Lucknow: On August 13, 2025, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi — an autonomous trust under the Ministry of Culture — and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow — an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology — signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IGNCA.
This marks India’s first unified platform integrating science and culture, aimed at showcasing the nation’s scientific achievements and cultural heritage to domestic and global audiences. The event also coincided with the orientation programme for eleven Postgraduate (PG) Diploma courses organized by IGNCA, reflecting a strong push toward experiential learning and the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary education.
MoU Objectives and Scope
The IGNCA–BSIP MoU seeks to advance collaborative research, education, and outreach at the intersection of science and culture. The core focus areas include:
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Interdisciplinary Research & Documentation – Linking scientific inquiry with cultural narratives.
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Digitisation & Museum Development – Preserving heritage through modern technology.
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Heritage Conservation & Training – Capacity building for conservation professionals.
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Project Mausam Collaboration – Studying climate change impacts in maritime history.
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Joint Events & Publications – Conferences, exhibitions, and scholarly works.
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Fieldwork & Audio-visual Documentation – On-ground research with public dissemination.
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Public Outreach – Awareness campaigns to sensitise citizens about heritage and its preservation.
Nodal Officers
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IGNCA: Dr. Achal Pandya, Head & Professor, Conservation Division
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BSIP: Dr. Shilpa Pandey, Senior Scientist
Leaders’ Perspectives
Prof. Mahesh G. Thakkar, Director, BSIP
Described the initiative as a significant step toward uniting science, art, and culture to increase public awareness about India’s past, present, and future. He stressed that this collaboration would inspire the youth, promote exhibitions, research, and publications, and strengthen the preservation of national heritage.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA
Compared IGNCA to “a ship with only one-third visible above water,” symbolizing the vast cultural reservoir still to be explored. He outlined the evolution of IGNCA’s academic initiatives — from three PG Diploma courses in 2017 to eleven diverse, passion-driven and practice-oriented programmes today.
He also highlighted IGNCA’s contributions, including:
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Art installations in the new Parliament building
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The world’s largest Ashtadhatu Nataraja statue at Bharat Mandapam
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India Pavilion at the Osaka Expo
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Mera Gaon, Meri Dharohar project mapping 6.5 lakh villages’ heritage
Dr. Shilpa Pandey, Senior Scientist, BSIP
Stressed that the collaboration would renew focus on the overlooked intersections of science, arts, and society, producing documentaries and campaigns to protect endangered traditions from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari.
Prof. Achal Pandya, Head, Conservation Division, IGNCA
Emphasized that this alliance was a bridge between past and future, merging scientific precision with cultural essence to tell India’s story to the world.
PG Diploma Orientation: Experiential Learning at the Core
Alongside the MoU signing, IGNCA launched its academic year for eleven PG Diploma programmes spanning:
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Cultural Informatics
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Indian Literature
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Conservation and Heritage Management
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Other heritage and cultural disciplines
These courses are designed to provide hands-on training and close engagement with living traditions, equipping students with both practical skills and theoretical grounding. The orientation encouraged participants to see themselves as cultural ambassadors.
Significance of the Collaboration
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First-of-its-kind initiative to unite science and culture on one national platform.
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Promotes interdisciplinary research and public engagement in heritage preservation.
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Strengthens India’s soft power by showcasing its cultural depth alongside scientific excellence.
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Aligns with global sustainable heritage management practices.
Conclusion
The signing of the MoU between IGNCA and BSIP on August 13, 2025, represents a transformative milestone in India’s cultural and scientific landscape. By fusing research, innovation, and outreach, the initiative aims to preserve, interpret, and present India’s heritage in ways that are both technologically advanced and deeply rooted in tradition.
Coupled with IGNCA’s expanding academic programmes focused on experiential learning, the partnership underscores a future where scientific rigor meets cultural wisdom, inspiring generations to value and protect India’s legacy on the world stage.
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Source: PIB
