Dhanbad: Professor Debi Prasad Mishra, Director of the National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTR) Kolkata, delivered a compelling lecture on “Relevance of Bharatiya Traditional Technology in Modern Times,” on the fourth day of IIT-ISM’s five-day orientation program for the 2024 undergraduate batch.
The session took place at the Penman Auditorium and was attended by approximately 1,000 students, faculty, and officials, including Professor Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT-ISM.
Professor Mishra, also a professor in the Aerospace Engineering and Design Programme at IIT Kanpur, addressed the audience on the importance of reviving ancient Indian scientific and technological practices. He discussed the challenges posed by modern technology, including environmental degradation and the overexploitation of natural resources.
“The problems we face today stem from the misuse of modern science and technology, flawed philosophies, and a lack of vision and leadership,” Professor Mishra explained. He argued that revisiting and integrating ancient scientific knowledge could offer solutions to contemporary issues.
During his hour-long lecture, Professor Mishra, who has authored over 260 research papers and led 32 research projects, explored various traditional Indian technologies. He highlighted fields such as Ayurveda, Yoga, ancient agriculture practices, and traditional irrigation systems.
Using modern agricultural practices as an example, he pointed out how artificial fertilizers and herbicides pollute water sources, advocating for natural farming as a viable alternative.
Professor Mishra also introduced his Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Swayam Platform of NPTEL, which covers ancient Indian technology. He emphasized the benefits of traditional Anicut Technology for irrigation, which involves building masonry check dams to manage water resources effectively.
The event was also attended by Professor Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director; Professor Rajni Singh, Dean of Corporate Communications; and other dignitaries.
