Andhra Vijnana Sammelan 2026 Successfully Held at SPA Vijayawada

The School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada (SPA Vijayawada) successfully hosted the Andhra Vijnana Sammelan on 28th and 29th September 2026 at Krishnaveni Sabhagaar, SPAV Auditorium, Vijayawada. The two-day academic and knowledge-sharing programme was jointly organised by the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

The Sammelan provided a multidisciplinary platform for scholars, academicians, researchers, experts and participants to engage with diverse dimensions of Indian knowledge traditions and their relevance to contemporary scientific, environmental, technological, architectural and societal challenges. The central idea of the Sammelan was reflected in its theme, “Ideas from Our Past. Solutions for Tomorrow.”

Inauguration

The two-day Sammelan commenced on 28th September 2026 with the inaugural session, which included the arrival of dignitaries, invocation and ceremonial lighting of the lamp, welcome address, introduction to the Sammelan and addresses by the dignitaries, followed by the formal declaration of the Sammelan open.

Shri Kesineni Sivanath, Member of Parliament, Vijayawada, was the Chief Guest of the programme. The event also featured the presence of Dr. Ar. Amogh Kumar Gupta, BOG – Chairperson, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, and Prof. Dr. Ramesh Srikonda, Director, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada.

The programme brought together expertise from diverse fields, highlighting the importance of connecting India's traditional knowledge systems with contemporary research, innovation and sustainable development.

Day One: Exploring India's Knowledge Traditions and Contemporary Relevance

The first day featured a series of keynote, thematic and invited lectures covering biodiversity, language and linguistics, energy and resource conservation, architecture, traditional knowledge, water conservation, yoga and Ayurveda.

The session on Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation was addressed by Prof. K. V. S. G. Murali Krishna, JNTU Kakinada, who delivered a keynote/thematic lecture titled “Biodiversity – A Great Wealth.” The session focused on the significance of biodiversity and the need for its conservation.

The theme of Language and Linguistics was explored through a featured lecture by Dr. Inaganti Lavanya, M.Phil., Ph.D., on “Indian Knowledge Tradition: Telugu Literature.” The session highlighted the importance of language and literature as integral components of India's knowledge traditions.

The Sammelan also addressed Energy and Resource Conservation, with Dr. C. V. S. Brahmanandam Rao, IGCAR, Kalpakkam, delivering a featured lecture on “Nuclear Energy for a Sustainable India.”

A dedicated session on Architecture examined the relationship between traditional knowledge, sustainable construction and contemporary architectural practice. Prof. Dr. Ramesh Srikonda, Director, SPA Vijayawada, delivered a keynote address on “Traditional Architectural Knowledge in Sustainable Building Materials and Design.” The session focused on climate-responsive design and sustainable construction practices.

Further invited lectures explored the role of Indian traditional knowledge in contemporary sustainable development. Dr. Nagaraju K, Assistant Professor, SPA Vijayawada, spoke on “Ancient Indian Traditional Knowledge for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Building Construction.” Dr. Ram Sateesh Pasupuleti, Associate Professor, IIT Roorkee, presented the Marg Project, focusing on connecting historical routes through their local origins.

The theme of Energy and Resource Conservation continued with an invited lecture by Dr. Vijay Kumar Sarraju, Retd. Scientist G, Vijayawada, on a movement for water conservation through user experience and an understanding of land and water concepts.

The first day's programme concluded with a session on Yoga and Ayurveda, featuring Dr. K. Nishteswar, Consultant Physician, Prashanti Hospital, Vijayawada, who delivered an invited lecture on the history of Ayurveda, health preservation and useful medicinal herbs.

Day Two: Indian Knowledge Systems, Mathematics, AI and Research Presentations

The second day of the Sammelan, held on 29th September 2026, continued with a series of keynote and featured lectures addressing traditional knowledge, mathematics and astronomy, Indian Knowledge Systems, and emerging technologies.

The morning session on Yoga and Ayurveda explored an integrated Indian perspective on holistic health, with a keynote address by Shri Pammi Satyanarayana Sastry.

The theme of Mathematics and Astronomy was subsequently addressed by Dr. Prakya Satyanarayana Sarma, K. B. N. College, Vijayawada, through a keynote/featured lecture on “Geometrical Transformations in Sulba Sutras.” The session brought attention to mathematical concepts and knowledge embedded within India's traditional texts and intellectual heritage.

A key session on Indian Knowledge Systems featured Prof. Ganti S. Murthy, National Coordinator, IKS Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India, who delivered the keynote address. The session reinforced the significance of understanding, documenting and engaging with India's diverse knowledge traditions.

The Sammelan also addressed one of the most significant contemporary technological developments through a dedicated theme on Artificial Intelligence and Ethics. With a focus on Trustworthy and Responsible AI, Prof. Kalidas Yeturu, IIT Tirupati, delivered a keynote lecture titled “Artificial Intelligence: How It Works, Reliability, and Applications in Cybersecurity.” The session provided an opportunity to examine AI from the perspectives of technology, reliability, responsible use and cybersecurity.

Participant Paper Presentations

An important component of the second day's programme was the Participant Paper Presentation session. The presentations were conducted through parallel sessions, providing participants with an academic platform to present their research, ideas and perspectives.

The inclusion of participant presentations strengthened the research-oriented character of the Sammelan and encouraged interaction and knowledge exchange among scholars, researchers, academicians and other participants.

Concluding Session

The two-day Andhra Vijnana Sammelan concluded on 29th September 2026 with a formal concluding session. The closing programme included recognition of selected presentations and contributors, concluding remarks and a vote of thanks, followed by the formal closure of the Sammelan.

The successful conduct of the Andhra Vijnana Sammelan at SPA Vijayawada provided a valuable platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on India's knowledge traditions and their contemporary applications. The wide-ranging sessions demonstrated how knowledge emerging from India's intellectual, scientific, architectural, linguistic, environmental, mathematical and wellness traditions can contribute to present-day discussions on sustainability, responsible technology, education, research and societal development.

Through the participation of experts and scholars from academic and research institutions, the Sammelan encouraged meaningful engagement between traditional knowledge and contemporary scientific and technological perspectives. The event thus served as a significant forum for knowledge exchange and academic interaction, in keeping with its vision of drawing ideas from the past to develop solutions for tomorrow.

Event Details

Event: Andhra Vijnana Sammelan 2026
Dates: 28th & 29th September 2026
Venue: Krishnaveni Sabhagaar, SPAV Auditorium, Vijayawada
Organised by: School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, in association with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, Ministry of Education, Government of India