Vijnana Bharati

Vijnana Bharati, also known as VIBHA, is a national science movement focused on promoting swadeshi sciences and their integration with modern science. It was founded as the Swadeshi Science Movement in Bengaluru, later becoming a national entity at a meeting in Nagpur in 1991. The organisation operates in 22 states, working through autonomous institutions and project entities across 11 different areas.

VIBHA’s mission is to link traditional and modern sciences and promote scientific research and awareness aligned with India’s heritage. Key objectives include promoting Bharatiya heritage through a synthesis of physical and spiritual sciences, rejuvenating the Swadeshi Science Movement, and fostering scientific literacy across all Bharatiya languages.

Entities and initiatives by VIBHA include Shakti, which focuses on the empowerment of women using science and technology; NASYA, a national movement for Ayurveda students and young researchers; VibhaVani, a consortium aimed at promoting scientific interventions for social action; IIWM, which focuses on waste management; and the World Ayurveda Foundation, which promotes Ayurveda globally. Other initiatives include Tech4Seva, aimed at bridging the gap between technology and social services, and Mandala, an initiative that connects contemporary science and Indic thought.

VIBHA also organises a wide range of activities, such as Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM), a science talent search exam for students, and Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan (BVS), a biennial program that promotes interaction between scientists and the public. The organisation also holds the India International Science Festival (IISF), a yearly event that celebrates science.

Internationally, VIBHA operates through the Science India Forum (SIF), which promotes collaboration between India and the Middle East on science and technology projects. The Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats Forum (GIST) aims to link global Indian scientists with grassroots communities in India.

VIBHA has received multiple awards and recognition, including the National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science and Technology Communication and the Jawaharlal Nehru Prize for Science Popularisation. It has also been honoured internationally, receiving the Climate CoLab Popular Choice Award from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Publications include Science India, a magazine aimed at raising scientific awareness. VIBHA also promotes scientific communication through VIBHA Speaks, a platform focused on traditional and regional science knowledge.

Vijnana Bharati, also known as VIBHA, is a national movement that promotes science in alignment with India's cultural heritage. The origins of Vijnana Bharati can be traced back to the Swadeshi Science Movement, which was initiated at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru by a group of scientists under the guidance of Prof. K I Vasu. 

The movement began with the aim of promoting the spirit of self-reliance (swadeshi) in scientific research and innovation. Over time, this movement gained momentum and expanded beyond Bengaluru, leading to its transformation into a national organisation. In 1991, during a meeting held in Nagpur on 20-21 October, the decision was made to launch the Swadeshi Science Movement at an all-India level, and it was renamed Vijnana Bharati.

VIBHA's mission is to bridge traditional knowledge and modern science, promoting Bharatiya heritage through a harmonious integration of both. The organisation has grown significantly, with units in 22 states and contacts in 4 additional states, making it a nationwide movement. VIBHA operates in 11 different areas, such as Ayurveda, waste management, women empowerment, and technological innovation. These efforts are coordinated through autonomous institutions, independent organisations, and project-based entities.

Throughout its history, Vijnana Bharati has been involved in several key initiatives. In 2003, it launched Shakti, an initiative for women’s empowerment through science and technology. In 2008, NASYA was established to unite Ayurveda students and researchers, encouraging research, practice, and the spread of Ayurveda knowledge. 

In 2009, VIBHA founded the International Institute of Waste Management (IIWM) to work on solid and liquid waste management. Another major initiative was the establishment of the World Ayurveda Foundation in 2011, which aimed to promote Ayurveda at a global level. This foundation hosts the World Ayurveda Congress, a platform that brings together stakeholders from the Ayurvedic fraternity to collaborate and share knowledge.

In recent years, Vijnana Bharati has focused on spreading scientific awareness and education. Its Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) is a major science talent search exam, designed to create interest in science among students. VVM is conducted in partnership with Vigyan Prasar, a government institution under the Department of Science and Technology, and the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT). Other initiatives include Tech4Seva, a platform that connects technology providers with communities to address societal issues, and Mandala, which seeks to integrate contemporary science with Indic thought.

VIBHA's international activities are coordinated through the Science India Forum (SIF), which operates in countries like the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The forum aims to build scientific collaborations between India and these regions.

In terms of recognition, Vijnana Bharati has received several awards for its contributions to science popularisation. It was honoured with the National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science and Technology Communication by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2007. 

Additionally, it received the Jawaharlal Nehru Prize for Science Popularisation from the Indian Science Congress Association in 2005-2006. On the international stage, VIBHA was recognised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with the Climate CoLab Popular Choice Award for its campaign aimed at creating a network of young energy ambassadors in India.

Vijnana Bharati also contributes to scientific publications. It launched Science India, a magazine aimed at raising scientific awareness among the public. The organisation's platform, VIBHA Speaks, focuses on promoting traditional and regional science knowledge.

By 2024, Vijnana Bharati continues to play a vital role in promoting the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science, supporting various scientific initiatives and providing a platform for collaboration and education in India and globally. The organisation's efforts have expanded across multiple sectors, including education, technology, health, and environmental sustainability, making significant contributions to India’s scientific development.

The goals and purpose of Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) focus on promoting the integration of traditional Indian knowledge with modern scientific advancements to contribute to the nation’s growth and development. Established to promote self-reliance in science and technology, VIBHA seeks to build a bridge between ancient knowledge systems and contemporary scientific practices.

One of the core purposes of Vijnana Bharati is to advance the cause of Bharatiya heritage by synthesising physical and spiritual sciences. This involves rejuvenating the Swadeshi Science Movement to adapt modern sciences to address national needs, ensuring that scientific knowledge and innovation are both relevant to and aligned with India's cultural context. VIBHA also aims to spread awareness of India’s historical contributions to modern science, emphasising the country's rich scientific heritage.

VIBHA works towards promoting scientific literacy in all Indian languages to ensure science is accessible to people across the country. It encourages the development of common scientific terminology and scripts for use in all Bharatiya languages. The organisation also engages with educational authorities to include information about India’s scientific heritage in school curricula and textbooks, ensuring the younger generation is aware of the country’s historical and contemporary contributions to science.

Another key goal of VIBHA is to promote science education at all levels, with a special focus on engaging students, teachers, and communities in scientific endeavours. Initiatives like Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) are aimed at fostering an interest in science among students and encouraging scientific thinking from an early age. VIBHA also provides training and capacity building for teachers to ensure they can effectively communicate scientific concepts and develop critical thinking skills in their students.

Additionally, VIBHA seeks to foster innovation by supporting research and collaboration across different fields, including Ayurveda, waste management, and technology for social impact. Through projects like NASYA, Shakti, and Tech4Seva, the organisation promotes research, education, and practical applications of science to solve societal problems, especially for underprivileged communities.

Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) has made a significant impact on the promotion of science and technology in India, particularly by integrating traditional knowledge with modern science. One of its major contributions is fostering scientific awareness across different sections of society. Through its initiatives like Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM), VIBHA has encouraged scientific thinking among students and helped them develop an early interest in science. VVM has also provided hands-on training to students, preparing them for future scientific pursuits.

VIBHA's work in promoting Ayurveda through NASYA has united students and researchers, encouraging Ayurvedic studies, research, and practice. Its initiatives in waste management, led by the International Institute of Waste Management (IIWM), have supported sustainable practices in solid and liquid waste management.

The organisation has also played a key role in empowering women through its Shakti initiative, which uses science and technology to address challenges faced by women in India.

Internationally, VIBHA's Science India Forum (SIF) has built strong connections between India and the Middle East in the fields of science and technology, further expanding its influence.