A significant step towards preserving and promoting India’s rich intellectual heritage was taken on Thursday with the inauguration of a new Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre at the National Sanskrit University (NSU) campus in Tirupati. This facility, established under the Union Ministry of Education’s Bharatiya Gyana Parampara initiative, is one of just eight such centers approved for leading universities and institutions nationwide.
The esteemed NSU Chancellor and former Chief Election Commissioner, N. Gopalaswami, officially opened the center. Dignitaries present included Vice-Chancellor G.S.R. Krishnamurthy and celebrated Padma Shri recipient, Madugula Nagaphani Sarma.
During the ceremony, Chancellor Gopalaswami expressed his profound satisfaction with the establishment of the center. He urged university officials to leverage the IKS Centre to meticulously explore and showcase the vast knowledge, scientific principles, and intellectual depth embedded within Sanskrit traditions.
Furthermore, Mr. Gopalaswami challenged the IKS team to develop a robust five-year strategic plan, outlining ambitious goals for the center’s future. He articulated a vision for the IKS Centre to evolve into a premier global hub, attracting international scholars and enthusiasts eager to delve into Sanskrit knowledge.
Vice-Chancellor Krishnamurthy detailed the extensive efforts involved in securing the IKS Centre’s approval from the central government. He encouraged the faculty to embark on advanced research, particularly focusing on the scientific and technological dimensions found in ancient Indian texts.
The inauguration was also attended by other key figures, including Academic Dean Rajinikanth Shukla, Ganti Suryanarayana Murthy, who serves as the National Coordinator for the IKS Division in New Delhi, Registrar Kadiyam Venkata Narayana Rao, IKS Centre Coordinator Shivaram Bhatt, and Additional Coordinator Kumar Bagewadi.