1. Samiksha-1: National Seminar on Sanskrit Based Indian Knowledge
Systems (IKS) and Information and Communication Tools (ICT)

The inaugural session commenced with a traditional Vedic chant, invoking the blessings of the divine. Dr. M.A. Alwar, representing the Samskriti Foundation, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished dignitaries and participants. Dr. Akhilesh Jha, from the Ministry of Science and Technology, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the importance of integrating scientific advancements, technology and traditional knowledge systems. His’ speech laid the foundation for the subsequent discussions on the confluence of Sanskrit-based IKS and ICT.

The inaugural session commenced with a traditional Vedic chant, invoking the blessings of the divine. Dr. M.A. Alwar, representing the Samskriti Foundation, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished dignitaries and participants. Dr. Akhilesh Jha, from the Ministry of Science and Technology, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the importance of integrating scientific advancements, technology and traditional knowledge systems. His’ speech laid the foundation for the subsequent discussions on the confluence of Sanskrit-based IKS and ICT. The seminar featured several academic sessions, each delving into different aspects of Sanskrit based IKS and its relationship with ICT. The sessions brought together eminent scholars, technocrats and bureaucrats. More than 20 papers were presented, showcasing unique facets of Sanskrit based IKS and its relevance in the modern world.

The first academic session revolved around Sanskrit and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr.M.A. Alwar explored the intricate problems of consciousness in AI and its connection to Indian Knowledge Systems. Dr. T.S. Mohan, Founder of Pragnya Labs, discussed the concept of intuition in IKS and its potential application in AI. Dr.C.S.R. Prabhu, Director General (Retd.) of National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Communication and IT, presented an innovative Object Knowledge Model (OKM) designed for processing machine‐readable information, while Dr. Kavi Mahesh, Director of IIIT, highlighted about the fusion of data science and IKS. The second academic session focused on Sanskrit and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Scholars presented papers on Ontological Tree Structured Systems for IKS, comprehensive approaches to enhancing learner experience in Sanskrit e-learning and the application of data analytics and computational Sanskrit.

Chaired by Dr. C.S.R. Prabhu, the third academic session, dealt with inter-sentential discourse relations, modeling Yogyatā to tackle ambiguity in the genitive case, automatic speech recognition for detecting mispronunciation in Sanskrit and the development of automatic speech recognition systems tailored for Sanskrit. Academic session four, chaired by Dr. M.S. Vijayaraghavan, former Special Secretary and TechnicalAdvisor, PMO, explored the theme of ‘Sanskrit and Encryption’. He emphasized the scientific aspects of Sanskrit and its potential in encryption. He highlighted the pioneering work of Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathachar in applying encryption techniques to Sanskrit and shared his own experience of level two encryption for the defence forces. One of the speakers, Sri M.G. Narasimhan, Technical Head – Samskriti Foundation, discussed an indigenous cryptographic system rooted in ancient Jain Linguistic Mathematical Structures. The second speaker, Dr. S.G. Raghavendra Prasad, Asst. Professor, Dept of IT, R.V. College of Engineering, focused on the application of Vedic mathematics in the development of high‐speed Vedic multipliers and highlighted the relevance of graph theory in Sanskrit texts and chess problem- solving.

The theme of the academic Session five, chaired by Sri Ramesh Srinivas Raghavan, Principal Product Manager – Adobe Inc., was ‘Sanskrit and Other ICT Tools’. The first speaker, Veda Varidhi Dr. P. Ramanujan, elaborated on the use of ICT tools for Vedic processing, emphasising the significance of accurate pronunciation and the role of technology in enhancing Vedic learning. Dr. Nithin Nagaraj, Associate Professor, NIAS, Bengaluru, explored the relevance of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in the contemporary world, discussing computational truth, big data and the application of the Indic approach in various domains. Dr. R.C. Saritha, Joint Director, C-DAC, Bengaluru, shed light on the technological challenges associated with preserving and processing Sanskrit, Vedic and manuscript knowledge and highlighted the tools developed by C‐DAC for these purposes.

The valedictory address featured prominent personalities who shared their perspectives on the significance of Sanskrit and IKS in the present era. Dr. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) emphasised the importance of developing local languages to harness the immense potential of talented individuals who do not know English or Hindi. He stressed the need to archive endangered dialects and expressed AICTE’s objective of developing indigenous languages for technical education. Sri Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, extolled the legacy of Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathachar and emphasised the relevance of Sanskrit literature in comprehending Indian culture. Dr. Srivatsa Krishna IAS, highlighted the transformative impact of AI innovations in India and the growing significance of Sanskrit in the country’s future. Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director, NIAS, Bengaluru, expressed support for Sri Tejasvi Surya’s concepts and advocated for the revival of ancient IKS to regain India’s historical position as an economic giant.

Samiksha‐1 successfully brought together diverse perspectives on Sanskrit-based IKS and ICT, showcasing the immense potential of this ancient knowledge system in conjunction with modern technological advancements. The seminar provided a platform for fruitful discussions and served as a catalyst for further exploration and research into the practical applications of Sanskrit-based IKS and ICT in various fields. It highlighted the need to preserve and revive this invaluable heritage for India’s progress in the 21st century and beyond.