Introduction:
NIT Silchar has taken initiative to establish a centre for Indian Knowledge system – Aryabhatta. The objective of the Centre is to uphold the long tradition of India of holistic and multidisciplinary learning which will include different fields in Technology, Science, Management, Humanities and Medicine to implement NEP 2020. It will increase creativity, innovation, problem solving abilities, critical thinking and in-depth learning by integrating Humanities and Arts with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The centre will work towards fulfilling the goals envisaged by IKS division of ACICTE under MoE, New Delhi. The website is https://iksindia.org
Themes Identified by CIKS-Aryabhatta at NIT Silchar:
The following themes are identified by CIKS-Aryabhatta at NIT Silchar that are in alignment with the thrust areas of the IKS division of AICTE (discussed above). In the table below we provide a mapping between the themes of IKS division of AICTE and Aryabhatta.
| Themes of IKS division at AICTE | Themes of CIKS-Aryabhatta |
| · IKS based approaches on Knowledge paradigms· Shastras (Nyaya, vyakarana, krishi, Shilpa, Vaastu, Natya, Sangeeta, Jala, khani, among others) | Application of NLP techniques for languages of NE, Bengali, Telugu, Sanskrit and Odia to Hindi and English |
| · Preservation and documentation of manuscripts | Digital archiving of ancient manuscripts |
| · Chemistry of dyes, pigments, chemicals used in India | Implementation of MSME projects – application of traditional technology for solving real-life problems |
| · Mathematics and astronomy of India | Studies on Vedic Mathematics |
| · Sahitya and avadhana kala· Shastras (Nyaya, vyakarana, krishi, Shilpa, Vaastu, Natya, Sangeeta, Jala, khani, among others) | Preservation and archiving of traditional art forms, specially folks of North East India |
| · Upavedas (Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Gandharvaveda)· Chemistry of dyes, pigments, chemicals used in India | Herbal plantation as a source of Ayurveda and Phytomedicine. Estabishment of Charaka Garden. |
| · Novel materials, metallurgy and material sciences | Application of Bamboo, Canes and other forest resources for home construction materials, utensils etc. |