Questions :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

• the key motivations behind establishing Archaeological Chair at IITGN specifically focusing on Harappan/Indus/Sindhu-Saraswati civilization, and in what manner Government aims to enhance the understanding of this ancient civilization through this initiative;

• an overview of the research areas of focus that scholars will delve into under the Archaeological Chair at IITGN in relation to Harappan / Indus / Sindhu-Saraswati civilization; and

• whether Government has collaborated with renowned national and international archaeologists, historians, and experts in the field to guide and mentor scholars associated with the Archaeological Chair initiative at IITGN regarding the establishment of the Archaeological Chair at IITGN?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

• &(b) The key motivations behind establishing Archaeological Chair at Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IITGN) is to promote excellence and leadership in teaching, research and development in the streams of archaeology, material science, chemistry, civil engineering, geology, image processing, etc.

(c)  Yes, Sir. The Archaeological Sciences Centre (ASC) at IITGN was established in December, 2012 and having extensive interaction, consultation and collaboration with a large number of national and international archaeologists of repute.