The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) inaugurated – India Ki Khoj, a 7-day residential programme for California Institute of Technology (Caltech-USA) students providing exposure and experience of India’s intellectual, scientific, and cultural heritage on December 15, 2025.

The inauguration began with a Welcome and Introduction to India Ki Khoj by Prof Mana Shah, followed by Deep Prajvalan (lighting of the lamps) and Shlok recitation, marking an auspicious beginning to the programme.

Liz Jackman, Associate Director of Student Programs, The Caltech Y, introduced The Caltech Y initiatives. “This is my second visit to the programme, having first attended in 2014, and it is truly impressive to see how the campus has grown and transformed since then. What remains most memorable, however, is the warmth of the people—the students and professors who generously answered our questions, shared their culture, and extended remarkable kindness and hospitality. On behalf of the Caltech delegation, I am grateful for this opportunity and for the efforts that have made this a positive and enriching experience. We are excited to be here again and to continue learning more about India,” Liz expressed.

The highlight of the inauguration was the Inaugural Lecture, “India’s Contribution to Science and Mathematics: From Ancient to Modern Times,” delivered by Prof K Ramasubramanian, Institute Chair Professor at the Cell for Indian Science and Technology in Sanskrit (CISTS), IIT Bombay. His lecture underscored the Indian knowledge tradition as a systematic and experience-based approach to understanding nature, science, and human thought.

Speaking at the event, Prof Ramasubramanian said, “In the Indian intellectual tradition, science is a disciplined inquiry rooted in experience, numbers, and observation, yet guided by humility. Shastra is knowledge crystallized over centuries, seeking not merely to control nature but to understand its functioning and our place within it. Practices such as prayer or prasāda are not appeals for supernatural intervention, but ways of cultivating clarity in thought and right decision-making, acknowledging that many forces shaping life lie beyond human control. This harmony between science, spirituality, and reverence for nature is a legacy that remains deeply relevant today.

He continued, “India’s contribution to science and mathematics is a long, systematic, and experience-based inquiry into nature, numbers, life, mind, and consciousness. Science was pursued not merely as discoveries, but as a disciplined process of understanding, or śāstra, integrating theory, practice, observation, and reasoning. From ancient mathematics and astronomy to medicine, logic, and technology, Indian thinkers asked ‘why’ and sought precise methods and verification. Spirituality, religion, and science coexisted, each addressing different aspects of human inquiry, while nature was respected rather than dominated. This holistic approach, visible from ancient times to modern contributions, offers valuable lessons today, emphasizing clarity of thought, ethical responsibility, and reverence for nature.”

Prof Rama Subramanian further discussed the historical and scientific significance of calendars, timekeeping systems, and astronomy. He emphasized how ancient civilizations, including India, developed systematic methods to understand celestial patterns, the seasons, and human life cycles. He explained that science, mathematics, and spirituality were deeply integrated in these traditions, highlighting their relevance even today.

Over the seven days of the programme, participants will engage in a rich array of lectures, workshops, field visits, and experiential learning, including:

• A heritage walks through Ahmedabad Old City
   
• An expedition to the Sun Temple at Modhera and the historic city of Rani ki vav, Patan
   
• Lectures on Indian history, linguistic diversity, archaeology, architecture, and philosophy of yoga
   
• A Madhubani painting workshop and an Indian classical music lecture-demonstration
   
• A nature walk, yoga and pranayama sessions, museum visits, and cultural engagements
   
• Exposure to strength of today’s India through the Bharat Innovates Expo at Research Park of IIT Gandhinagar

India Ki Khoj reflects IIT Gandhinagar’s commitment to interdisciplinary education, global engagement, and fostering a deeper understanding of India’s intellectual and cultural heritage by connecting ancient insights with contemporary thought and practice.

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