International Ramayana Conference at IIT Roorkee Emphasises Educational Values and Indian Knowledge Tradition

The International Ramayana Conference at IIT Roorkee aims to highlight the importance of the Ramayana in education. Scholars from India and abroad will present around 150 research papers, discussing the values of the Indian knowledge tradition.

An international Ramayana conference commenced at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee in Uttarakhand on Thursday, focusing on its educational significance. This three-day event, organised by IIT Roorkee and Shri Ramcharit Bhavan, USA, features scholars, seers, and researchers from India and abroad. They will discuss the Indian knowledge tradition, with around 150 research papers being presented.

Speakers at the conference stressed the importance of modern education in understanding and embracing Ramayana's values. They highlighted that education's purpose extends beyond earning a living to serving humanity. IIT Roorkee Director Professor K K Pant addressed the gathering, noting that the institute's anthem draws inspiration from a couplet in the Ramcharitmanas by Hindu poet Goswami Tulsidas.

Focus on Values and Social Responsibility

Pant stated, "The line from Ramcharitmanas, Parhit saris dharma nahin bhai There is no greater religion than serving others, and IIT Roorkee's anthem, Sarjan hit jeevan nit arpit Life is always dedicated to the welfare of creation, both underscore the importance of social service." He emphasised the timeless value of principles from the Indian knowledge tradition.

He linked Ramayana's values like duty to parents, social responsibility, honesty in public life, and the ideal of Ram Rajya to contemporary issues such as sustainable development, health, ethics, and nation-building. The director encouraged youth to view knowledge as a tool for societal service and contributing to India's development by 2047.

Character Building Through Ancient Texts

Saint Mahamandaleshwar Swami Hari Chetananand discussed the significance of texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata for character building and inner peace in today's materialistic world. He commended the organisers for uniting seers and scholars by the Ganges River. He described the Ramayana as a comprehensive life guide teaching values like sacrifice, devotion, reverence for teachers, and social harmony.

The conference also saw the release of the Gita Shabd Anukramanika Gita Word Index during its inaugural session. Professor Om Prakash Gupta from Shri Ramcharit Bhavan and University of Houston-Downtown mentioned that about 150 research papers related to the Ramayana and spiritual literature would be presented.

Award for Contribution to Sanskrit Literature

The late Professor Mahavir Agarwal was honoured posthumously with the "Ramayana Ratna" award. This recognition celebrated his five decades of dedication to teaching, research, and service in Sanskrit literature and Indian knowledge traditions.

The conference aims to integrate ancient wisdom into modern education systems. It seeks to inspire a deeper understanding of cultural values among students and educators alike.

With inputs from PTI