CSIR-NIScPR and Gurugram University to Host International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2024)

Gurugram, Haryana – The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), in collaboration with Gurugram University, is set to organize the second edition of the International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2024) on November 13-14, 2024, at Gurugram University’s campus in Haryana. This conference is part of the SVASTIK initiative (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge), launched by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote and disseminate India’s rich repository of traditional knowledge.

Traditional knowledge, long documented in ancient Indian manuscripts, remains largely untapped despite its vast potential in fields like science, technology, agriculture, health, and the environment. The CDTK-2024 conference aims to bridge this gap by bringing together international experts, researchers, and scholars from various disciplines to discuss the applications of this knowledge in modern-day contexts.

The two-day event will feature keynote speakers and distinguished guests from diverse domains of science and technology. Among the prominent figures attending are Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Distinguished Professor at Pune University and National President of VIBHA; Prof. K.K. Aggarwal, Vice Chancellor of South Asian University; Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Gurugram University; and Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director of CSIR-NIScPR. The conference will also be graced by the presence of Chief Guests Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Govt. of India, and Rao Narbir Singh, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Haryana.

In addition to the keynote addresses, the conference will feature contributions from a range of experts, including Dr. Arvind C. Ranade, Director of NIF (DST), Gandhinagar; Dr. Virendra M. Tiwari, Director of CSIR-NEIST; and Dr. Wend Wendland, Director of the Traditional Knowledge Division at WIPO, Geneva, among others.

CDTK-2024 will focus on eight thematic areas, addressing the past, present, and future relevance of traditional knowledge in various fields. These themes include:

• Agriculture and Food (Krishi evam Bhojan)
• Architecture (Vastukala)
• Chemistry and Metallurgy (Rasayan Vigyan evam Dhatukarm)
• Communication and Dissemination (Sanchar Evam Prasar)
• Education and Philosophy (Siksha evam Darshan)
• Health Sciences and Medicinal Chemistry (Swasthya Vigyan evam Ausadhi Rasayan Vigyan)
• Mathematics and Astronomy (Ganit evam Khagol Vigyan)
• Water, Ecology, and Environment (Jal, Paristhitiki Evam Paryavaran)

The conference will feature a variety of formats, including keynote lectures, oral presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and a cultural program, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and exchange of ideas. The goal is to explore how India’s traditional knowledge can be integrated into contemporary science and technology to benefit society.

Through this event, SVASTIK seeks to not only highlight the importance of preserving traditional knowledge but also to explore ways in which it can be scientifically validated and applied for societal good in the modern world.