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Bengal’s Glorious and Diverse Heritage- Traditions and Festivals – Panel Discussion

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Event (April 5th 2025)

The Annual Conference of the West Bengal Chapter of IHAR (Indian History Awareness and Research) featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who reflected on Bengal’s glorious cultural heritage.

The second panel in this series focuses on the diversity of traditions and festivals in Bengal. About the speakers: Prof. Probal Roy Chowdhury – Director, Centre for New India Studies, Sister Nivedita University Dr. Amitava Chatterjee – Professor, Kazi Nazrul University Surya Sarathi Roy – Heritage Conservationist, Historian, Author, Director IHAR (N. India) Moderator: Suropriyo Chakraborty – Research Scholar, Sister Nivedita University 

Second Panel Discussion (Event April 18th)

The second panel discussion of the day of this Annual Conference dwells into the deeper understanding of Cultural Heritage spanning across not only Tangible & intangible heritage but also Natural Heritage as well. The UNESCO definition of Cultural Heritage sites which empowers the focus on the Outstanding Universal value based on which decisions are made to declare a site as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the aegis of ICOMOS, is also covered with a reflection of the team working behind this.

The session also spins a mesmerising web around the significance & importance Of our Cultural Heritage Corridors in reconstructing our history of architectural, spiritual, art, linguistic,epigrahic, numismatics, chronology & performing arts heritage spread across both rural & urban India in all its colours & glory. Much of India’s history & heritage resides in oral traditions, folktales & legends also, which this discussion brings to foray for the audience thereby stitching together a complete understanding of Heritage & its significance in maintaining our civilizational ethos

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Reclaiming Truth: Healing from Historical Distortions and the Historiography of False Narratives in Indian History

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Shimla, 13 August 2026: The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, organized the inaugural session of a two-day National Seminar on “Reclaiming Truth: Healing from Historical Distortions and the Historiography of False Narratives in Indian History” on 13 August 2026. The seminar, being held on 13 and 14 August 2026, brings together scholars, researchers, fellows, and academics to deliberate upon questions concerning historical interpretation, historiography, historical distortions, and the need for a critical and evidence-based understanding of Indian history.

The Keynote Address was delivered by
Shri Surya Sarathi Roy, Cultural Heritage Conservationist and Director, IHAR. In his insightful address, he discussed the relationship between historical memory, cultural heritage, and the preservation of authentic narratives. He emphasized the responsibility of scholars and institutions in safeguarding historical evidence and promoting a balanced and responsible engagement with India’s rich civilizational and cultural heritage.

The session was followed by the Presidential Address by Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director, IIAS, Shimla. In his address, Prof. Chaturvedi stressed the importance of scholarly objectivity, intellectual integrity, and evidence-based historical inquiry. He emphasized that the study of history must remain rooted in credible sources and critical analysis, while encouraging researchers to engage with multiple perspectives and interpretations. He also highlighted the role of academic institutions such as IIAS in fostering meaningful intellectual discourse on significant questions concerning India’s past and present.

The Introduction to the Theme was delivered by Dr. Pravat Ranjan Sethi, Department of History, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, and Convener of the Seminar.

The inaugural session concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. Rajeev Kumar Mishra, Librarian/Incharge (ARO), IIAS, Shimla, who expressed gratitude to the distinguished speakers, the Convener, scholars, fellows, participants, and all those associated with the organization of the seminar. He acknowledged their valuable contributions and support in making the academic programme possible.

The conference also saw papers presented by other IHAR scholars Asstt Prof.Sneha Nagarkar, Dr Prof Amitava Chatterjee & Sandipan Chatterjee.

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Ancient India and our Shared Asian Heritage : Houston Event July 18th 2026

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Indian History Awareness and Research (IHAR) and India House were honored to host an inspiring presentation and book release by renowned Indologist Dr. Shashibala, Dean of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi. Speaking on the theme “Ancient India & Our Shared Asian Heritage,” Dr. Shashibala took the audience on a remarkable journey across Asia, presenting decades of research that traces the enduring influence of Indian civilization beyond its borders. Through compelling historical evidence—including Sanskrit manuscripts, inscriptions, temple architecture, artistic traditions, archaeological discoveries, and cultural practices—she illustrated how Indian knowledge systems, philosophy, language, and spiritual traditions spread across regions such as Mongolia, China, Tibet, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and even parts of Russia, leaving an indelible imprint on world history.
The event also marked the release of Dr. Shashibala’s latest work – The Silk Route of Dharma – celebrating her lifelong dedication to documenting India’s civilizational contributions to humanity. Beyond history, her message was deeply relevant for today—highlighting the universal values of Dharma, compassion, harmony with nature, knowledge, and peaceful cultural exchange that have connected civilizations for centuries. The engaging presentation sparked thoughtful discussions among attendees and reaffirmed IHAR’s and India House Houston’s commitment to fostering awareness of India’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage while encouraging meaningful dialogue on our shared Asian past and its relevance for the future.
 

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IHAR participation in Doordarshan’s flagship Sanskrit news magazine show Vartavalli

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Dr. Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar, IHAR Science Cell Head & Executive Member, was invited to speak on the exploration of the nature of reality from both scientific and Indian Knowledge Systems perspectives on Doordarshan’s flagship Sanskrit news magazine show Vartavalli. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the show for its important role in promoting Indian culture and the Sanskrit language. In his talk, Dr. Guha Majumdar reflected on his intellectual journey and discussed key themes such as non-classical resonances within Advaita traditions, along with notable achievements in ancient Indian science and mathematics.
This marks Dr. Guha Majumdar’s third appearance on Doordarshan; a notable earlier feature included his documentary on quantum mechanics, ‘Chancing upon the Quantum’, produced under the Science India initiative.

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