Bhopal, September 6, 2025: The State Museum in Bhopal, the city of Raja Bhoja, became the epicenter of a significant academic advancement as it hosted the inaugural National Archaeological Conference alongside the formal launch of the Indian Historical Awareness and Research (IHAR) Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Chapter. The event, titled ‘Recent Researches in Indian Archaeology’, successfully convened a distinguished gathering of scholars, students, and enthusiasts, marking a pivotal moment for historical and archaeological studies in the region.

The day commenced with a traditional Invocation of knowledge, paying obeisance to Goddess Saraswati through a lamp-lighting ceremony and a SaraswatiVandana, followed by a captivating Bharatanatyam performance by Ms. Samriddha Sinha. She was accompanied by Mrs. Moumita Sinha, IHAR Convenor, North India. The auditorium was graced by the presence of eminent personalities from the fields of archaeology, history, and cultural studies, setting a tone of scholarly reverence and intellectual curiosity.The event was honoured by the presence of Chief Guest Dr.ShivakantBajpai, Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI Jabalpur Circle, and Special Guest Dr.Rachana Mishra, Head of the Department of History at PN College of Excellence, Bhopal. The event was further elevated byGuests of Honour including Dr. Manoj Kumar Kurmi (SA, ASI Bhopal Circle), Dr.KantiPawar (Archaeologist), Dr. R.P. Pandey (Retired Professor, Jiwaji University, Gwalior), Mr. Surya Sarathi Roy (Director of India Operations, IHAR), Dr. O.P. Mishra (Retired Deputy Director, State Archaeology, MP), Dr.GovindBatham (Professor), Dr.Namrata Yadav (Curator, State Museum, Bhopal), and Mr. Suresh Jain (Retired IAS Officer).

Following their felicitation, the dignitaries delivered insightful addresses, emphasizing the critical need for novel research, the reassessment of existing archaeological work, and strategies to enhance the current academic framework to better guide and inspire enthusiastic students. Their narratives, rich with field experiences, served as a profound inspiration for aspiring researchers.The pivotal moment of the inaugural session was the official announcement of the IHAR MP-CG Chapter by Mr. Surya Sarathi Roy, Mr. Shivam Dubey (Convenor, IHAR MP-CG Chapter), and Mr. Shivam Trivedi (Co-Convenor, IHAR MP-CG Chapter). The President of IHAR, Mr. SubrotoGangopadhyay, addressed the assembly via a video message, elucidating the organization’s origin, core objectives, and its overarching vision to promote historical awareness and rigorous research across India. This auspicious launch was commemorated with another powerful Bharatanatyam performance by Ms. Samriddha Sinha.

The post-lunch sessions transitioned into intense academic discourse with three technical sessions featuring the presentation of over fifteen research papers. Scholars and students from prestigious institutions nationwide, including Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Delhi University, University of Mumbai, and Deccan College, presented their findings. The sessions were adeptly chaired by Dr.ShivakantBajpai and Dr.Rachana Mishra (first session), Dr. Manoj Kumar Kurmi and Dr. R.P. Pandey (second session), and Dr.KantiPawar and Mr. Surya Sarathi Roy (third session). These presentations unveiled new perspectives and explored uncharted horizons in Indian archaeology, fostering a dynamic environment of learning. Each presentation was met with thoughtful queries and constructive feedback from the audience, providing invaluable suggestions for the researchers to refine their work.An interlude in the academic proceedings was provided by the screening of an insightful documentary, ‘The Unseen Bhojpur’, directed by Prashast and Shivaji Rai. The film captivated the audience, transporting them through the historical landscape and socio-religious essence of Bhojpur.The conference culminated in a highly enlightening panel discussion where the dignitaries engaged with pressing issues such as the challenges faced by young fieldworkers, the current state of archaeological research, the availability of fellowships, and emerging areas of academic inquiry. They fielded questions from the audience, addressing topics related to making archaeological studies more inclusive and accessible to a wider academic community.

The entire event was met with widespread appreciation from all attendees. The successful convergence of diverse minds from across the country truly upheld the essence of a national conference and significantly advanced IHAR’s objective of fostering a robust culture of historical and archaeological research. The conference not only provided a premier platform for young scholars to showcase their work but also established a vital new chapter for sustained academic collaboration and discourse in  India.

Scitya Foundation, in collaboration with the IHAR Science Cell, recently organized The IHAR Scitya Dialogues on the theme of increasing inclusivity and equity in the Science and Technology ecosystem. The event brought together eminent voices from academia, research, and policy to deliberate on pressing challenges and pathways for building a more just and participatory S&T framework.

The panel featured distinguished experts: Dr. Kinkini Dasgupta Misra (Senior Scientist, INSA), Dr. Kamalika Banerjee (Co-Founder, The Light Mission and Executive Member of IHAR Science Cell), and Dr. Nimita Pandey (Member, W4EAI, UNESCO). The session was moderated by Dr. Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar, Founder of Scitya Foundation and Chair of the IHAR Science Cell.

The discussion traversed a wide spectrum of themes — from the need for responsive governance and equitable policy formulation to participatory approaches in decision-making and the critical role of effective science communication. The panel emphasized that inclusivity in S&T is not merely an ethical imperative but a necessary condition for sustainable innovation and societal progress.

The event witnessed active participation from scholars and students of premier institutions such as IIT Delhi and JNU, alongside policymakers, academics, and industry representatives. The engagement reflected a growing recognition of the importance of collaborative dialogues in shaping the future of science, technology, and innovation in India.

The IHAR Scitya Dialogues marked a significant step towards nurturing an ecosystem where diversity, equity, and inclusion serve as the cornerstones of scientific advancement.

We are delighted to share that our West Bengal Convenor, Sri. Prasun Roy, along with other dignitaries, were invited to inaugurate the first-ever Virtual Museum (Bengal Revolution for India’s Liberation Virtual Museum) at the Press Club, Kolkata.

An initiative of the Madhyamgram Historical Society (an academic platform to discuss facts of History, particularly Indian History, formed by history-enthusiasts Boddhisatya Tarafdar, Mrinmoy Banerjee and Supriyo Mukherjee), this virtual museum seeks to honor the unsung and forgotten heroes of India’s Independence movement and highlight Bengal’s contributions to the armed revolution. The virtual museum is conceptualized and created by Boddhisatya Tarafdar.

Among the other dignitaries were, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandniece Tapati Ghosh, The Mentor & Karmadhyaksha (Shiksha, Sanskriti, Tathya-O-Krira Sthayee Samity), Hooghly Zilla Parishad, Dr. Subir Mukherjee, Journalist Suman Bhattacharya and Somdev Chatterjee.
IHAR is proud of this recognition and remains committed to supporting initiatives that preserve and promote our nation’s historical legacy.