atmosphere. 7. Ideal Timing for Astronomical Events Each season in Varanasi provides special conditions for space observation depending on time of year. A crisp clean sky prevails across the winter season from November through February thus producing unobstructed star visibility. This specific time of year brings perfect circumstances to view meteor showers which include the Geminids and Quadrantids. Weather during the monsoon season remains mainly cloudy but occasionally allows people to spot special astronomical events. The mild conditions during spring and autumn create ideal conditions for having pleasurable stargazing activities under the open sky. Wrapping Up People who study stars have discovered that Varanasi offers an enchanting experience apart from its religious and traditional attractions. The city benefits from its strategic position as well as minimal light pollution surrounding its terrain together with its astronomical tradition and numerous celestial holidays which form an ideal base to study space. Visitors with an interest in astronomy and amateur astronomers alike find Varanasi to be a stargazing haven supported by its attractive landscapes and scholarly resources and cultural heritage. During your visit to this historic city be sure to appreciate the spectacular wonders that exist overhead.
The Print
31-07-2025
- Science
- The Print
Aryabhata to Ayurveda, how NEP's driving ‘academic revival' through India's ancient knowledge systems
In a modest yet vibrant setting, academicians at this South Campus college are exploring key texts of ancient Indian Mathematics to trace the origins of mathematical concepts—the Brahmasphuṭasiddhānta by Brahmagupta (c. 628 CE), the Śulbasūtras (8th–2nd century BCE) on geometric altar construction, Āryabhaṭīya by Āryabhaṭa, and Gaṇitayuktibhāṣā by Jyeṣṭhadeva (c. 1530 CE), a foundational text of the Kerala school of astronomy. New Delhi: In the academic corridors of Delhi University's Aryabhatta College, a unique project is underway. A group of academicians from the university are working to revive and reinterpret the contributions of some of the most well-known ancient Indian scholars in the fields of Mathematics and Astronomy. This is the concluding part of a four-part series. You can read Part 1 here , Part 2 here , and Part 3 here . The ongoing exercise in Aryabhatta College, besides several other higher education institutions across India, is part of the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) programme under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that pushes for an education system rooted in Indian ethos. The policy recommended incorporating elements of India's traditional knowledge in the curriculum in an 'accurate and scientific manner' in areas like Mathematics, Astronomy, Philosophy, Yoga, Architecture, Medicine, Agriculture, Engineering, Linguistics, Literature, Sports and Games. So far, over 50 government-funded IKS centres have been established as part of the Centre's effort to integrate traditional Indian knowledge into education. After ancient Mathematics, the IKS centre at Aryabhatta College is soon set to begin its next major project on Indian Astronomy. A similar endeavour is underway across 49 other government institutions and research centres, including at multiple Indian Institutes of Technology. For instance, the IKS centre at IIT Mandi is working on traditional Indian medicinal research, while IIT Tirupati's centre is exploring Kalamkari art, natural farming, and ancient food preservation. At IIT Madras, the centre is dedicated to researching India's scientific heritage, among other areas. Project coordinator at Aryabhatta College, Priti Jagwani told ThePrint that the IKS centre there chose to focus on Indian Mathematics and Astronomy because the institution is named after the renowned mathematician and astronomer. 'We wanted to honour Aryabhatta's legacy, while contributing to a serious academic revival in these fields.' The centre was set up in 2023 with a three-fold objective—to develop academic courses on IKS, to record and disseminate these courses as online lectures, and to organise Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) for training educators in this domain. Professor Jagwani said that the content developed by the team of experts highlights India's significant contributions to Mathematics, and emphasised the importance of reclaiming and recognising this rich intellectual heritage. 'There is a vast treasure of scientific and mathematical knowledge in our ancient texts, much of which has either been overlooked or misattributed to the West. For example, what the world calls the 'Pythagorean Theorem' was documented over a thousand years earlier in the Baudhayana Śulba Sūtra, a foundational text of Vedic geometry. Unfortunately, this is just one of many examples where Indian contributions have been unrecognised or miscredited,' she said. Highlighting the centre's broader mission, Jagwani said, 'Many advanced ideas found in the Vedas, Upavedas, and other ancient Indian literature are still relevant today. Through this Centre, we aim to study them rigorously and present them with academic and scientific backing so that India's contributions to global knowledge are rightfully acknowledged.' The Narendra Modi-led government has taken significant steps towards mainstreaming the IKS over the last five years, for which a dedicated division was established in 2020. Guidelines were issued for higher education institutions to develop IKS-focused courses. Elements of ancient Indian knowledge have now been incorporated in new school textbooks, and IKS research centres have been set up across various institutions. In a significant boost, the IKS budget saw a dramatic 400 percent increase this year—from Rs 10 crore in 2024–25 to Rs 50 crore in 2025–26. The government also announced the setting up of a national repository for IKS for knowledge sharing in this year's budget. Additionally, the Union Ministry of Education last year announced a budget of Rs 405 crore for the IKS division to be spent over five years. According to IKS National Coordinator Ganti S. Murthy, the biggest achievement of the programme over the past five years has been the growing academic seriousness around it. 'First, there is now broad awareness about IKS across the country. Second, the nature of the conversation has shifted—from casual or fringe-level debates to serious, scholarly discussions. That is a very encouraging sign,' he told ThePrint. Murthy added that people are no longer making exaggerated claims about flying saucers, nor are they dismissing everything as foreign imports. 'Both of which are incorrect. Initially, IKS was disregarded by fringe elements. Now, it is gaining recognition within the academic community. However, it will take time to overcome the 150-year-long slumber.' However, the initiative has continuously faced criticism from a section of academic circles. Last year, the All India Peoples Science Network (AIPSN), a collective of scientists, issued a statement alleging misuse of the IKS mandate in higher education, and warned against the inclusion of 'pseudoscientific claims' in these courses. Also Read: UK's University of Bristol, 3 Australian universities get UGC nod to start India campuses Separate division to promote indigenous knowledge Three months after NEP 2020 was launched, the education ministry established the IKS division to revive India's ancient intellectual traditions in a modern context. Housed within the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in New Delhi, the division was meant to promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research grounded in indigenous knowledge. The division has steadily expanded its scope since—from supporting research programmes and setting up dedicated centres, to launching internships and developing specialised academic courses. Over the past five years, the division has funded around 100 projects, each with grants of up to Rs 20 lakh. In addition, it supports 27 research centres, 17 centres for teacher training and course development, and seven language centres. Each centre received between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 40 lakh. The division also offers paid internship opportunities to young scholars, with over 9,000 students having participated so far. The topics of the over 100 government-funded research projects span a wide range of areas, including the impact of sāttvik food on gut health, prāṇa-based Vedic approaches to reducing suicidal tendencies, influence of Indian classical ragas on human cognitive function, and a study on the effectiveness of Krimighna Gana from the Charaka Samhita in treating bovine mastitis, among others. Murthy said that over time, the quality of research proposals submitted to IKS under its Bharatiya Gyan Samvardhan Yojana—a competitive grant scheme—has steadily improved, with increasing interest from scholars across disciplines. The division, through the various centres funded by it, is currently offering around 40 online and hybrid courses on topics, like Ayurvedic drug design, food science, natural resource conservation, the Bhagavad Gita, and Yogasutra—open to both students and faculty. Murthy added that a growing number of institutions are independently offering IKS courses, and hosting seminars and lectures, without relying on support from the division. 'It clearly shows there is a larger interest, which is very heartening,' he said. To support the integration of IKS in education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had issued guidelines in 2023, as part of the NEP 2020 roll-out, urging universities to incorporate IKS into their curricula. Following this directive, several institutions, including Delhi University, began offering related courses. Last year, IIT Mandi faced criticism for introducing a mandatory IKS course titled 'Introduction to Consciousness and Wellbeing' for first-year engineering students, which included themes like 'reincarnation'. The division is also preparing to launch 17 minor courses. 'It doesn't make sense to offer a full-fledged undergraduate degree in IKS,' Murthy said. 'So we are developing minor courses that students can pursue alongside their primary discipline. For instance, an Economics student will be able to study a minor in 'Bharatiya Economics', while also learning all the modern concepts included in the regular syllabus.' Centres digging into India's ancient knowledge base Among the 27 research centres dedicated to IKS, the one at IIT BHU in Varanasi is playing a key role in revitalising traditional knowledge through interdisciplinary research, having received Rs 40 lakh in funding from the Government of India to support its initiatives. According to Professor V. Ramanathan, principal investigator at the IKS Centre of Excellence at BHU, one of the flagship projects under the theme of Holistic Wellness involves the preparation of a herbal monograph using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS). This scientific approach aims to make Ayurvedic practices comprehensible through modern analytical techniques. In the domain of Chemistry and Archaeology, the centre has published two books on Indian rock art, integrating advanced tools, like Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), with ethnographic research to uncover and preserve India's ancient artistic and cultural legacy. In the Maths and Astronomy domain, the centre has published a critical edition of the manuscript called Makarandopapatti, a medieval text outlining the astronomy practised in and around Varanasi. In the Darshana domain, it has published peer reviewed research papers showing the Indian parallels of the Ship of Theseus problem, a famous Greek philosophical thought experiment about identity and change over time. 'The central motto of our centre is rigorous research. It is easy to make tall claims without evidence. Our aim is to bring forth the scientific achievements of India's past thorough research and verifiable data,' Ramanathan told ThePrint. At IIT Kanpur, the IKS centre is developing school-level curriculum materials rooted in Indian ethos. Arnab Bhattacharya, project coordinator of the centre, told ThePrint, 'We are targeting school education because the newly introduced textbooks already include a significant amount of IKS content. But there is still a lot to be done. We've collected a large volume of material, and are now developing school-level resources—such as slides, examples, and practice questions—to enrich and support classroom teaching.' He emphasised that the broader objective is to ensure IKS content can be taught effectively at multiple levels of education. 'Whether it's school, college, or graduate level, the idea is to create a robust base of materials—books, lecture slides, and other teaching aids—so that anyone who wants to teach IKS has everything they need. This is a crucial long-term effort. We need to move beyond the colonial framework of education, and IKS offers the ideal foundation for that,' he said. Meanwhile, the centre at IIT Madras, established in 2022, focuses on four key areas: research into Indian scientific heritage, design of IKS-related courses, public outreach via social media, and training future scholars. The centre currently offers nine courses, covering topics such as Mathematics in India, Astronomy in India, Indian cultural studies, and Indian classical perspectives on clothing. Also Read: After 'sugar boards', CBSE asks schools to display 'oil boards' to promote healthy eating among students More Indian content in school textbooks The National Curriculum Framework (NCF)—a key policy document that guides curriculum, textbooks, and teaching practices in Indian schools, released in 2023 under NEP 2020—recommended integrating IKS elements across subjects to foster student pride, and enhance learning by highlighting India's rich intellectual and cultural heritage. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) also formed a 19-member panel that year to ensure the incorporation in the new school textbooks being developed. Between last year and this year, the new textbooks released by NCERT include more references to ancient Indian achievements and figures than ever before, besides references to Sanskrit terms. For example, the English textbooks for Classes 6 and 7 feature more poems and prose by Indian writers, along with increased references to Indian culture and heritage. Michel Danino, a visiting professor at IIT Gandhinagar and chairperson of NCERT's committee for drafting the new Social Science textbooks, noted that India's traditional knowledge had long been underrepresented in school curricula, despite recommendations in the 1986 NEP and the 2005 National Curriculum Framework. 'This has led to an aberrant situation where generations of young Indians have the foggiest notions about Indian accomplishments in past or even recent times—and with the growth of the internet and social media, the vacuum gets filled up with the most fanciful or confused notions: more and more look for quick pride or sensation, with no solid foundations of genuine knowledge,' he told ThePrint. Asked how this shift might benefit India's education system in the long run, Danino said it may not be enough by itself to reform the education system, which suffers from deep pedagogical and structural flaws. 'But it will hopefully awaken students' interest, enrich their knowledge, and, without any sort of preaching, help sensitise them to the best values Indian ethos has stood for.' The new textbooks have also begun referring to India as 'Bharat'. For example, the Class 6 Social Science textbook released last year says that the country was originally called 'Bharat' by its ancient inhabitants, and that the name India was introduced later by foreigners. It also includes sections on Vedic schools of thought and stories from the Upanishads, among other elements of India's intellectual heritage. The Class 7 Science textbook released this year includes references to the ancient Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita, explains how early Indian scholars predicted the monsoon by observing specific star patterns, and highlights the contributions of Indian scientists. School principals, however, feel that adding Sanskrit terms to Science and Mathematics textbooks often creates confusion. 'Students and teachers know these won't be part of exams, so they don't take them seriously. But highlighting Indian scientists and their contributions is a good idea,' said the principal of a Central Board of Secondary Education-affiliated school in Delhi, requesting anonymity. Concerns over intent A section of academics has voiced concerns over the growing emphasis on IKS in education, calling it 'ideologically driven' rather than academically grounded. Abha Dev Habib, associate professor at Delhi University's Miranda House, said that the university has introduced courses, such as Vedic Mathematics, The Gita for Holistic Life, Leadership Excellence through the Gita, The Gita for a Sustainable Universe, in the name of value-added courses. 'IKS is nothing but an RSS-driven agenda. The courses being offered under it promote a single ideology, and a particular set of religious beliefs. Our curriculum used to be progressive, but things have changed significantly over the past few years,' she said. Satyajit Rath, president of the All India Peoples Science Network, said that teaching about India's ancient contributions is not inherently problematic, but the issue lies in how it is framed. 'It's not wrong to teach about India's historical achievements. What's problematic is the ideological glorification that often accompanies it,' he told ThePrint, adding that the real concern is the intention. 'This idea that 'our ancestors knew everything' is flawed. No civilization's ancestors knew more than what we know today. It's not as if we were never taught about India's contributions…We have always known that zero was an Indian invention, and that Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, or the Indus Valley Civilization made significant advances. What we weren't taught—and shouldn't be—is that our ancestors were somehow superior to everyone else. That should not be the purpose of this initiative,' he said. 'Therefore, all of this should be approached with rigorous and critical thinking. The contributions being highlighted are largely Vedic and Puranic, which represent only the Brahmanical tradition. Does that mean no one else contributed?' Meanwhile, IKS national coordinator Murthy said that the division is actively engaging with various stakeholders to clarify misconceptions about the initiative. 'There is no place for animosity. The vast majority of people are not engaged with IKS from an ideological position,' he told ThePrint. 'Many people now understand that we're not asking anyone to go back and live as we did 2,000 years ago. All we are saying is—don't discard the valuable knowledge from 2,000 years ago. People are gradually beginning to understand that.' (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: Long before Op Sindoor, Marathas first carried out 'surgical strike'. NCERT Class 8 book is proof
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The Troika: Focused R&D, energy sovereignty and values
Imagine a world without zero. No binary code, no computing, and certainly no AI. The concept of zero, first formalised by Brahmagupta in 7th century India, was a philosophical breakthrough that enabled progress in fields from astronomy to finance and computer science. From Aryabhata's calculations of π to CV Raman's Nobel-winning work, India has a deep legacy of scientific inquiry and innovation, which continues today as Indian-origin talent fuels the global tech economy — leading AI breakthroughs, powering innovation at top firms, and shaping the digital world. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan's economy has much more to lose than India's due to the ongoing tensions, warns Moody's Ratings The day Pakistan got the power to poke India FM Sitharaman meets ADB chief and Italian FM, discusses economic issues; no mention of Pakistan Now, as the world enters the Era of Intelligence, India faces an urgent need to harness this legacy for its own advancement. The race for dominance is accelerating, with the US and China investing heavily to secure long-term advantage across chips, talent, and data. India's opportunity lies in seizing the boldest leapfrog bets—those with the power to redefine global paradigms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fort-de-france Modular Homes: See Prices Mobile Homes | Search ads Undo Focused R&D R&D is the primary battleground of the Intelligence Era. To build global competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and national security, India must focus its R&D on critical domains. Live Events Biotechnology will redefine healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience. Building sovereign capabilities in synthetic biology, precision medicine, and bio-manufacturing will be critical to food and health security—and to reducing reliance on global supply chains. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Advanced materials are the backbone of next-generation semiconductors, aerospace, defence, and clean energy. Controlling these innovations will be essential to decoupling from vulnerable supply chains and achieving strategic self-reliance in critical sectors, including electronics and defence. Quantum computing and communications will be foundational to the next era of encryption, cybersecurity, financial systems, and scientific modeling. Early leadership is essential to safeguarding national security infrastructure and setting new global standards—before others do. In the next 10 years, we must move from value-chain participation to value-chain creation—disrupting chokepoints and setting new rules for global competition. Energy Sovereignty AI may run on data, but it thrives on energy. As adoption accelerates, electricity demand from data centres and AI supercomputing is expected to double by 2026. Energy is now a strategic asset—central to digital power and economic leadership. India, with over 200 GW of renewable capacity and a 2030 target of 500 GW, is well-positioned to lead. The`19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission is a bold step toward making India a global hub for green hydrogen. If executed with ambition, India could become in this century what oil-rich nations were in the last: the bedrock of global energy ecosystems. Strategic investments in green hydrogen, battery storage, smart grids, and next-gen renewables will make India the destination of choice for energy-intensive industries—from semiconductor fabs and AI clusters to quantum labs and advanced manufacturing. Human-Centric AI India's most profound contribution to the Intelligence Era may not lie just in its technological prowess but in its values. As the world races toward hyper-automation, India must lead with a human-centric AI vision—one that augments, not replaces; empowers, not exploits; and keeps people, not machines, at the heart of progress. AI should be harnessed to solve India's most pressing challenges: boosting agricultural productivity, bridging learning gaps, democratizing access to quality healthcare, and building climate resilience. We are walking the talk with the India AI Mission, but India must go further—and shape global governance frameworks rooted in our values dignity, inclusion, and equity.
