Srinagar: Union Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi Wednesday inaugurated a three-day international conference at the University of Kashmir here.
A statement issued by the public relations officer of the university said the conference ‘Reconstructing the Human Histories of South Asia using Archaeology and Genetics’ brings together academics and experts from diverse disciplines to foster “fresh perspectives” on the theme.
The conference, supported by the Union Ministry of Culture under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, has been jointly organised by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow and Kashmir University’s Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS).
Addressing the attendees, Lekhi said the conference is a great opportunity to “build a comprehensive and complete narrative” of the evolution of human histories in South Asia, especially Indian history.
“When people from different disciplines like archaeology, economics, genetics, culture, DNA, etc. work together, we are able to build a complete narrative because the gaps get filled by people from other disciplines through evidence which needs to be collaboratively brought together,” she said.
Referring to India’s rich ancient history, including the ‘Sarasvati Harappan Civilisation’, the Union MoS pointed out how Kashmir has been a seat of great learning and exploration of ideas and spiritual knowledge since times immemorial.
“The world knows about Greek theatre but how many people know about Abhinavagupta from Kashmir, who wrote about dance, drama, music… The original books are lying somewhere else, while the digitised copies are not being made available,” she said.
Citing Abhinavagupta’s contribution to fine arts, Lekhi said the purpose of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is to “decolonise minds, decolonise history and to write history with a fresh Indian perspective”.
The union minister also called for bringing scientists on board to discuss history, saying, “Science is unbiased and goes by facts and scientists are not averse to be challenged.” She also hailed the University of Kashmir for hosting the Y20 and C20 working group meetings under India’s G20 presidency.
