The golden thread of knowledge of India
| Dr. Brotati Chaktaborty - 01 Mar 2025
On a quiet evening, Riya sat ..in her grandfather’s study, flipping through pages of dusty books with golden lettering. “Dadu,” she asked, “everyone talks about India’s great knowledge system. But where is it now? I don’t see it in my textbooks.” Her grandfather, a retired professor, smiled knowingly and began a story that would change her view of the world.
“Riya,” he began, “India’s knowledge isn’t just in books; it’s in the way we live, think, and solve problems. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors didn’t just observe the world—they understood its harmony. They gave us Ayurveda, not just as medicine but as a way of life. Charaka and Sushruta wrote texts that modern medicine still draws from. Mathematics flourished here—not just numbers but the revolutionary concept of zero. Aryabhata’s contributions laid the foundation for space exploration and technology. And yoga? It’s not exercise; it’s a science of the body, mind, and spirit.”
Riya leaned closer, fascinated. Her grandfather continued, “Take our ancient irrigation systems. The stepwells and tanks built centuries ago managed water better than many modern methods. Or the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, which teaches leadership and resilience. This is the Indian Knowledge System—a treasure trove of ideas so timeless that they solve problems even today.”
“But why don’t we study these things anymore?” Riya asked. Her grandfather sighed. “We’ve forgotten. Colonization made us think our wisdom was outdated. But now, the world is rediscovering it. Foreign universities research Vedic mathematics and Ayurveda. NASA uses algorithms rooted in ancient texts. Farmers in drought-hit areas study Indian irrigation techniques. The knowledge we left behind is slowly coming back, but it’s up to you, the younger generation, to revive it fully.”
That night, Riya couldn’t sleep. She began exploring the depths of India’s contributions to science, art, and philosophy. The more she read, the more she realized how relevant it still was. She shared her findings with friends and teachers, writing articles and starting conversations. Soon, her small efforts snowballed. Schools invited her to speak about Vedic mathematics, and her workshops on yoga for mental health became a sensation.
Riya’s journey became a movement, inspiring others to reconnect with their roots. Years later, as she spoke at an international conference, she said, “India’s knowledge is not just our past; it’s a solution for the future. It teaches us to innovate while staying in harmony with nature, to grow without destroying, and to find balance in chaos.”
Her words echoed what her grandfather had said: India’s greatest treasure isn’t buried in the ground—it’s alive in its wisdom. It’s time we rediscover it, not just for ourselves but for the world
On a quiet evening, Rija sat in her grandfather’s study, flipping through pages of dusty books with golden lettering. “Dadu,” she asked, “everyone talks about India’s great knowledge system. But where is it now? I don’t see it in my textbooks.” Her grandfather, a retired professor, smiled knowingly and began a story that would change her view of the world.
“Rija,” he began, “India’s knowledge isn’t just in books; it’s in the way we live, think, and solve problems. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors didn’t just observe the world—they understood its harmony. They gave us Ayurveda, not just as medicine but as a way of life. Charaka and Sushruta wrote texts that modern medicine still draws from. Mathematics flourished here—not just numbers but the revolutionary concept of zero. Aryabhata’s contributions laid the foundation for space exploration and technology. And yoga? It’s not exercise; it’s a science of the body, mind, and spirit.”
Rija leaned closer, fascinated. Her grandfather continued, “Take our ancient irrigation systems. The stepwells and tanks built centuries ago managed water better than many modern methods. Or the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, which teaches leadership and resilience. This is the Indian Knowledge System—a treasure trove of ideas so timeless that they solve problems even today.”
“But why don’t we study these things anymore?” Rija asked. Her grandfather sighed. “We’ve forgotten. Colonization made us think our wisdom was outdated. But now, the world is rediscovering it. Foreign universities research Vedic mathematics and Ayurveda. NASA uses algorithms rooted in ancient texts. Farmers in drought-hit areas study Indian irrigation techniques. The knowledge we left behind is slowly coming back, but it’s up to you, the younger generation, to revive it fully.”
That night, Rija couldn’t sleep. She began exploring the depths of India’s contributions to science, art, and philosophy. The more she read, the more she realized how relevant it still was. She shared her findings with friends and teachers, writing articles and starting conversations. Soon, her small efforts snowballed. Schools invited her to speak about Vedic mathematics, and her workshops on yoga for mental health became a sensation.
Rija’s journey became a movement, inspiring others to reconnect with their roots. Years later, as she spoke at an international conference, she said, “India’s knowledge is not just our past; it’s a solution for the future. It teaches us to innovate while staying in harmony with nature, to grow without destroying, and to find balance in chaos.”
Her words echoed what her grandfather had said: India’s greatest treasure isn’t buried in the ground—it’s alive in its wisdom. It’s time we rediscover it, not just for ourselves but for the world.
“Indian wisdom teaches us not just how to survive, but how to thrive—with balance, purpose, and boundless creativity.”
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