Distinguished guests at the International Conference on CDTK [From L-R: Dr Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR; Dr Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union S&T Minister; Dr N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Dr B.N. Jagatap]
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, New Delhi, organised the International Conference on Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2023) during 14-15 February 2023 at A.P. Shinde Hall, National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi.
Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) & Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India inaugurated the Conference on 14 February 2023. Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Govt of India was the Guest of Honour. During the inaugural session, Prof. Subhash Kak from Oklahoma State University, USA, joined online and delivered the Keynote address titled “Indian Knowledge in the Perspective of the Western Tradition”.
Hon’ble Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India, graced the conference as Chief Guest on 15 February 2023. Appreciating the efforts of CSIR-NIScPR to organise the conference of such significance, Hon’ble Minister said that India has a very rich heritage of traditional knowledge which could be more fruitful if we validate it with modern tools of science and technology. He added that we need to create a balance between Indian traditional knowledge and modern S&T advancements.
Director General of CSIR Dr N. Kalaiselvi said, “Science communication plays a crucial role to make the society aware of the research in our labs. When we talk about our heritage of traditional knowledge, the scientific validation and its effective communication to the society will be useful.”
Dr Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, delivered her welcome address and elaborated on the new initiative SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) of CSIR-NIScPR.
Prof. B.N. Jagatap, Senior Professor at IIT Bombay and Chairperson, Research Council, CSIR-NIScPR & Steering Committee, SVASTIK, also shared his valuable thoughts during the session. Dr G. Mahesh, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, proposed a vote of thanks. SVASTIK Brochure and popular science book and a special issue of the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge were released during the conference.
Recognising the need for effective communication of TK and traditional practices and upon the clarion call of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and President of the CSIR, Shri Narendra Modi, CSIR-NIScPR has launched the nationwide initiative to communicate scientifically validated traditional knowledge to the society under it’s "SVASTIK" (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) initiative.
TK experts from India and abroad participated in this conference with seven technical and poster sessions. A panel discussion on “Traditional Knowledge Research & Communication – The Road Ahead” was also organised.
A parallel National Workshop on "Role of Taxonomical Identification & Authentication of Plants & Crude Drugs in Traditional Medicine & Research" was also organised on 15 February 2023. Drug development from medicinal plants and the importance of taxonomy in drug identification/authentication were the focal areas of this National Workshop. The workshop provided an opportunity for young researchers to learn about drug discovery and hands-on training in the identification and authentication of medicinal plants. Dr Suman Ray, Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, was the coordinator of the National Workshop.
Concluding the two days conference, Dr Charu Lata, Principal Scientist at CSIR-NIScPR and Organising Secretary of the Conference, proposed the vote of thanks.
