Introduction

As an enduring civilization, Bhārata has long exemplified a holistic and sophisticated approach to scientific inquiry. From the meticulously planned cities of the Sarasvati Valley civilization, to profound developments in astronomy, mathematics, linguistics, medicine, arts, and architecture, India’s scientific heritage is both vast and integrative.

Differing from the enlightenment philosophies of science (Empiricism, Positivism, Reductionism, etc.) that sternly distinguish between streams of knowledge, the Bhāratīya vision of science flows from a unity of knowledge that recognizes the fundamental experiential reality to be ‘Truth, Consciousness and Bliss’ (sat, cit, ānanda). This underlying unity is recognized across disciplines, such as in vidyā and kalā, making the Indian approach to science truly multidisciplinary.

In an era where science is increasingly tethered to industrial and economic ends, India’s traditional approach—grounded in observation, pragmatism, and the pursuit of ṛta (cosmic truth)—offers a compelling alternative. As we move towards Viksit Bharat 2047, it is imperative to revive and reinterpret India’s scientific legacy across disciplines.

To enable this rediscovery in young minds, the nationwide competition “Bharat and Its Scientific Glory” organized by Youth Unity Foundation and HS Foundation in collaboration with ŚIKṢĀ - Center for Indian Knowledge Systems, IIT Kanpur and Bṛhat as Knowledge Partners on 12 April 2025 encouraged keen students to explore the Indian scientific paradigm through modular themes such as gaṇita, āyurveda, vāstukalā, pramāṇa vijñāna, and yuddha vidyā, among others.

The competition received an overwhelming response with over 140 entries and participation from more than 260 students across 11+ states, including Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, Manipur, and Uttarakhand. A curated selection of 30 outstanding projects showcased the contemporary relevance of Bhāratīya vijñāna across disciplines ranging from mathematics and medicine to environmental science and temple architecture.

Among the top-representing states, Karnataka led with six projects from institutions like Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Chanakya University focusing on agriculture and ecological models; Delhi followed with five entries from IIT-Delhi and JNU delving into Saṃskṛta computation, nanotechnology, and civilizational architecture; while Tamil Nadu contributed four projects exploring āyurveda, Indus Valley insights, and sculptural sciences.

Event Proceedings

On the morning of April 12, the competition commenced with welcoming its esteemed panel of judges and the bright, enthusiastic students from across the nation at the buzzing premises of Janki Bhawan, Ramlila Ground, Ghaziabad. Following the auspicious lighting of the ceremonial lamp by each of the judges, Śrī Vineet Vats Tyagi (National Youth Wing In-Charge, BJP and Convenor, Bharat and its Scientific Glory) addressed the audience briefly and set the stage for the events of the day.

A series of riveting 30 student presentations followed, showcasing high-calibre research and deep inquiry into themes rooted in Bhāratīya traditions, each holding the attention of a keen panel of judges. Participating institutions included Ramjas College (Delhi University), Amrita Vishwavidyapeetham, MIT Muzaffarpur, Sri Venkateshwara College of Architecture, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, Chanakya University, IIT Roorkee, IISER (Mohali), and more. Some of the noteworthy presentations were:

The Kuṭṭaka Algorithm – MIT Muzaffarpur
Explored this ancient technique from Āryabhaṭṭīya, demonstrating its relevance for modern modular arithmetic.

Temple Architecture and the Pancabhūtas - Sri Venkateswara College of Architecture, Hyderabad
A fascinating narrative on nāgara, drāviḍa, and vesara styles, including the musical pillars of Hampi’s Śrī Vijaya Vitthala Temple, the temple as a journey to mokṣa and its relationship with the pañcamahābhūtas.

The Secrets of Neem - Haldia Institute of Technology
An interdisciplinary approach tracing neem’s presence across āyurveda, atharvaveda, and molecular biology, including its antiviral and immunomodulatory properties.

The Sāṅkhya Model of the Universe – MIT World Peace University, Pune
It delved into the sāṅkhya model of causation of the creation of the universe and more.

Pramāṇa Vijñāna – Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and Symbiosis Institute of Design
A creatively curated presentation that inquired into the principles and applications of the vaidika philosophical and cognitive sciences.

Military Science (Yuddha Vidyā) – University of Delhi
A presentation that skilfully AI-generated comic strips to describe the principles and techniques of military warfare of ancient India that were anchored in dharma and their applications for today’s times.

Paryāvaraṇa Śāstra - Chanakya University
A succinct presentation that delved into intricate groundwater management systems of Bhārata that were based on dual principles of culture and conservation and how their revival might serve to resolve the water crisis we face today.

Mind, Consciousness and Beyond - Delhi University
A narrative that detailed the linkages between nyāya and psychology with applications for mental health challenges of today.

Menstrual Health and Āyurveda - Chanakya University
It delved into the age-old Indian ideas of rajasvalā paricaryā and ṛtu vidyā that offer an integrated paradigm of menstrual healthcare aligning a woman’s personal composition with the rhythm of the cosmic cycles.

The Bhāratīya Perspective of Cure for Leprosy - MES College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Bangalore
It placed the condition of leprosy within the context of how āyurveda śāstras approach it and their idea of a potent cure for the disease.

Following the presentations, Smt. Devika Rajaraman enthralled the audience with a graceful bharatanāṭyam performance, depicting the willpower and inner resolve essential for a renascent Bhāratavarṣa.

Subsequently, Śrī Raghava Krishna (Founder, Bṛhat) addressed the participants, urging them to see themselves as inheritors of a civilizational legacy that developed frameworks for deeper evolution of the three core human impulses — to know, to love, and to act. He highlighted that these were epistemic pathways for an integrated life.

Once again welcoming the participants and dignitaries, Śrī Vineet Tyagi shared that his impulse to discover the greatness of Bhārata and her knowledge traditions* was one of the key inspirations behind organizing this mega event.

Śrī Ganti Murthy (National Coordinator, IKS Division, Ministry of Education) underscored the importance of preservation, transmission, and creation in any living knowledge tradition. He reiterated that such events act as catalysts for the dynamic evolution of IKS by nurturing a new generation of seekers and scholars.

Śrī Mayank Goel (President, Ghaziabad Mahabagar, BJP) reflected on the critical role of science in the decolonization of Indian minds, invoking the śruti paramparā and India’s ancient systems of learning that predate colonial models of education.

Chief Guest Śrī Tejasvi Surya (Member of Parliament, South Bengaluru and National President, Yuva Morcha, BJP), in his special address, shared that one of the fundamental aims of the event was to reclaim India’s civilizational traditions from the lingering shadows of coloniality. He noted that a systematic effort was made in the past to create a sense of cultural inferiority among Indian youth and an event of such scale and intent marks a pivotal step in reversing that narrative, forging a confident, knowledge-rooted path for nation-building.

The event concluded with the much-awaited announcement of the top 3 winning entries.

The 1st prize of ₹1,00,000 was awarded to Saurabh Rajendra More (MIT World Peace University, Pune) and Saurabh Rajendra Patil (Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune) for their brilliant research and presentation outlining ‘The Sāṅkhyan Model of the Universe.’

The 2nd prize of ₹51,000 was awarded to Siddhi Avinash Deshmukh (Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda), Sridhar Rajashekhar and Siddhant Sanjay Deshpande (Symbiosis Institute of Design) for the perfect blend of rigor in research, application-based approach and innovative style of presenting as a team in their chosen topic: ‘Pramāṇa Vijñāna – Vedic Philosophical and Cognitive Sciences.’

The 3rd prize of ₹31,000 was awarded to Mudit Vasishth and Sanya Vats (University of Delhi) for their research in the first principles and applications of Bhārata’s ‘Military Science (Yuddha Vidyā),’ as also their unique efforts in generating AI-based comic strips to depict the same.

The 4th and 5th prizes of ₹10,000 each were awarded to S. Sai Roopini and R Sanjana (Sri Venkateshwara College of Architecture, Hyderabad) for their presentation highlighting how temples are abodes of the deepest of philosophy in, ‘Vāstukalā – The Journey to Mokṣa through Temples and the Panchabhūtas’ and Debankana Bose and Chayani Mukherjee (Haldia Institute of Technology, Kolkata) for their research in the curative benefits of the neem plant especially with respect to melanoma, in ‘The Secrets of Neem.’

The organizers ensured that the efforts of each of the shortlisted candidates was honored. Prize winners from the 4th to 10th positions were awarded ₹10,000 each and those at 11th-20th positions with ₹5,000 each. Additionally, all participants were given certificates of participation for their valuable contributions.

Bharat and Its Scientific Glory was not merely a showcase — it was a powerful invocation of India’s living knowledge systems. The event became a vibrant platform where young voices took the stage not just to present, but to reclaim, reinterpret, and reignite India’s scientific tradition for future generations.

It reaffirms our vision that the path to Dhārmika global futures lies not in abandoning the past, but in re-seeing it with clarity, reverence, and innovation.

Return to Event Main Page
View all participant entries