History of inventions and Innovations is as old as human civilization. Though we have a very precise documentation of inventions and innovations of present days, as we travel back in the time, the information becomes blurred. This paucity of information what we call today as 'hard evidence' is the biggest obstacle in the reconstruction of events to nay convincing historical narration. This gives rise to a false premise/idea/conception that the modern man and his achievements are superior and were not achievable in the early periods of human civilization. The earlier civilization is taken as a period of infancy and unfortunately is compared with cognitive and other age and maturity related developments of infant. The progress is taken as linear and sequential. However, we know now that this is not true. The ability to remember and retain information, what we call as memory of a child, is far higher than that of a man advanced in age. The conventional meaning attached to a word also misleads us in evaluation the achievements of earlier civilizations. The simple word like 'new' and 'old' are best examples of this. By 'new' what we mean is modern, progressive, utility-wise useful and 'old' means backward-looking, regressive and having practically no utility and something which needs to be removed or banished. Metals like gold, which are old in every sense, don't lose value because they are old. Many earlier inventions especially in mathematics like numerals, decimal system are as useful today as when they were invented thousands of years back. This conditioned mindset in favour of modern man denies due to credit to inventions and innovations of earlier civilizations. And even if we acknowledge them, mostly they are taken as accidents. Unfortunately, the history of science is infected with this flawed logic. Whatever credit for inventions we attribute to the earlier civilizations is more of charitable nature than true appreciations of their ability to invent and innovate. This also leads to a highly deterministic viewpoint that what we have achieved today cannot be achieved by any alternative path or knowledge channels. Today's medical science known as allopathic medicine denies validity to any other system of medicine practiced in the earlier civilizations a s scientific, only because they do not follow today's method and logic of scientific evaluation. To imagine that medicinal properties of turmeric or neem were to earlier practitioners by chance or accident is too simplistic. India is one of the oldest existing civilizations. To understand and realize how this civilization invented and innovated in every walk of life needs and unbiased approach. Only such approach can help understand what yoga is, what ayurveda means and what most complex system of tantra is. Indian achievements in mathematics and language, in architecture and astronomy are well documented. Inspite of such body of knowledge, knowledge encyclopedia of the west acknowledge them with skepticism and reservations. In the practice of yoga, many miraculous powers are attained. Even today in spite of having massive literature and history of practice of thousands of years, such powers are not accepting citing lack of hard scientific evidence. What is true of yoga is true for many other disciplines and practice of Indian Civilizations. This seminar is a step in the direction to understand this Indian point of view. I am sure the scholars would delve deep in the available literature and throw light on the many dark corners of the subject. If you need any more information, write to me without any hesitation. Vijay Bedekar President, Institute for Oriental Study, Thane.

 

Seminar Details

Venue : Thorale Bajirao Peshwe Sabhagruha,
Thane College Campus, "Jnanadweepa',
Chendani, Bunder Road, Thane (W) 400 601. Maharashtra
Date : Saturday, the 29th December 2007
Time : 09.00 am onwards

Last Date of receiving Abstract : 31st August, 2007
Last Date of receiving Papers : 15th November, 2007

All Abstracts should be accompanied with Registration fee.
All drafts should be drawn in favour of Institute for Oriental Study, Thane.

(a) Papers for the Seminar should strictly adhere to the subject of the Seminar.
(b) Kindly specify the topic you have chosen for your presentation.
(c) Restrict yourself to the topic avoiding all generalisations.
(d) Refer to the primary sources from Sanskrit and Prakrit.
(e) Send your paper neatly typed on one side of paper. Handwritten papers won't be accepted.
(f) Use dialectical marks appropriately.
(g) Along with the Roman Script rendition supply the Devanagari Version.
(i) The abstract should be epitomised version of the whole paper comprising of 300 words atleast. Avoid generalities. The abstract should reach us not later than 31st August 2007
(j) Organising seminars has become a very expensive affair bound by limitation of time. To gain maximum dividend out of this exercise the scholar should examine critically the available Sanskrit literature and the paper should be an original contribution rather than a repetition of facts already known. The paper may be short or elaborate but it should reach us not later than 30th November 2007. Electronic versions and e-mail attachments would be preferred.

If you need any more information write to us without any hesitation.
Your co-operation is the only means of reaching towards the success of the forthcoming Seminar.