2014 Seminar photos

Valedictory address by Hon’ble Justice Som Nath Aggarwal and Shri Manbir Singh, Member, UPSC on 24th February, 2014

  

  

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SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF 2014 SEMINAR

डॉ. ए पी जे अब्दुल कलाम द्वारा पुस्तक - वैदिक युग एवं रामायण काल की ऐतिहासिकता का विमोचन

Book launched by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam on 15.3 2013
(Click for Photographs of Book Launch)

Abridged edition in Hindi with the title

वैदिक युग एवं रामायण काल की ऐतिहासिकता......

वैदिक युग एवम रामायण काल की ऐतिहासिकता

इस पुस्तक का विमोचन आदरणीय श्री अब्दुल कलम जी के कर कमलों से  15 मार्च 2013 को हुआ

इस पुस्तक के अनुसार: खगोल विज्ञान, समुद्र विज्ञान, अनुवांशिकी सम्बन्धी प्रलेखों, भूगोल, पुरातत्व तथा स्पेस इमेजरी इत्यादि विषयों के वैज्ञानिक शोध विवरणों से ज्ञात होता है कि–

1.  भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप में स्थानीय सभ्यता पिछले 10000 वर्षों से निरंतर विकसित हो रही है तथा आर्य भारतीय मूल के ही थे।

2.  खगोल विज्ञान, भौतिकी, रसायन शास्त्र, धातुकर्म, दवा एवं वनस्पति विज्ञान इत्यादि शास्त्रों के विश्व के प्राचीनतम संग्रह वेद हैं।

3.  भारतीय महाकाव्य प्राचीन राजवंशों, जन समुदायों तथा जनजातियों का इतिहास, भूगोल तथा जीवन शैली का ज्ञान प्रदान करते हैं।

4.  ऋग्वेद तथा रामायण विभिन्न खगोलीय स्थितियों का उल्लेख करते हैं, जो की 9000 वर्ष पूर्व से 7000 वर्ष पूर्व क्रमानुसार आकाश में देखे जा सकते थे, जब कि महाभारत के दृश्यों का संबंध 5100 वर्ष पूर्व से है।

5.  ऋग्वेद में वर्णित कुछ महत्वपूर्ण तिथियों के खगोलीय संदर्भो का संबंध 7000–5500  ईसा पूर्व (9000-7500 वर्ष पूर्व) काल के अंतरिक्ष पर्यवेक्षणों से है

6.  वाल्मीकि रामायण में वर्णित खगोलीय सन्दर्भ भी 7100 वर्ष पूर्व के आकाशीय दृश्यों को क्रमिक रूप से प्रतिबिंबित करते है।

7.  भगवान राम के जन्म समय के आकाशीय दृश्य अयोध्या से 10 जनवरी, 5114 ईसा पूर्व अर्थात अब से 7129 वर्ष पूर्व देखे जा सकते थे, इस दिन वाल्मीकि रामायण में वर्णित राम की जन्म तिथि चैत्र माह के शुक्ल पक्ष की नवमी तिथि का होना भी स्पष्ट होता है।

8.  पुत्र–कामेष्ठी यज्ञ (15 जनवरी, 5114 ईसा पूर्व) से लेकर अशोक वाटिका में हनुमान के सीता से मिलने की तिथि (12 सितम्बर, 5076 ईसा पूर्व) तक के अधिकांश आकाशीय दृश्य रामायण के वर्णन से न सिर्फ पूर्णतः मिलते है बल्कि क्रमिक रूप से भी मेल खाते है।

9.  पुरातात्त्विक स्थलों से प्राप्त अतीत से सम्बंधित अवशेषों के विश्लेषण से सातवी-चौथी सहस्राब्दी ईसा पूर्व (9000-5500 वर्ष पूर्व) काल में सभ्य मानव की बस्तियों के प्रमाण मिलते है।

10. इन स्थलों से प्राप्त सामग्री एवं कलाकृतियों की वेदो एवं महाकाव्यों के वर्णनों से समता पिछले 9000-7000 वर्षो से वैदिक संस्कृति की निरंतरता को इंगित करती है।

11.    हड़प्पा सभ्यता वैदिक सभ्यता का ही एक विस्तार था। लगभग 3000 उत्खनित स्थलों से प्राप्त अधिकांश कलाकृतियां, मिट्टी के बर्तन तथा अन्य सामग्री, रामायण एवं वेदो में वर्णित मिट्टी के बर्तन, धातु विज्ञान और कृषि सम्बंधित वर्णनों की पुष्टि करते है।

12.  सिंधु, सरस्वती एवं गंगा नदी घाटियों में अवस्थित कुछ उत्खनित स्थलों के वर्णन शामिल किए गए हैं ।

13.     रामसेतु वर्तमान में समुद्र के जल स्तर के तीन मीटर अंदर जलमग्न है।

14.    रामायण (16/22/45-73)  के अनुसार पांच दिन में द्वीपों,पहाड़ों तथा बालू के ढेर की श्रंखला के अंतराल को भर कर सेतु का निर्माण हुआ।

15.     इसके लिए चट्टानों, कंकर, पत्थरों और साल, नारियल, आम, अशोक, अर्जुन, बबूल एवं बेल इत्यादि पेड़ों को विभिन यंत्रो के माध्यम से लाया गया था।

16.   राष्ट्रीय समुद्र विज्ञान संस्थान (एनआईओ) गोवा, के द्वारा तैयार समुद्र तल वक्र के अनुसार, 7000 वर्ष पूर्व समुद्र का जल स्तर वर्तमान से तीन मीटर कम था, जो श्रीराम (सूर्यवंश के 64 वे प्रख्यात शासक) से सम्बंधित खगोलीय तारीखों की पुष्टि करता है।

17.  रामायण (6/19/31, 6/22/50) के अनुसार समुद्र का जलस्तर राजा भगीरथ (44 वे शासक) तथा राजा सगर (40 वे शासक) नामक श्रीराम के पूर्वजो द्वारा संवर्धित किया गया था। समुद्र तल वक्र भी 8000-7000 वर्ष पूर्व समुद्र के जलस्तर में दस मीटर वृद्धि के संकेत देता है।

9000 वर्षों से वैदिक संस्कृति की निरन्तरता बनी हुई है -

हम आज भी पासे का खेल खेलते हैं और अपने बच्चों को प्यासे कौवे की कहानी सुनाते हैं।

हम वर्तमान में भी सूर्य, चंद्रमा, नदियों तथा वायु देवता आदिके रूप में प्रकृति की शक्तियों की पूजा-अर्चना करते है।

वैदिक जीवन पद्धति ग्रामीण भारत के रोम रोम में बसी हुई है। चार वर्ण जहाँ समाज के क्रियात्मकविभाजन को प्रस्तुत करते है वही चार आश्रम बचपन से बुढ़ापे तक जीवन को संचालित करते हैं।

जीवन के विभिन्न चरणों में शुद्धि हेतु मनाये जाने वाले सोलह संस्कार कुछ परिवर्तनों के साथ अभी भी सामाजिक परम्पराओं का अभिन्न अंग हैं; गर्भाधान, नामकरण, विद्यारम्भ, विवाह तथा अंत्येष्टि इत्यादि आज भी समाज में प्रचलित है।

हम अभी भी यज्ञ, हवन, श्राद्ध, नवरात्र आदि जैसे वैदिक अनुष्ठानों में आस्था रखते हैं। श्रुति-स्मृति परंपरा वर्तमान गुरुकुलों मेंआज भी शिक्षा का अभिन्न हिस्सा है।

शिवलिंग, स्वास्तिक तथा ॐ जैसे वैदिक प्रतीकों को आज भी पवित्र माना जाता है। वैदिक काल से वर्तमान काल तक भारतीय हाथ जोड़कर ही नमस्कार करते है।

Some memories of Book Launch with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

   

       

The First Book Authored by Smt. Saroj Bala was -  Historicity of Vedic and Ramayan Eras: Scientific Evidences from the Depths of Oceans to the Heights of Skies.This book included the inaugural address delivered by honorable Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and presentations by Eminent Scientists from eight disciplines of science. The book was  Launched in August 2012.

About the Book 

This book makes a case to rewrite the history of the world, particularly of the Indian subcontinent, based purely on multi-disciplinary scientific research.

The book has attempted to give the exact dates of events narrated in Vedas and Ramayan by generating the sky views using planetarium software.

The planetary references in Valmiki Ramayan were actually seen in the sky from the given latitudes and longitudes around 5100 BC and these matches sequentially. See the slides depicting those sky views!

The way in which archaeological, paleobotanical, oceanographic, geological, ecological, genetic and remote sensing research reports corroborate the astronomical dates is amazing!

The book, using the sea level curve prepared by the Oceanographers, confirms that submerged Ram Sethu was at a walkable level around 7100 years back.

Genome studies have revealed that Dravidians and north Indians had common ancestors and indigenous civilization has constantly been developing in India for more than 10000 years.

The book will persuade you to rethink if Ramayan and Mahabharat were merely the imagination of the poets or these contained some hard historical facts about our glorious past. 

The book ‘Historicity of Vedic and Ramayan Eras: Scientific Evidences from the Depths of Oceans to the Heights of Skies’ contains the presentations made by Scientists from eight disciplines of Science during the Seminar held on 30-31 July 2011. The most important is the Inaugural address delivered by HonorablrDr A P J Abdul Kalam. Based on these presentations it got clarified that the belief that Aryans invaded India around 1500 BCE is false and incorrect. Multidisciplinary and purely scientific research has shown that indigenous civilization has been developing indigenously for last 9000 years in India. As a result, many questions raised during the deliberations at the seminar were answered as under by the experts/ scientists:

 

        i. The astronomical dates, calculated so far, indicate the development of an indigenous civilization in India from dates even prior to 6000 B.C.  Astronomical references in Rigveda represent the sky view of dates belonging to the period 8000 BC to 4000 BC and those mentioned in Ramayan refer to sky views seen sequentially on dates around 5100 BC. These dates were exclusive and matched sequentially.

 

                  ii. The ecological references in ancient books, especiallythose relating to melting ofglaciers and fluctuationsin watervolumesofancientrivers seem to corroborate such astronomical dates. Recent research reports onpaleoclimaticchanges also corroborate these conclusions.

 

            iii. Remote Sensing pictures taken by ISRO, corroborated by geological reports, have revealed that a mighty river system, referred to in Vedas and epics as Saraswati, was flowing with full majesty around 6000 BC. The river slowly dried up and almost disappeared around 3000 BC. These conclusions have been supported by sedimentology, hydrogeology and drilling data.

 

         iv.The oceanographic reports on fluctuations of water levels in the oceans have revealed the existence of many coastal archaeological sites, either submerged or now found land locked, dated from 7500 BC onwards e.g. a Neolithic settlement near Hazira, Dholavira, JuniKuran, Surkotda, PrabhasPatan and Dwarka etc. It is important to note these included Dwarka and Prabhas.

 

              v.The paleobotanical research reports have reported that certain cultivated varieties of plants, trees and herbs, which are mentioned in Vedas and Epics, have existed in India continuously for more than 8000-10000 years. Sincethese remained in use continuously, there was not any abrupt end of ancient Indian civilization as is believed.

 

      vi.The anthropological research reports have established that DNA dating for Paleolithic continuity starts from 60,000 BC. The Genome studies during the Holocene have revealed that the genetic profile of humans settled in north, south, east and west of India is the same and has remained the same for the last more than 11000 years. Therefore, contrary to the popular belief, the Dravidians as well as north Indians have common ancestors and both are originals of India.

 

              vii. The latest archaeological excavations have revealed large volume of new data which has proved the indigenous origin and development of civilization in the Indian Subcontinent since 7000 BC. Some examples are: Mehrgarh, KotDiji and Nausharo in the northwest; Lothal and Dholavira in the west; Lahuradeva, Jhusi, Tokwa and Hetapatti in the east. Thus, Archaeology is also supporting the astronomical, ecological and anthropological conclusions that Aryans were originals of India, they have been creating and nurturing a very advanced civilization for last 10,000 years and dispersal probably happened the other way round?

 

            Smt. Saroj Bala concluded by stating that the key findings of the Seminar have the potential of uniting all Indians and raising their self-esteem by giving them shared pride in their ancient most rich cultural heritage because it has been scientifically proved that indigenous civilization have been developing and flourishing in India for last 9000 years and that some of our ancestors moved out to civilize people of some other countries.

Dr. Kalam delivering inaugural address on 30th July 2011 during the seminar -  Scientific Dating of Ancient events before 2000 BC 

 

Hear Dr. Kalam’s inaugural address on 30th July 2011; he has rejected the Aryan invasion theory and has made a strong case for rewriting the history of the Indian subcontinent, based purely on multi-disciplinary scientific research. Hear him saying - I am happy that through such genomic studies, it has been found that Harappan civilization was not of mysterious people of unknown biological origins, or migrants from centers of high culture in western Asia, but they were descendants of population identified with pre-Harappan cultures of the North Western sector of the sub-continent. This makes research in genetic engineering, using human genome sequences to understand the evolution of humans, very fascinating for scientists…... I am happy that through the use of modern technology the perception of Indian Archaeology has changed and has facilitated the researchers to prove an indigenous origin of civilization in the Indian Sub-continent. This is an important factor which should work as an integrator of the entire nation since all of us have come into this land from the same ancestors and roots. The research on scientific dating may have partners, who can provide scientific, astronomical, anthropological and geological and genetic data to ascertain the veracity of the historical events.

Astronomical dates of Planetary references in Rigveda & Ramayan, supported by Archaeological, Oceanograohic and Remote Sensing Proofs

1. While welcoming Dr. Kalam as Chief Guest, Saroj Bala is providing overview of Seminar ‘Scientific Dating of Ancient Events before 2000 BC: Astronomical Dating of Planetary References in ancient Sanskrit Manuscripts & Corroborating Archaeological, Anthropological, Oceanographic and Remote Sensing Evidences, on 30th July 2011’.

2. This video makes a case for rewriting the history of the Indian subcontinent, based purely on multi-disciplinary scientific research. The planetary references in Valmiki Ramayan could actually be seen sequentially in the sky around 5100 BCE, confirming the assertions made by Dr Kalam during inaugural address.

3. The way in which archaeological, paleo-botanical, oceanographic, ecological and remote sensing research reports corroborate these astronomical dates is amazing!

While delivering the inaugural address Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam said, “I am happy that through such genomic studies, it has been found that Harappan civilization was not of mysterious people of unknown biological origins, or migrants from centres of high culture in western Asia, but they were descendants of population identified with pre-Harappan cultures of the North Western sector of the sub-continent. This makes research in genetic engineering, using human genome sequences to understand the evolution of humans, very fascinating for scientists…. I am happy that through the use of modern technology the perception of Indian Archaeology has changed and has facilitated the researchers to prove an indigenous origin of civilization in the Indian Sub-continent.

4. This is an important factor which should work as an integrator of the entire nation since all of us have come into this land from the same ancestors and roots. The research on scientific dating may have partners, who can provide scientific, astronomical, anthropological and geological and genetic data to ascertain the veracity of the historical events.

5. This was the first presentation before scholars and scientists of multi-disciplinary scientific research carried out for ten years. Once the astronomical dates, using Planetarium Gold Software, were determined which cannot be repeated again in 25920 years, the corroboration using other planetarium soft-wares and also correlation with evidence from archaeological, paleo-botanical, oceanographic, ecological, genetic and remote sensing research reports have continued till date. Two Seminars, two Conferences and two Exhibitions have been organised so far and six books have been authored on the subject.

For more information and videos on the subject visit -

https://www.youtube.com/c/RigvedatoRobotics/videos

Past meets the Present Leading to a Better Future

Address delivered

 

(Text of the address delivered by His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of India on 30.7.2011 while inaugurating the National Seminar on Scientific Dating of Ancient Events organised by I-SERVE Delhi Chapter)

 

"The DNA of a human being is 
his history book ever written"

 

I am indeed delighted to participate in the inauguration of Seminar on Scientific Dating of Ancient Events Before 2000 BC at New Delhi. My greetings to all of you. Friends, I am happy that all of you are engaged in the mission of establishing synergy between the scientific wisdom of ancient India and modern scientific inventions in various areas such as agriculture, energy, medicine, weapon systems and metallurgy. I am sure this type of study will enable us to utilize the scientific techniques used by our ancestors and lead towards an eco-friendly planet earth for the present and future. When I am here with all of you, I would like to share my thoughts on the topic "Past meets the Present leading to a Better Future".

Friends, when you are all working on scientific dating of epics particularly Ramayana I would like to share with you my personal experience. I was born in British India in Rameshwaram grown there for 16 years when India's? India emerged. My life is completely inter connected in lovely way because during various phases, my life sea waves were giving me beautiful songs, songs of freedom and songs of development. The entire Rameshwaram Island is known to me with great detail every part of it, because as a young boy I used to travel all parts of the Island to deliver the news paper daily to various houses. In my eyes Gandhamanaparvatham appears from where Rama is supposed to have seen Srilanka. In front of me appears the famous KothandaRamar Temple of Rameshwaram. Also I see the Ramatheertham, Lakshmanatheertham and Jatayutheertham and Agnitheertham in different areas of Rameshwaram. The central point is the Ramanathaswamy Temple where we find the Siva linga which Lord Rama had worshiped. Today being the new moon day of Adi month, minimum 3 Lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country will be converging at Rameshwaram for sea bath. On this day, Lord Rama is supposed to have taken the bath in the Rameshwaram Sea after returning from the war to remove the Doshas of killing Ravanan. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Island every day and enjoy its beauty and spirituality. I will be the happiest fellow, if through scientific dimensions establish the places from where there Lord Ram, Lashmana, Hanuman, Sugreeva and the Vanarasena created a base before launching the war on Srilanka. Really I have a profound interest in scientific dating of Ramayana.

 

Dating of events leads to transforming mythology into history

Vedic and post-Vedic literature has a tremendous amount of scientific knowledge which will be extremely beneficial to humanity. For creating a faith in these documents, there is a need to establish the date of occurrence of Vedas and Upanishads which are contained in our mythology, so that they are transformed into historical events and not imaginary mythological events. I am happy that this is what the researchers in astronomy, ecology, theology, archaeology, anthropology and space science assembled here have carried out and are in the process of demonstrating it to the modern scientific world.

 

If we look at the study on Scientific dating of Ramayana, the important aspect about the  Ramayana is that when Valmiki wrote the epic, he made it with many proofs. He packed so much information about the various planetary positions of those days, the geography of the areas mentioned in the epic, the seasonal events, and about the genealogy of various kings that it is virtually a no-brainer to establish the dates on which those events occurred.

 

Genealogical links and archaeological findings provide clues to the dating of the Ramayana era. According to writer B.R. Haran, in no other nation and no other religion in the world, true history is so meticulously documented, supported by many evidences. Any ancient history is supported with evidences of architecture and literature. The Sangam literature is the documented evidence for the existence and ruling of Tamil kings, and similarly, Ramayana and Mahabharata are the documented evidence for Rama and Krishna. 

Archaeological and literary methods can only provide approximate datelines. For determining the precise time of the Ramayana events, scientists use astronomical calculations. Several of India's leading astronomers and nuclear scientists have come together to establish the dates of India's ancient history.

 

So how is astronomical dating done? Says eminent historian Dr P.V. Vartak: "Sage Valmiki has recorded the dates of events in detail, albeit by describing the positions of stars and planets. To decipher the astronomical encodings has not been a trivial task, and not many have attempted to do so. It should be noted that the ancient Indians had a perfect method of time measurement. They recorded the 'tithis', days according to the nakshatra on which the moon prevailed, the months, the seasons and even the different solstices. By noting a particular arrangement of the astronomical bodies, which occurs once in many thousand years, the dates of the events can be calculated."

Dr. Vartak has taken hundreds of illustrated passages from the epic to establish dates. Valmiki records the birth of Rama as ChaitraShuddhaNavami (9th), on Punarvasu Nakshatra and five planets were exalted then; Sun in Mesha up to 10 deg., Mars in Capricorn at 28 deg., Jupiter in Cancer at 5 deg., Venus in Pisces at 27 deg. and Saturn in Libra at 20 deg. (Bala Kanda.18/Shloka 8,9). December 4, 7323 B.C. therefore is the date of birth of Rama, when the four planets exalted. Ramayana occurred over 9300 years ago.

For example, Rigveda talks about an advanced civilized predominantly urban and maritime society which has used variety of ships, boats and 75 different types of houses which includes hutments and palaces. Vedic literature reveals that Indians had very advanced knowledge of mathematics and were possessing extraordinary knowledge of astronomy. Takshila University was established in 700 BC where more than 10,000 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. Similarly, Nalandauniversity was in existence in 3rd century BC which had housed more than 90 lakh books. Maharishi Atreya was the first Guru of internal medicine, Shri Dhanvantri of Surgery and Kashyapa was the first Guru of Gynaecology and pediatrics. ShushrutaSamhita describes more than 40 types of surgical instruments and Ayurveda talks about holistic treatments.

 

Astronomical calculation making use of planetarium software have proved that events narrated in Valamiki Ramayana actually occurred around 7000 years back and they can be sequentially dated. Ramasetu is found submerged at the same location as is described in Valamiki Ramayana and the city of Dwarka has been explored by marine archeology wing of Govt of India.

 

As per the estimate made by the Inter-Governmental panel on Climate Change (NASA, Global Change Master Directory), the rise in the sea level during the last 7000 years has been about 2.8 meters which roughly corresponds to 9.3 feet. The remains of Rama Sethu are found submerged nearly at a depth of 9-10 feet. Thus, obviously this bridge was capable of being used as a land route 7000 years back. This is the only existing evidence on manmade bridge a few thousand years back. It is essential that our researchers launch a mission-oriented programme in an integrated way by earth science, geological science, remote sensing and space scientists, oceanography and climate change teams and the people who are engaged in construction under the sea.

Here I request the researchers to launch research on India's epics with at least 100 Ph.Ds with the highly talented historical, geological, astronomical and space scientists to ascertain the veracity of history and date of events in our epics. Science always has multiple sources of research information to verify the conclusion. It should be true to all our research on epics and their dating. 

Let me now discuss the work of Prof Tobias on human evolution.

Human Evolution

I was studying the work of Prof. Tobias on Paleo-anthropology and discovery of archaeological sites and I thought of recalling the advances made in the research on human evolution. Traditionally, there have been two distinct and different approaches in understanding human evolution. First is the archaeological evidence. The lessons that we have learnt in India from Mohan-jo-Daro and Harappa and many similar excavations the worlds over have been seminal and many a civilizations' way of living, its culture and its origins have become evident.

Prof. Tobias has made a significant impact in this area, particularly emanating from land, which is said to be the cradle of human evolution. The second and more recent approach is propelled by advances in our understanding of the human genome. While the major part of the human genome sequence is common between human beings and even with mice, the small portions that differ, control and contribute to the diversity that we find in the evolution of humans.

 

I am happy that through such genomic studies, it has been found that Harappan civilization was not of mysterious people of unknown biological origins, or migrants from centers of high culture in western Asia, but they were descendents of population identified with pre-Harappan cultures of the North Western sector of the sub continent. Gene flow between Mesopotamia and the Indus domains, perhaps along trade routes, accounts for the higher incidents of some phenotypic features along this east-west axis than what is apparent across north-south axis penetrating peninsular India. But migrant theory need not be invoked to explain various patterns. This makes research in genetic engineering, using human genome sequences to understand the evolution of humans, very fascinating for scientists. The scientific dating of our epics has also to co-relate genealogies mentioned therein with human genome sequences, and the evidences that we found in the form of fossils.

 

Prof. Tobias is one of the pioneers in the area of genetics. From his vast experience in genetics and Paleo-anthropology, Prof. Tobias has been able to present to the world, in an understandable capsule form, the whole process of human evolution over 600 million years. The simplicity of the outcome of his complex research has also stimulated many scientists the world over to look at the challenges posed in our understanding of human evolution. Today, the world talks about convergence of many technologies. Prof. Tobias and others have shown us that all our origins converge to a single point both in space and time. The evolution of human origins put forth by Prof Tobias should be related to events of Indian epics. After all, every Indian epic deals with human history, their conflicts and their civilization. Hence, it has to be related with the evolution of human origin.

 

Origins of Life

Ancient human history has been revealed beautifully by Paleoanthropology. Life originated 600 million years ago and continental drift occurred 200 million years ago creating five continents. Mammals evolved 140 million years ago, Hominids that is the human type, evolved 26 million years ago but modern man only arrived on the scene some 200,000 years ago. He migrated and colonized the world only in the last 50,000 years. The spoken language is some 10,000 years old while writing evolved only a few thousand years ago. All this phenomenal progress has been achieved only within the short span of 200 to 400 generations that is in just 10,000 to 5,000 years. The spoken language period as per Prof. Tobias is around 10000 years old and the birth of Rama based on the 9th thithi of Chaitra month dates to 10th January in 5114 BC, that is 7117 years back. We need to establish the relationship between the birth of spoken language and the evolution of Valmiki Ramayana.

 

New DNA technologies

Newer DNA technologies have given us better insight in retracing the history of man. The DNA of a human being is his history book ever written!. Nowadays, intelligence, cognizance, drug response, behavioral problems, everything, is related to genes: disease gene mapping is progressing at a faster pace with new age DNA technology. It is probably during the 30,000-50,000 years of co-existence that societies have evolved adopting newer innovations and cultures. 

Thus the 'Nature - Nurture' philosophy holds good even in this Genomic Era: ? Genes? What we inherit from our parents is the basis; a beautiful 'building' is built over it, be it Einstein or certain unique creations, the environment plays a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the individual and leading to excellence. It is just the opportunity that makes Man. All children when they are born are equally poised to become great scholars. The nervous system, and for that matter any of our systems, should co-operate with an individual in his or her progress.

 

Origin of civilization in Indian subcontinent

I am happy that through the use of modern technology the perception of Indian Archeology has changed and has facilitated by researchers to prove an indigenous origin of civilization in the Indian Sub continent. This is an important factor which should work as an integrator of the entire nation since all of us have come into this land from the same ancestors and roots. While discussing this issue, I am reminded of a conversation with one of my cardio thoracic surgeon friends. He said, "When I perform an open heart surgery, on different patients, after opening I find the blood of the patient is same in colour, hence I cannot discriminate amongst patients and provide differing attention and care." This thought-process has to get embedded scientifically and culturally amongst all Indians so that we can see that nation is bigger than any individual and all of us have to contribute to the accelerated progress and development of the nation. Now, let me talk about certain application of knowledge derived from Scientific Dating of Ancient Events.

 

Agriculture in Ancient India

The dating studies have found that the farmers in the Vedic period used natural manures for their agriculture. They have found 12 types of soil and determined the associated organic manure compatible to the soil types. They did not make use of pesticides or any poisonous elements in the agro sector. This has resulted in reduced atmospheric pollution and also provided quality food for the humankind. We have to learn a lot from this experience. Today, we have to ensure that we should use eco-friendly fertilizers, pesticides and plant systems in our overall agricultural development taking the cue from ancient civilization that will make a big contribution to green agriculture goal of 21st century. We need to integrate our past civilizational heritage in forms of agriculture or other forms of systems which provides earning capacity with reference to modern technologies. Induction of modern technology definitely adds values to our ancestor database of civilizational heritage.

 

For the mission for scientific dating of our epics, I have the following suggestions: 
1. Launching research on India's epics with at least 100 Ph.Ds with the highly talented historical, geological, astronomical experts and space scientists to ascertain the veracity of history and dates of events in our epics.

2. The scientific dating of our epics has also to be related to Genealogy with human genome sequences, with the evidences that we found in the form of fossils.

3. The evolution of human origin put forth by Prof Thobias should be related to events of Indian epics. After all, every Indian epic deals with human history, their conflicts and their civilization. Hence, it has to be related with the evolution of human origin over 600 million years ago, which is scientifically proven. 

4. The spoken language period as per Prof. Thobias is around 10000 years old and the birth of Rama based on the 9th thithi of Chaitra month dates to 10th January in 5114 BC, that is 7117 years back. We need to establish the relationship between the birth of spoken language and the evolution of Valmiki Ramayana.

 

Conclusion

I have discussed few areas which can benefit from the dating of our ancient events. I am sure the scientists and technologists assembled here will be presenting several areas in which the dating can be beneficial. To disseminate the findings of these studies to the large population will require intensive documentation and the application potential of each one of the findings. I would suggest that the teams assembled here can work out areas which need to become the part of the learning process of our youth. This will enable the seminar to make specific recommendations on vital areas of our ancient culture in the primary, middle and secondary school text books. In addition, the seminar should attempt networking of people and ideas belonging to different specialities like agro-scientists, doctors, engineers, archaeologists, geologists and environment experts so that the benefits of lessons arising from earlier civilization and their lifestyle make a change to our thinking and lead towards the development of an eco-friendly human habitat. The research on scientific dating may have partners, who can provide scientific, astronomical, anthropological and geological and genetic data to ascertain the veracity of the historical events.

 

With these words, I inaugurate the Seminar on Scientific Dating of Ancient Events before 2000 BC. My best wishes to all the participating for success in the mission of connecting the past to the present leading to a better future. 

May God bless you!

 

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

 

Dr. Kalam requests Scientists & Scholars to extract knowledge of Sciences from Vedas / 30th July 2011