Venue: DST-Centre for Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, INDIA-221005
About BHU: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is a central university established by Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916. It is one of the largest residential universities in Asia, with over 30,000 students, from about 65 countries. The area of its main campus is 1300 acres, having well-maintained roads, extensive greenery, a temple, an airstrip and buildings which are an architectural delight. It is one of the early modern universities in India presently comprising of 6 Institutes, 14 Faculties 144 Departments, 4 Interdisciplinary Centers, a constituent college for women's and 3 Constituents Schools, spanning a vast range of subjects pertaining to all branches of humanities, social science, technology, medicine, science, fine arts and performing arts. One of its main objectives is to promote learning of science and technology, blending knowledge from around the world, ancient and modern, and to establish it as a symbol of the scientific consciousness and cultural renaissance. Banaras Hindu University had the privilege of having had eminent alumni in Mathematics like Prof Jayant Vishnu Narlikar and Professor Vijay Kumar Patodi.
About City Varanasi: Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is considered the epitome of ancient Indian culture and is the subject of many legends. The city has been the symbol of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism for thousands of years and honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. Aptly called as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi has provided the right platform for all cultural activities to flourish. Many exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives. Varanasi has produced great saints and personalities like Gautam Buddha, Mahabir, Kabir and Shankaracharya. The holy Ganges and the spectacular Ganga Aarti, the ancient ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan, Sarnath, Bharat Kala Bhavan and many other places have always enthralled the visitors. Varanasi is known for its rich tapestry of music, arts and craft, silk sarees, silk brocades, carpets, sweets, and Banarasi Pan (a mouth freshener with a combination of condiments wrapped in an edible leaf).
Varanasi is well connected by rail and air with most metro cities of India. The main railway station is about 10 km and the airport about 30 km from Banaras Hindu University. The university campus is relatively free from the menace of pollution. Its weather varies from 10oC to 20oC in winter (December-January).