
IP univ to set up centre for Indian knowledge system
New Delhi: In a step towards blending ancient wisdom with modern education, IP University is set to establish a dedicated Centre for Indian Knowledge System (IKS) on its Dwarka campus.
The centre, named the In Situ Centre for Indian Knowledge System and Technology Innovation (CIKTSI), will operate initially in self-finance mode under the University School of Education. Professor Saroj Sharma, dean of the school, will lead the initiative.
According to Sharma, the centre is envisioned as a multidisciplinary platform that will foster collaboration across various disciplines within the university.
"A working committee will be constituted with representation from all concerned schools to ensure the integrated and holistic development of the centre's initiatives," she added. She explained that the centre's establishment is closely tied to the evolving landscape of education in India, particularly under the framework of the National Education Policy 2020.
According to officials, the purpose of CIKTSI extends beyond academics—it seeks to create a hub for research, innovation, and cultural revival. It will focus on incorporating IKS into the academic curriculum of various schools within the university, developing new interdisciplinary courses, and promoting research and innovation in the field. It will also support initiatives in skill and capacity development, foster entrepreneurship, and work toward the digital documentation and preservation of traditional knowledge.
Vice-chancellor Mahesh Verma described the initiative as an effort to integrate India's ancient wisdom with modern research saying it will strengthen national identity and lead to cultural revival.

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Although I have been following manned space programme ever since Yuri Gagarin's space flight, I have to admit that I never dreamt of ever going to space, primarily because the Indian Space Research Organisation at that time never had a manned space programme. But when we learned, we in the Air Force, I mean, that Mrs. Gandhi had asked the Indian Air Force whether we would like to send one of our pilots to space, so Air Chief Marshal Latif, who was the chief of the air staff at that time, thankfully said yes. And then this long selection process started, at the end of which Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra and myself were selected to undergo training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmodrome Training Centre just outside Moscow at Star City. Q. How did your career as a fighter pilot prepare you for the rigors of spaceflight? A. Well, my career as a fighter pilot, most importantly, prepared me for the space flight because the qualification that was required from amongst the aspirants, the selection was made from amongst military pilots, fighter pilots who were test pilots. And so, I was one. So was Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra and quite a few others. And then a long series of medical tests started. So, in that sense, if I hadn't been in the Air Force, at least for that flight, I wouldn't have been qualified even to get selected. So that's how the Indian Air Force helped me to be one of the aspirants for selection. Q. Millions of Indians still fondly recall the moment when you famously described India as 'Saare Jahan Se Achha.' What are your own recollections of that historic moment? A. Well, my recollection of that particular event. I do remember that I was extremely nervous because one doesn't get to speak with one, our country's prime minister. 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And if you think that it's going to be extremely difficult for you to become an astronaut, just remember that things are never as difficult as they appear at first glance. So, just go for it. and make sure and there are many verticals with which you can be a researcher you can be an environmental engineer because there's a lot of activity that's going to happen in the medium term when we set up colonies initially on moon and later on, mars so don't miss the bus and all the best to all of you. Jai Hind.