JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the first Vedic Conference in Jammu on the theme "Vedon mein Vigyan - वेदों में विज्ञान", at Shri Ranbir Campus, Central Sanskrit University, Kot Bhalwal.

In a keynote address, the Lt Governor extended his felicitations to all the participants and commended the endeavour of the Vigyan Bharati, Central Sanskrit University and everyone associated with the conference.

Highlighting the significant scientific achievements of Vedic Period, the Lt Governor said, our Vedas are the first and a complete scientific knowledge system of mankind, which has been inspiring learning traditions since ages.

"India has been a powerhouse of science and spirituality for thousands of years. When the Vedas were composed, India was the centre of world's economy, education, culture and philosophy. It was the engine of world civilization and our country laid the foundation of socio-economic progress through science, mathematics, astronomy and medicine," he said.

Reiterating the government's resolve to promote ancient Indian ideals and values, the Lt Governor observed that the Hon'ble Prime Minister has rekindled the sense of self-respect and 140 crore countrymen have realised the self-confidence about their own heritage.

"Under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister, India is not only emerging as the new economic power of the world but is also gaining the respect and glory, achieved by our ancestors thousands of years ago in the Vedic period," the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor underscored the need to utilise the treasure of knowledge in Science, Mathematics, Medicine, Botany, Arts and Humanities to enrich the existing knowledge system and transform India into a knowledge economy.

"Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call to shed the vestiges of colonial past to regain the global stature. Our ancient past was glorious and we are poised for a brighter future. We should not live in the past but use the ancient values and ideals to face the future challenges," he said.

He also emphasised the important role of educational institutions and social organizations to reconnect the youth with the cultural roots. I am confident that this conference will also provide guidance towards better teaching-learning tools for the Indian knowledge system, the Lt Governor further added.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor unveiled the Sri Saraswati Idol in the university's premises and also released several publications.

Padma Shri Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri; Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu; Prof. Rani Sadasiva Murty, Vice Chancellor, Sri Venkateswara Vedic University; Dr. Shiv Kumar Sharma, National Organizing Secretary, Vigyan Bharati; Prof. Shreedhar Mishra, Director, Central Sanskrit University; Dr. Somdev Bharadwaj, North India Regional Head Vigyan Bharati; scholars, experts, faculty members and students from various Sanskrit Universities were present.