Guwahati, March 20: The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) celebrated the
beginning of the Hindu Lunar New Year on Thursday with a thought-provoking discourse on “The
Concept of Time,” beautifully highlighting the harmony between science and culture while
emphasising India’s rich astronomical heritage.
The event featured a special address by eminent astrophysicist Dr. Kishor Kumar Baruah,
Former In-Charge of the Tezpur University Observatory, Department of Physics, Tezpur
University. Organised by the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems and the Department of
Physics, in association with the IQAC, the programme was graced by RGU Vice Chancellor
Prof AK Buragohain, apart from other dignitaries and students, according to a RGU press release.
Delivering his address, Dr. Baruah elaborated on the astronomical significance of this time of
the year. He noted that March 19 falls very close to the Vernal Equinox—a major celestial
event when the Sun is positioned directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal
durations of day and night across the globe.
Highlighting on the concept of time in different religions and cultures, he said that ancient
cultures such as Incan, Mayan, Hopi, Native American Tribes, Babylonians, Ancient Greeks
and the Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and others have a concept of a wheel of time. “The
Vedas, the earliest texts on Indian philosophy and Hindu philosophy, describe ancient Hindu
cosmology, in which the universe goes through repeated cycles of creation, destruction and
rebirth”, he added.
Dr. Baruah said that such observances are not merely cultural traditions but are deeply rooted
in precise astronomical observations made by ancient Indian scholars, reflecting the scientific
temper embedded in India’s traditional knowledge systems.
Earlier, welcoming the distinguished guest and the gathering, Prof. Aniruddha Chatterjee,
Dean of the Royal School of Applied and Pure Sciences, remarked that Assam’s historical
identity as Pragjyotishpur reflects a long-standing tradition of advanced understanding of
celestial phenomena. “Carrying forward this rich legacy, RGU places strong emphasis on
integrating Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems with modern scientific approaches,
fostering a culture where ancient wisdom and contemporary science complement each other,”
he stated.
Prof. Amlan Das, Head, Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, thanked eminent
astrophysicist Dr. Kishor Kumar Baruah for his thought-provoking presentation. The
programme ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Nitu Borgohain, Assistant Professor,
Department of Physics.
