New Delhi, 29 April, 2022: Vijnana Bharati recently organised a two-day conference from April 22 in recognition of the Indian National Calendar.
“The ministry of culture was the main organiser of the event and have willingly accepted to support the initiative. Over 1000 people registered to be a part of the event,” informed Jayant Sahasrabuddhe, National Organizing Secretary of Vijnana Bharati.
The conference was also organised by several science institutions such as IIT Indore, IUCAA, Madhya Pradesh Council Of Science And Technology, The Indian Institute of Architects among others.
Sahasrabuddhe, in his address, said, “Those who attacked and invaded our country, they wanted to destroy the identity of India. Simultaneously they imposed things that were alien to the nation. However, with independence we thought that we should reinstate the national identities including the calendric system.”
The National Calendar, formulated by the committee by the Independent Indian Government, has a signature of India in 1952. It is also related to our culture and ancient Indian science. The parliament also accepted and adopted the calendar for the country, he added.
There is no science behind January 1 as the New Year. However, our people took a scientific stand stating that the first day of the year should be the day when day and night are equal. This is the biggest scientificity of the calendar, answered Sahasrabuddhe when asked about the science behind the calendar. The committee took cognizance of different equinoxes which happen throughout the year; those days have been taken as the beginning of the particular month, he said.
The months have been derived from the names of the nakshatras, he added.
Vigyan Bharti is a science movement with Swadeshi Spirit. The idea is also to spread science and create scientific temper through the calendric system based on the scientific system.
The problem is the lack of awareness and use of the calendar. Earlier, it was decided that the calendar would be used only for administrative purposes. However, even though in the government documents, dates are mentioned according to the National Calendar, it is not given importance, concluded Sahasrabuddhe.
However, there are individuals who are fighting to get recognition for the national calendar. We need to get out of our colonial hangover as well, Sahasrabuddhe added.
The RBI has also asked the banks to accept cheques with dates from the national calendar, while some have denied Aadhaar cards unless the government accepts the national calendar. It is sad that even in independent India, we are fighting for our identity. We are here only to spread awareness, he added.
People should resolve to include the use of the National Calendar in their daily lives. That will serve the purpose of our initiative, said Jayant Sahasrabuddhe.
