International Conference on Uniting Vedic Knowledge with Modern Technologies hosted by ICON BHARAT, begins!

o    Conference being hosted in collaboration with premier scientific institutions like BrahMos, DRDO, DSIR, UOH; BITS; Atal Incubation Centre, and T-Hub.

o    Eminent scientists & academicians like Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Dr Shekhar C Mande, Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Dr Ulrich Berk, Germany; Dr VK Ganapathi Avadhoota Datta Peetham; Dr Balram Singh, USA; Smt. Sahiti Sriramoju, Italy, will address the delegates.

Hyderabad : ICON BHARAT – an institution dedicated to integrate the timeless wisdom of Vedic knowledge with the latest advancements in science and technology; in collaboration with premier scientific institutions such as BrahMos, DRDO, DSIR, University of Hyderabad; Aspire University, Hyderabad; TBI University, Hyderabad; Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani; Atal Incubation Centre, and T-Hub, is hosting the two-day International Conference on Bridging Heritage: Vedic Knowledge and Modern Technologies. Chief Guest Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, Fr. Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, GOI & Fr. Chairman, DRDO; inaugurated the landmark event being held on August 31 and September 1, 2024, at T-Hub, Hyderabad, today. Guest of Honour Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS, Group of Institutions & Fr. Director, IIT Delhi; graced the occasion.

This conference aims to create a unique platform where the wisdom of Vedic knowledge intersects with the advancements of modern science and technology. The focus will be on exploring how ancient principles, particularly in fields such as metallurgy, materials science, and chemistry, can be applied to address contemporary challenges and drive innovation.

The two-day event will feature an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including leading scientists, Vedic scholars, technologists, and industry experts. Attendees will engage in insightful discussions and witness collaborations between government agencies like DST, DRDO, MEITY, and the Ministry of Education. The conference will also highlight cutting-edge research, foster new partnerships, and provide networking opportunities with thought leaders from around the globe.

Speaking on the occasion Dr G. Satheesh Reddy said, the conference beautifully bridges the wisdom of ancient sciences with the innovations of modern technology. It’s truly inspiring to witness such an enthusiastic response from delegates, eager to delve into this fascinating fusion. This keen interest reflects a growing recognition of the value in learning from our rich past—a response that, for something rooted in Vedic sciences, is both remarkable and heartening. As we look ahead, this conference promises to offer profound insights, bringing us closer to our vision of establishing India as a “Vishwa Guru”- a global leader in knowledge and innovation. For any nation to achieve prosperity and self-reliance, it must first attain self-sufficiency in materials and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. India is making significant strides in this direction. Today, we are proud to say that we are developing numerous critical materials indigenously. From specialized steels for maritime applications, including those for submarines designed to withstand extreme pressures, to the fact that nearly 80% of the materials used in the construction of the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier are sourced locally, our progress is undeniable. Hyderabad, in particular, stands out as a hub of research and development, with several institutions dedicated to advancing these specialized materials. The last decade has seen a spurt with several organisations and labs trying to produce many such critical materials in the country. We all are aware that there are many well proven technologies are in the Vedic Sciences, in the area of materials, techniques like cryptology, cryptography themed aspects are very much there and are very useful to us. SRIVT carried out research and come out with various proven materials, which in itself is a testimony in this area. Over the last 25 years SRIVT worked with various organisations in the country who need materials, be it DRDO, CSIR, ISRO, Atomic Energy, multiple projects have been taken up and the results were highly optimistic. In fact in several instances the process used by SRIVT, was found to be much more efficient than the process followed in modern science. I request Mr A.B.S. Sastry and the  research scientists attending this conference to identify the materials, work on it and produce them. Lot of academic institutions too off late are showing interest in Vedic sciences and we heard Prof Ramgopal Rao talking about BITS being keen to work on technologies from our heritage. In fact IIT Hyderabad has a Department of Heritage Sciences. These outcome from the Vedic Sciences can help this country to flourish. We  should be in a position to produce the materials needed by this country, ensure we don’t import them anymore, rather we should be in a position to export the material produced by the indigenous processes, from our heritage, while simultaneously making the world green, clean and producing it in an inexpensive way. I am confident that ICON BHARAT will be in a position to bring about synergy between ancient sciences and technology with the modern sciences. I am optimistic of  the delegates here being able to deliver specific outcomes and recommendations, we will submit those and convince the government with the outcomes which can make this country self-reliant.      

Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao said, what Mr A.B.S. Sastry is doing is very fascinating and institutions like DRDO have utilised this material produced by Mr Sastry for certain strategic applications. It is an amazing kind of work. We need more people like him to bridge the ancient science with the modern science. I would be quite keen to collaborate with Mr Sastry at BITS, Pilani and explore and design the kind of courses we can offer, so that more and more people will be able to use this knowledge and do something for the benefit of the society. The exploring of the ancient science should become a national movement. Politicians talk big, but when it comes to funding such projects, not many are seen doing much, which is a big concern. 

Dr A.B.S. Sastry said, what our Maharishis enunciated is very scientific and connected to nature. These Maharishis authored several technological grandhas based on Vedas. Vedas are universal scientific manuals. Such grandhas are the applied Vedic sciences authored by Rishis for the welfare of the mankind. In fact IIT Madras tested the material produced by the traditional methodology and concluded that the process I used ensured material with superior properties than the modern processes. That generated interest in the scientific community. We developed a nano zinc oxide based on a Sloka from herbal elements. We can actually say, Vedic sciences as the advanced sciences and not ancient sciences, purely based on the outcomes from Vedic sciences. We developed so many nano materials, that in IIT Madras I was known as Nano Sastry, because I produced a solution for every nano requirement of theirs.   

M Srinivas Rao, CEO, T-HUB; said, Sastry garu is among the few people you meet, even if you meet only once, they will leave a lasting impression. Today there is immense interest in ancient Indian Sciences, some of it influenced by the nationalistic narrative which is building up. The work you are doing is truly amazing, overcoming the scepticism and ridicule you faced. There was lot of science in our heritage, but the challenge is, we haven’t learnt how to codify it. At T-HUB, we have an interesting startup here, Kushal Roy an young entrepreneur is doing some very interesting work in the area of spiritual tech, he is trying to build large language models to kind of predict the future.

Dr P.G. Rao, Organising Chairman, ICON Bharath, said, there are several questions that crop up in our mind, is there any science in Vedas? are homam or agnihotra simple rituals or is there some science in it which purifies the environment? Did our traditional science have knowledge on aeronautics? this conference will address several such questions, with eminent scientists sharing their knowledge. A startup conclave is also taking place at the Conference to encourage the young entrepreneurs to take the traditional knowledge forward. The outcome of this Conference will be presented at the valedictory session.       

The event is honored by the support of its Chief Patrons, including Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Former Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister and Former Chairman of DRDO; Dr Shekhar C. Mande, National President of Vijnana Bharati and Former DG of CSIR; and Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS, Group of Institutions and Former Director of IIT Delhi.

With a projected audience of over 500,000 people, both in-person and via extensive media coverage, the conference is set to be a major gathering of minds dedicated to bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. The Conference will witness the signing of key MoUs and the formation of strategic alliances that will drive forward this fusion of ancient and modern knowledge.

Some of the interesting topics being debated at the conference include Role of Technology in serving Dharmik needs of the society; Ancient Indian Vahanashastra; Ancient Wisdom and Modern Applications; Decoding Advanced Space Technology in Ancient Manuscripts; Some fascinating STEM Ideas in Indian Knowledge Systems; Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Al to Predict Human; Agnihotra Therapy; Novel Nanoparticles from Cow dung for Sustainable Agriculture; Journey of metals from Vedic age to modern day; among others.

Some of the eminent faculty at the Conference include Dr Ulrich Berk, President, German Assn. of Homa Therapy; Dr VK Ganapathi Avadhoota Datta Peetham; Dr Balram Singh Chairman, IASc, USA; Smt. Sahiti Sriramoju Scientific Researcher, Sapienza University, Italy; Dr Eswar Prasad Namburi Fr. Director, DMSRDE, DRDO; Shri Ravindra Kumar, Director DRDO-DIA-COE; Dr Surya Prakash Singh Principal Scientist, CSIR-IICT;  Dr A B S Sastry Founder & Director – SRIVT; Dr Ravi Prakash Arya, Chair Prof. Maharshi Dayanand University; Dr Vrajesh Kumar, IKS Mentor, Braemar College, Canada; Sri Kushal Yarlagadda, Founder & CEO, Destiny Al; Dr Vikas Kumar Saxena, Fr. Director, DMRL – DRDO; Prof. P Reddanna Emeritus Professor, UoH; Dr S Sridhar Principal Scientist, IICT, Hyderabad; Dr Kavya Dashora Professor, IIT-Delhi and others.