MP’s education department recently held a three-day workshop in Bhopal where professors learned how traditional yagnas and dharmic values can be woven into modern computer learning and curriculum.
I’m writing about this topic because it shows how education in Madhya Pradesh is moving toward a balance of modern subjects with India’s cultural and intellectual heritage. This is important because education is not just about acquiring job skills; it is also about understanding the deeper values and traditions that have shaped our society. By including topics like yagnas, Vedic mathematics, ethical computing, and ancient texts such as the Ramayana and Arthashastra, the state is trying to build an approach that keeps students rooted while they advance in science and technology. This also answers a long-standing need to connect traditional Indian knowledge with modern research in a way that is practical and relevant. The move could help students develop a stronger identity, encourage fresh research areas, and prepare educators to deliver courses that are both engaging and meaningful.
Workshop Overview – Bridging Yagna, Dharma and Technology
For three days, 54 professors and assistant professors from government colleges across Madhya Pradesh gathered at the National Institute of Teachers Training and Research (NITTR) in Bhopal. The aim was to train them on how to weave traditional Hindu knowledge such as yagnas, Vedic mathematics, and teachings from Sanskrit texts into modern computer education and STEM subjects. The session was organised by the state’s Higher Education Department in collaboration with NITTR, Vijnana Bharti, and Vidya Bharti Akhil Bhartiya Siksha Sansthan.
Why This Approach Matters
Mandatory Module – From this academic year, Indian traditional knowledge has become a compulsory part of the first-year undergraduate curriculum across all streams.
Traditional Knowledge Cells – All 570 government colleges have been asked to set up a traditional knowledge cell and stock books like Swabhasha Lao-Angrezi Hatao and Uccha Shiksha Bharatiya Drushti. However, many coordinators were unsure how to integrate these topics into actual classes.
Training Master Educators – Vijnana Bharti stepped in to train coordinators so they can become master trainers and guide other faculty in their colleges.
Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Curriculum
In biochemistry, participants discussed the concept of Tvasta, described in ancient texts as the double helix of DNA. In biotechnology, they studied fermented foods and beverages mentioned in Vedic literature. Language experts examined how Sanskrit influenced English and looked into ancient methods of data handling and indexing. In computer science, sessions explored how dharmic principles could guide ethical technology use.
Prof. P.K. Purohit, the programme coordinator, encouraged research on traditional Indian accounting systems in commerce, Vedic algebra in mathematics, astronomical descriptions from Vedic texts for geography, and historical references from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He also spoke on linking Kautilya’s Arthashastra to economics, teaching the environmental benefits of materials used in yagnas, and studying ancient Indian timekeeping methods.
Vision and Implications
This effort is not about pushing religious beliefs but about reclaiming India’s intellectual heritage through research and science. Organisers pointed out that thousands of Sanskrit-based scientific works exist and that over 10,000 such books are being translated into Hindi and English. From the 2025–26 academic session, Indian Knowledge System courses will be rolled out across colleges in Madhya Pradesh. The Higher Education Minister called this a milestone in creating an India-centric education system.