भारतीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान (का.हि.वि.) वाराणसी

Teaching Experience:             17 years

COURSES DEVELOPED AND CURRENTLY OFFERING

Under Graduate Level

Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies*History of Science and Technology in India

Science, Technology and Society: Power, Responsibility and Sustainability

Cultural Heritage of India

History of Early Indian Civilization

Universal Human Values (Developed with other colleagues)

Post Graduate Level

The Gift: Anthropological and Philosophical Perspectives

Anthropology of Gender

Research Methodology (developed with other colleagues)

Ph.D. (Ongoing)

1. Akash Kumar Srivastava

Registered in July 2021

Materiality of Past Foodways: An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Central India

2.  Shivani Ghosh

Registered in July 2023

Gift of the Body: A Study on Organ Donation in Varanasi

3. Shubham Pathak

Registered in December 2023

Everyday Negotiations and Agency: Prostitutes, Venereal Disease and Lock Hospitals under Colonial Rule 

4. Divya Diksha 

Registered in December 2023

Digital Divide in Classroom Pedagogy: A Study of AI Interventions in Secondary Schools of Varanasi

5. Rev. Rathansara Thero

Registered in July 2024

Inscribed Voices: Bhikkhunī Agency in South Asian Epigraphy

6. Anamika Kashyap

Registered in July 2024

Women Social Entrepreneurship: A Study of WEP- A NITI Aayog Initiative

Ph.D. (Awarded)

1. Alok Mishra 

Year of Award: 2026 

Topic- Mapping the Discourse of Adivasiyat: Identity, Indigeneity and Adivasi Politics in Jharkhand

2. Akanksha Yadav

Year of Award: 2025

Topic- Chaṭha Pūjā as Lived Religion: Beliefs, Practices, and Festivities

3. Vijay Kumar Mishra

Year of Award: 2022 

Topic- Politics of Development: Problem of Tribal Inclusion in India

4. Jaya Yadav 

Year of Award: 2022 

Topic- Third Gender in Ancient India: A Historical Inquiry

5. Rajani Singh 

Year of Award: 2017 

Topic- Higher Education in India and Inclusion of the Disabled: A Study of Blind Students in BHU

6. Jaidev Pandey 

Year of Award: 2017 

Topic- Bharat mein Naxalwadi Aandolan: Samajik Bahishkaran ke Paripekshya Mein

M.Phil. (Awarded)

1. Ravindra Kumar Yadav:

Year of Award: 2017

Topic- Musahar Samaj Aur Samajik Bahishkaran: Ek Adhyayan

2. Prateek Kumar Singh 

Year of Award: 2016 

Topic- Social Movements in India: Identity Based Mobilizations of the Marginalized

3. Kumar Anand 

Year of Award: 2015 

Topic- Higher Education in India and the Challenge of the Inclusion of the Excluded

4. Saumya Anand 

Year of Award: 2015 

Topic- Stories from the Margin: Notion of Transgender in Indian writing in English

5.  Vandana 

Year of Award: 2015 

Topic- Swaraj Evam Samaveshi Samaj ka Nirman

6.  Sachin 

Year of Award: 2015 

Topic- Bharatiya Loktantra aur Muslim Alpasankhyak

7.  Priyanka Kumari 

Year of Award: 2015 

Topic- Women in Indian Politics

8. Aruna Ojha 

Year of Award: 2014

Topic- Mahadevi Verma ke Smriti-Gadya ‘Ateet ke Chalachitra’ mein Stree Vimarsh

9.  Vijay Kumar Mishra 

Year of Award: 2012 

Topic-Development and Exclusion: Search for Inclusionary Alternative

10.  Jaya Yadav 

Year of Award: 2012 

Topic-Goddess and Woman: A Survey of Goddess Temples in Kedara Khanda of Varanasi

11.  Rajani Singh 

Year of Award: 2012 

Topic- Women, Work and Family in India

12.  Abhay Krishna 

Year of Award: 2012 

Topic- Blind Children and Social Exclusion

13.  Arti Tiwari 

Year of Award: 2012 

Topic- Elementary Education and Exclusion in India

14.  Nidhi Srivastava 

Year of Award: 2012 

Topic- Portrayal of Women in Hindi Cinema: Tracing Change

15.  Chandra Prakash Patel

Year of Award: 2012 

Topic- Globalization and Exclusion of the Indian Farmer

Master’s Thesis Supervision

1. Ankit Malik

(PGDA dissertation, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India)

Year of Award: 2024 

Topic- Real Custodian of Cultural Heritage: Understanding the Question of Complex Public Engagement at the Harappan Site of Rakhigarhi, District Hissar. 

Books

Chandra, V. (2010). Gender Relations in Early India. Rawat Publications, Jaipur. 

Chandra, V. (2006). Women in Manusmriti, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi.

Articles/ Research Papers 

Srivastava, A. K., Yadav, A. & Chandra, V. Nature-Human’s Celebratory Ties: Indigenous Foodways and Festive Traditions of Central India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. (Accepted) (Scopus Q1 and SCIE).  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-026-00904-6 

Srivastava, A. K. & Chandra, V. Embedded Memory of Past Foodways: Ethnoarchaeological Insights from Indigenous Subsistence and Culinary Practices in the Cultural Landscape of Central India. Landscape History. (Accepted) (Taylor and Francis, Scopus Q2) 

Srivastava, A. K. & Chandra. V. (2026). Culinary Choices, Craft Technologies, and Plant Foods: Ethno-archaeological Perspectives from Central India. Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology. (Frontiers, Scopus Q2). https://doi.org/10.3389/fearc.2026.1778373

Rathanasara, K., & Chandra, V. (2026). Emergence of the Buddhist Image Cult: Recovering the Role of Bhikkhunīs. Archaeologies, 1-21. (Scopus Q1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-026-09551-5 

Mishra, A., & Chandra, V. (2026). Political narratives and reconfiguration of Adivasi identity in Jharkhand. Discourse & Society, 37(1), 133-152. (Scopus Q1) https://doi.org/10.1177/09579265251341469 

Mishra, A., & Chandra, V. (2025). Religion as everyday resistance: Birsaite Dharam in contemporary Jharkhand. Asian Ethnicity, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/14631369.2025.2589154 (Scopus Q1) 

Srivastava, A. K., & Chandra, V. (2025). Indigenous People and the Material Past: Signifying the Role of Adivasi Culture in Archaeological Studies in India. International Journal of Anthropology, 40(3-4), 299-312. (Scopus Q4) https://doi.org/10.14673/IJA2025341146 

Yadav, A., & Chandra, V. (2025). Embodying the Goddess: The ‘Parvaitin’ in Chaṭha Pūjā. Religions of South Asia. (Scopus Q3, Impact Factor: 0.2). https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.29022 

Yadav, A. & Chandra, V. The Festival Management of Chaṭha Pūjā: Preserving Tradition and Community Ethos. Purushartha (Accepted). (Scopus Q3, Impact Factor: 0.2)

Jose, A., Chandra, V., & Singh, U. P. (2025). Crafting Myths in Modern Times: Essentialising Duty, Obligation and Exchange in Religious Tourism. International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage, 13(1), 94-108. https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol13/iss1/9 (Scopus Q1, and DOAJ; Impact Factor: 1.08)

Srivastava, A. K., & Chandra, V. (2025). Encountering the Obsolete Art: An Archaeological Gaze at the Contemporary Textile Tradition in India. History and Sociology of South Asia, 19(2), 190-204. https://doi.org/10.1177/22308075241306877 (Scopus Q3 and Web of Science, Impact Factor: 0.1)

Jose, A., Singh, S. & Chandra, V. (2025). Can death be casual: the paradox in Death Café blogs. Mortality, 30(1), 34-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/13576275.2023.2279122 (Taylor & Francis, Scopus Q1, Impact Factor: 0.8)

Yadav, A., Srivastava, A. K., & Chandra, V. (2025). Ritual meals of Chaṭha: Exploring gastronomical activities in a religious and festive setting. The Oriental Anthropologist, 25(1), 182-203. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972558X241288155 (Scopus Q2, Impact Factor: 0.402)

Srivastava, A.K. & Chandra, V. (2024). Addressing Gender in Archaeological Research: Some Reflections. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 11, 487-498. https://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com/JournalPDF/Volume11.1/25.pdf (UGC Care listed)

Chandra, V. (2024). Women’s Religious Agency as ‘Strategizing’: A Case Study of Pāṇinī Kanyā Mahāvidyālaya. Zeitschrift für Indologie und Sudasienstudien, 41, 35-63.

Yadav, A. & Chandra, V. (2024). Chaṭhī Māī in Popular Imagination: Exploring Narratives, Worship, and Rituals in North India. Rupkatha Journal, 16(2). https://rupkatha.com/V16/n2/v16n202g.pdf (ESCI, Web of Science)

Yadav, A., Pathak, S. & Chandra, V. (2024, March). Re-thinking Gender Portrayal through Language: An In-depth Analysis of Advertisements Featuring Chatha Puja. Scope, 14(1): 194-203. https://scope-journal.com/assets/uploads/doc/9d8e0-194-203.202317923.pdf (Scopus Q4)

Mishra, A. & Chandra, V. (2024). Mapping the Politics of Adivasiyat in Jharkhand. Economic &      Political Weekly, 59(13), 57-64. https://www.epw.in/journal/2024/13/special-articles/mapping-politics-adivasiyat-jharkhand.html (Scopus Q3, Impact Factor: 0.9)

Srivastava, A.K. & Chandra, V. (2024).  Enviro-Ethno-Archaeology in Northeast India: Prospects and Possibilities with Bodo-Kachari Tribe. Scope, 14(1). https://scope-journal.com/assets/uploads/doc/50900-1353-1363.202410074.pdf (Scopus Q4)

Yadav, A. & Chandra, V. (2023). Conditional Vows: Exchange and Reciprocity between the Deity and Laity in Chaṭha. Zeitschrift für Indologie und Sudasienstudien, 40, 79-97.

Srivastava, A. K. & Chandra, V. (2023, July-December). Swatantryottar Bharat mein Rashtriya Asmita ka Murta Vikas: Puratattva, Kalakriti evam Dharohar. Mekal Mimansa, 15(2), 93-100.

Yadav, A. & Chandra, V. (2023, July-December). Property and Inheritance Rights of Hijras/ Kinnars in India. Raj-Yashti Journal of Social Sciences, XVI (2), 83-101.

Chandra, V. and Yadav, J. (2023, January-June). Trans/ Third Gender in Manusmṛti and Nārada Smṛti: A Comparative Analysis. Manaviki, XV(1). 

Chandra, V. (2016). Identity Beyond Violence: Towards The Recognition of Self. Indian Journal of Social Science Researches, 13(1&2), 73-77.

Chandra, V. (2013, July-December). Blindness and Social Exclusion: Locating the Discourse within the Solidarity Paradigm. Journal of History and Social Sciences, IV(II). 

Chandra, V. (2013, January-June). Intersecting Spaces: Politics of Globalisation and Indian Womanhood. Journal of History and Social Sciences, IV(I). 

Chandra, V. (2010, July-December). Gender Relations in the Dharmaśāstra: Defining Womanhood and Manhood within the Domestic Realm. Journal of History and Social Sciences, 1(1). 

Chandra, V. (2010, May). Women and Work-Family Interface: Indian Context. Journal of Asia Pacific Studies, 1(2), 235-258. 

Chandra, V. (2008). Institutional Development, Household Division of Labour and Improvement of women’s wellbeing in Rajasthan Villages. Journal of Social Sciences, 10(1), 155-165.

Book Reviews

Pathak, S., & Chandra, V. (2026). [Review of the book Empire and Leprosy in Colonial Bengal by Apalak Das]. The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, 54(3), 1005–1008. (Taylor & Francis, Scopus Q1, SSCI, AHCI, Web of Science) https://doi.org/10.1080/03086534.2026.2638905 

Pathak, S., & Chandra, V. (2025). [Review of the book Women, Gender, and History in India, by Nita Kumar]. Women's History Review, 34(3), 526- 529. https://doi.org/10.1080/09612025.2025.2479269 (Taylor & Francis, Scopus Q1, AHCI, Web of Science)

Pathak, S., & Chandra, V. (2024). [Review of the book Special treatment: Student doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (South Asia in motion), by Anna Ruddock]. Contemporary South Asia, 32(4), 613–615. https://doi.org/10.1080/09584935.2024.2422178 (Taylor & Francis, Scopus Q1, SSCI, AHCI, Web of Science; Impact Factor: 1.3)

Mishra, A. & Chandra, V. (2024). [Review of the book The Political Life of Memory: Brisa Munda in Contemporary India, by  Rahul Ranjan]. Memory Studies, 17(3), 534-637. https://doi.org/10.1177/17506980241240043 (SAGE, Scopus Q1, AHCI, SSCI, Web of Science, Impact Factor: 1.6)

Srivastava, A. K. & Chandra, V. (2023). [Review of the book Cooking with plants in Ancient Europe and beyond. Interdisciplinary approaches to the archaeology of plant foods, by Soultana Maria Valamoti, Anastasia Dimoula and Maria Nitnou]. Norwegian Archaeological Review, 56(2), 229-231. https://doi.org/10.1080/00293652.2023.2268085 (Taylor & Francis, Scopus Q1, AHCI, Web of Science, Impact Factor: 0.6)

Srivastava, A. K. & Chandra, V. (2023). [Review of the book The Story of Food in the Human Past: How What We Ate Made Us Who We Are, by Robyn E. Cutright]. Food and Foodways, 31(4), 339-341. https://doi.org/10.1080/07409710.2023.2191886 (Taylor & Francis, Scopus Q1, ESCI Web of Science; Impact Factor: 1)

Chandra, V. & Yadav, A. (2022). [Review of the book Hijras, Lovers, Brothers: Surviving Sex and Poverty in Rural India, by Vaibhav Saria]. Ethnos, 89(1), 192-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/00141844.2022.2129710 (Taylor & Francis, Scopus Q1, SSCI, Web of Science; Impact Factor: 1.3)

Chandra, V. (2008). [Review of the book The Great Indian Family: New Roles Old Responsibilities, by Gitanjali Prasad]. Journal of Social Sciences, 10(2), 356-359.

Book Chapters

Chandra, V. (2009). ‘Women in Manusmriti’, in Padia, Chandrakala (ed.), Women in Dharmaśāstras: A Phenomenological and Critical Analysis, Rawat Publications, Jaipur, 131-141.

Audio-Visual Course Content

Module entitled “Concept of Positive Discrimination”, of Paper Women, Governance and Politics, Women’s Studies, e-PG Pathshala, 2017.

Module entitled “Quota Politics and Gender”, of Paper Women, Governance and Politics, Women’s Studies, e-PG Pathshala, 2017.

Module entitled “Women’s Reservation Bill: Major Provisions”, of Paper Women, Governance and Politics, Women’s Studies, e-PG Pathshala, 2017.

Module entitled “Debate on Quota Within Quota”, of Paper entitled Women, Governance and Politics of the Women’s Studies Course, e-PG Pathshala, 2017.

Module entitled “Reservation for Women and Women’s Empowerment”, of Paper entitled Women, Governance and Politics of the Women’s Studies Course, e-PG Pathshala, 2017.

Editor/ Reviewer

Guest Editor, Special Issue on Hinduism: Belief and Practices Within the Family, Religions, MDPI (Indexed in Scopus Q1, AHCI-Web of Science, and other databases)

Reviewer, Routledge India, Taylor & Francis Group.

Reviewer, Cogent Arts and Humanities, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Reviewer, Asian Ethnicity, Taylor & Francis (Indexed in Scopus (Q1) and other databases)

Reviewer, National Identities, Taylor & Francis (Indexed in Scopus (Q1) and other databases)

Reviewer, Culture and Religion, Taylor & Francis (Indexed in Scopus (Q2) and other databases)

Reviewer for Routledge’s Hardback Monograph Program, Routledge, Oxfordshire, UK, June-July 2024.

Reviewer, International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals & Gender Perspective (ICSDGAGP), organised by Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, Gujarat, 25-26 October 2021.

Reviewer, PG Course on Industrial Sociology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, July 2020.

Project Director of two-year Research Project titled, ‘Indigenous Education and Women: Women’s Pathshalas in Varanasi from 18^th Century to the Present’, funded by the Indian Council for Historical Research under the Research Project Grant. (Sanctioned in July 2024)

Principal Investigator of Project titled, ‘Preserving India’s Rich Cultural Heritage: A Study of Role of the National Mission for Manuscripts’, Research Project sponsored by Narayandas Saraf Jewellers Pvt. Ltd., Varanasi.

Core Member, Project Coordination Committee of the four years Project- ‘Exploring Cultures of Learning in India and Germany’ sponsored by DAAD under the Program- ‘A New Passage to India: German- Indian Higher Education Co-operations (2019-2023)’, to the Chair of Indology, Heidelberg University.

Core Member, Project Coordination Committee of the four years Project- ‘Cultures of Learning in Academic and Non-Academic Institutions in India and Germany’ sponsored by DAAD under the Program- ‘A New Passage to India: German- Indian Higher Education Co-operations (2019-2023)’, to the Chair of Indology, Würzburg University.

Research Officer in Project titled ‘Institutional Reforms for Alternative Ecologically Sensitive People Friendly Development Interventions’, funded by Ford foundation at the Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur, February- November 2004.

Talks and Lectures (Out of India)

Invited to deliver talk on ‘Embodying the Name through Inscription: A Case Study of the Ramnani Samaj of Chhattisgarh’ at the Department of South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies, University of Vienna, on 29 June 2026.

‘A Survey of local institutions teaching Sanskrit in Varanasi: A Preliminary Report’, in the Workshop on Indo-German Encounters and Cultures of Learning between the 19^th and 21^st Centuries, Würzburg University, November 12-16, 2019.

‘Tritiya Prakriti: Ancient Indian Perspective on Sex and Gender’, at the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany, 19 June 2019.

‘Tradition and Modernity: Globalization and the Making of Indian Womanhood, at the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, Western Michigan University, 26 October, 2011.

‘Creative Leisure: An Eastern Approach to the Ethos of Work’ at the School of Religion, Claremont Graduate University, USA, 18 October, 2011.

‘Women and Work-Family Interface’, at the Claremont Graduate University, USA, 28 October, 2009. 

Guest Speaker at the Asia-Pacific Women’s Conference on Peace and Security: Vision for the Future, Philippines Normal University, Manila, 8-10 Sept, 2009.

Guest Speaker at the Conference on Self, Knowledge and Reality in Indian Tradition, at University of California, Berkeley, US, 31 October, 2009.

Invited Talks and Lectures in India

Guest Lecture on the theme ‘Pedagogy, Integration and Way forward’, in the seven-day Online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) titled- Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science: Interdisciplinary Research Methodologies in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), organized by IKS Cell and Amity Law School, Amity University Jharkhand, Ranchi, 27 April- 2 May 2026 (1 May 2026).

Keynote Speaker to the two days International Conference on Culture, Climate and History: Lessons from Vishal Bharat- Exploring the Cultural-Ecological Heritage from Iran to South (East) Asia, organized by Forum for Awareness of National Security (FANS), at University of Delhi, New Delhi, 27-28 March 2026 (27 March 2026). 

Plenary Talk on ‘The Sacred Landscape and Heritage in Practice: Traditions of Art, Craft and Folk Practices of the Cultural Corridor of Varanasi’, at the ICSSR sponsored Seminar on The Sacred Landscape and Heritage in Practice: Traditions of Art, Craft and Folk Practices of the Cultural Corridor of Varanasi, organized by Department of English, DAV PG College, Varanasi, 24-25 March 2026 (24 March 2026).

‘Responsible AI Frameworks: Guidelines for Ethical AI Development and Deployment for Heritage Collections’, at the International Conference on Digital Horizons: Uses and Challenges of AI in Manuscripts and Historical Records Reading, organized by Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute (RORI), Bikaner, 14-15 March, 2026 (15 March 2026).

Special Address at the launch of U.N.M.U.T.E. Programme in Varanasi, organized by Sky Social and funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives through the High commission of Canada in India, Nepal and Bhutan, at Dr. Vijai Ayurvedic Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kaithi; 11 December 2025.

‘Women’s Studies in Academia’, at the 18th Refresher Course in Women’s Studies, organised by UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, BHU, 16-28 January, 2023 (18 January, 2023). 

‘Creating an Inclusive Teaching-Learning Environment’, at the Faculty Induction Programme (FIP/ 121-122 Orientation Programme) organized by UGC- Human Resource Development Centre, DDU Gorakhpur University, 23 February, 2021.

‘Veda Pāṭhaśālās in Varanasi’, in the three weeks international course on Lived Sanskrit Cultures organized by Heidelberg and Würzburg Universities, Germany, in Varanasi, 26 February 2020.

‘Performing Rituals: Upanayana’, in the three weeks international course on Lived Sanskrit Cultures organized by Heidelberg and Würzburg Universities, Germany, in Varanasi, 28 February 2020.

‘Why is a Gandhian Perspective Relevant Today?’ in the Online Course on Practicing Karuna in times of Corona: A Gandhian Perspective, organized by Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, 7 June 2020.

‘Teaching in Flow’, in the Faculty Induction Program (FIP), organized by TLC, IIT (BHU), 22 February 2019.

‘Creating an Inclusive Classroom’, in the Faculty Induction Program (FIP), organized by TLC, IIT (BHU), 8 February 2019.

“Managing the Time-Bind”, at the National Workshop on Understanding ‘Self’ for Personality Development, Arya Mahila PG College, Varanasi, 17 February, 2018.

‘Gender, Nature and Culture’, at the 18^th Orientation Course in Women’s Studies, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, 10 January, 2018.

‘Higher Education in India: Some Reflections’, at the Shiksha Swaraj National Workshop, New Delhi, 25 February 2017.

‘Feminist Perspectives on Sex and Gender’, at the 17^th Orientation Course in Women’s Studies for Research Scholars and NGO, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, 19 January 2017.

‘Dalit Feminism’, at the Seven Days National Workshop on Research Methodology for Dalit Studies, CSSEIP, BHU, 17 January 2017. 

‘Reservation for Women in India: Contemporary Debate’, at the 16^th Orientation Course in Women’s Studies, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, 30 November 2015.

‘Rethinking Rape and Sexual Violence in India’, Arya Mahila PG College, Varanasi, 14 April, 2015.

‘Gender Sensitization in Tourism Management: Issues and Prospects’, Institute of Tourism Studies, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, 7 June 2014.

‘Social Exclusion in Contemporary India’, at the Alliance for Global Education, 25 October 2013.

‘Relevance of Gandhi in Contemporary Times’, NIRMAN, Varanasi on 3 October 2013.

‘Indian Womanhood: Identity and Role Models for Women’, at the Alliance for Global Education, 5 March 2013.

‘Social Exclusion as a concept and approach: Scope and Relevance’, and ‘Social Exclusion in Contemporary India: Issues and Concerns’, UGC-Academic Staff College, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, 10 September 2013.

‘Development and Social Exclusion in India’, at the Seven Days National Workshop on Research Methodology in Social Sciences: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, CSSEIP, BHU, 21 August, 2013.

‘Research as ‘Flow’’, at the Workshop on Research Methodology Course in Social Sciences for ST/SC Research Scholars, Department of Sociology, Banaras Hindu University, 31 May, 2013.

‘Eye Donation: Socio-cultural Impediments’, at the Eye Donation Awareness Program conducted by NSS in Nagwa Basti, Varanasi, 17 February, 2013.

‘Caste and Exclusion’, at the Alliance for Global Education, 13 February, 2013.

‘Patriarchy as Threat to Women’s Security’, at Academique, BHU, 20 January, 2013.

‘Rethinking ‘Empowerment’ in the Indian Context’, at the Alliance for Global Education, 5 December, 2012.

‘Politics of Globalization and the Making of Indian Womanhood’, at the Alliance for Global Education, 3 December, 2012.

‘Language of Gender and the Gender of Language’, at the 12^th Orientation Course in Women’s Studies, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, 13 December, 2011.

‘How to prepare for Interview’, 20 days Capsule Course under the Community Policing Program, organized by IG, Varanasi on 2 December, 2011.

‘Globalization and Challenges to Indian Womanhood’, NIRMAN, Varanasi, 23 November, 2011.

‘Research as ‘Flow’’, at the national workshop on Research Methodology in Social Sciences and Humanities: Exploring New Perspectives, CSSEIP, BHU, 30 October, 2011.

Session Chair/ Panel Convenor/ Panelist/ Discussant to Sessions/ Talks

Session Chair to the session on ‘Gendered Innovations and Limitations’, at the 2026 HSS/ ESHS Joint Meeting, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK, 14 July 2026.

Moderator to the Session on ‘Festivals, Placemaking, Myth, Sacredness, the City and Architecture’, at the 15^th Annual Symposium of the Forum on Architecture, Culture and Spirituality (ACSF-15): Myths and Placemaking, organized by the Architecture, Culture and spirituality Forum in partnership with the Department of Architecture, Planning and Design, IIT (BHU), Varanasi, 8-11 January 2026 (9 January 2026).

Panelist and Judge to Elocution competition at the Centre for Women’s Studies, BHU, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025.

Panel Convenor, ‘Trans/ Third Gender Communities and Religion in South Asia’, in the 27th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Turin, Italy, 26-29 July, 2023 (panel on 28 July, 2023).

Discussant to Special Talk on “Social Sector Policy for Cohesive Development” by Prof. K. Seeta Prabhu, organised by Centre for Human Dignity and Development, IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi; and Centre for Development, Communication and Studies, Jaipur as part of the series The State of Development Discourses, 7 January, 2022.

Session Chair, IMSCON 2021, Varanasi Menopause Society presents Club 35+ Public Awareness Committee Workshop, organised by Indian Menopause Society, 1-3 October, 2021.

Session Chair, International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals & Gender Perspective (ICSDGAGP), organized by Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, Gujarat, 25-26 October, 2021.

Panel Convener, ‘Dynamics of Female Agency in Religious Settings in India’, in the 26^th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Vienna, 26-29 July, 2021.

Respondent to the session “Biographies and Hagiographies”, in online workshop on Female Religious Leaders and Dynamics of Female Agency in Religious Settings in South Asia, August 3-14, 2020 hosted by South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University.

Session Chair, 141^st IASTEM International Conference, Vienna, Austria, 25-26 September, 2018.

Resource Person, 17^th AJEI Workshop on Gender: Politics, Labour, Law, Development, Varanasi, 9-12 March, 2015.

Co-Chair, Technical Session on Feminist Literature, Symposium on Feminist Methodology, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, 29-30 September, 2011.

Out of India

Paper on ‘Subaltern Petitions and the Making of a Medical Counter-Archive in Colonial India’, to be presented at the 2026 HSS/ ESHS Joint Meeting, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK, (13-16 July 2026). (With Shubham Pathak). 

Poster on ‘Aquatic Past, Living Present: An Ethnoarchaeological Study of the Indigenous Fishing Practices in the Maikal Hills, Central India’, to be presented at the 27th Conference of the European Association for South Asian Archaeology and Art, Ghent University, Belgium (6-10 July 2026) (With Akash Kumar Srivastava).

Paper on ‘Ritualizing Scarcity: Festival Food, Seasonality and Household Survival in North India’, to be presented at Oxford Food Symposium at St. Catherine College, Oxford University, UK (10-12 July 2026) (With Akash Kumar Srivastava).

Paper on ‘Intersection of Food, Celebration and Heritage: Synthesising the Tribal Festivals Revolving around Foodways in Central India,’ in the 28th European Conference for South Asian Studies, Heidelberg, Germany, 1-4 October 2025 (With Akash Kumar Srivastava and Akanksha Yadav)

Paper on ‘Food, Forms and Functions: An Ethnoarchaeological Inquiry to the Consilience of Craft Utilisation and Culinary Preferences in Central India,’ in the 10^th World Archaeological Congress, Darwin, Australia, 22-28 June 2025 (With Akash Kumar Srivastava)

Paper on ‘Emergence of the Buddhist Image Cult: Recovering the Role of Bhikkhunīs’ in 10^th World Archaeological Congress, Darwin, Australia, 22-28 June 2025 (With Rev. K. Rathanasara Thero).

Poster Presentation in the DAAD Conference on Innovation and Global Cooperation for Sustainability: Indo-German Conference, 12-14 March, 2024, Taj Vivanta, Dwarka, New Delhi (with Prof. Ute Huesken).

Panel on ‘Trans/ Third Gender Communities and Religion in South Asia’, in the 27th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Turin, Italy, 26-29 July, 2023 (panel on 28^th July, 2023). 

Paper on ‘Gender, Religion and Agency: Kinnars Claiming Death Rites’, in the 27th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Turin, Italy, 26-29 July, 2023 (presented on 28^th July, 2023).

Panel on, ‘Dynamics of Female Agency in Religious Settings in India’, in the 26^th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Vienna, 26-29 July, 2021.

Paper on ‘Claiming Religious and Ritual Landscape: A Case Study of Pāṇinī Kanyā Mahāvidyālaya’, in the 26^th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Vienna, 28 July, 2021.

Paper on ‘Religious Transformation and Gender: Death Rites for the Transgender’, in the online Conference on Religious Transformation and Gender: Contestations in/ and the Study of Religion, Gender and Sexuality, Utrecht University, 10-12 March 2021. 

 Paper on ‘Claiming Religious and Ritual Landscape: A Case Study of Pāṇinī Kanyā Mahāvidyālaya’, in online workshop on Female Religious Leaders and Dynamics of Female Agency in Religious Settings in South Asia, August 3-14, 2020 hosted by Cultural and Religious History of South Asia Department, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University.

Paper on ‘Work and Leisure: An Alternative Perspective’, in 141^st IASTEM International Conference, Vienna, Austria, 25-26 September, 2018.

Paper on ‘Higher Education in India: Issues and Challenges’, at the Fall Global Conference on Education, organized by School of Education, University of Riverside, USA, 13-15 November, 2015.

Paper on ‘Intersecting Spaces: Politics of Globalization, Indian Womanhood and Vision for the Future’, in the Asia-Pacific Women’s Conference on Peace and Security: Vision for the Future, Philippines Normal University, Manila, 8-10 September, 2009. 

Paper on ‘Identity beyond Violence’: Towards the Recognition of Self”, in Self, Knowledge and Reality in Indian Traditions, University of California, Berkeley, 31 October, 2009. 

In India

'Reading Bhikkhunī Authority: Buddhamitrā's Kuṣāṇa-Era Patronage Networks’, International Conference on Exploring Buddhism in South Asia: Expansion, Archaeology, Art & Architecture, and Cultural Impact, BHU, Varanasi, India, 10-12 March 2026. (with K. Rathanasara)

‘Custodians, Statutes, and Digitisation: Developing an Ethical Framework for Indian Manuscript Preservation as National Heritage’ at ‘Gyan Bharatam: International Conference on Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage’, organised by the Ministry of Culture, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, 11 to 13 September 2025. (With Akash Kumar Srivastava and Subham Pathak) 

‘Reassessing Buddhist Monastic Autonomy: Anandaprabha Vihara Inscription and its Economic Implications’, International Seminar & Joint Annual Conference of IAC, ISPQS and HCS, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, IIT Bhilai and ASI Raipur Circle, 7-9 March 2025 (with K. Rathansara).

‘Decolonizing Education in India: Insights from Dharampal’s ‘The Beautiful Tree’, National Seminar on Bharatiya Sabhyata Vimarsh: Dharampal ki Itihas Drishti, 24-25 October, 2018.

‘Decolonizing the Mind: Insights from Dharampal’s ‘The Beautiful Tree’’, International Conference on Retrieving the Voices from the Margins: Thinkers of Modern India, BHU, Varanasi and IIAS, Shimla, 11-13 August, 2017.

‘National Policy on Education 2016: A Critical Review’, National Seminar on National Policy on Education 2016: Issues, Challenges and Suggestions, MGS University, Bikaner, 17 October, 2016.

‘Women’s Reservation Bill: Tracing the Trajectory’, National Seminar on Democracy and the State of the Nation: India in 21^st century, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, BHU, 11-12 February, 2015.

‘Women and Development Discourse: A Review’, National Seminar on Development and Deprivation: Relative Status of Different Categories in the Post-Independence Period, Dept. of Sociology, MGKVP, 28-29 December, 2015.

‘Rethinking Rape: Who is responsible?’, National Seminar on Women and Violence, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, 8-9 March, 2013.

‘Gender Relations in Early India: Defining Womanhood and Manhood within the Domestic Realm’, National Seminar on Ancient India: New Perspectives, Department of History, BHU, Varanasi, 23 November, 2010. 

‘Creative Leisure’, International Conference on Language, Culture and Civilization: East and West, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi; Davis and Elkins College, West Virginia, USA and the Society for Indian Philosophy and Religion, 21-22 July, 2010. 

‘Repositioning Womanhood in Globalizing India: An Alternative Approach to Social Inclusion’, National Seminar on Repositioning ‘Subalternity’ in Globalized India: The Dynamics of Social Inclusion, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, BHU, Varanasi, 19-21 November, 2009. 

‘Civilizing Modernity: Gandhi in Hind Swaraj’, International Conference on Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj: Satyagraha, Peace Education and Good Governance, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Kota, 26 -28 June, 2009.

‘Who Am I? Towards an Alternative Universal Identity’, International Seminar on The Politics of Identity: Alternative Visions and Formations from India, Dept. of Political Science, BHU, Varanasi, 9-10 January, 2009.

‘Work-Family Interface: Mainstreaming Gender’, International Seminar on Mainstreaming of Women in Work and Political Processes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward, Women’s Studies and Development Centre, University of Delhi, Delhi, 5 -7 November, 2008.

‘Women and Work: Revisiting Gender Justice’, National Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Social Justice: Indian Context, Dept. of Political Science, BHU, Varanasi, 12-13 December, 2007.

‘Women, Work and Family: Rising above the Limitations’, International Seminar on Towards a New Global Village- Role of Women in Transformation, VJB Centre for Women Studies and Development, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, 9-10 March, 2007.

‘Women in Manusmrti’, National Seminar on Women in Dharmaśāstras: A Phenomenological and Critical Analysis, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, Varanasi, 8-9 March, 2006.

• Workshop on ‘The Nectar of Education: Strategic Planning and Benchmarking for IIT (BHU)’, 23-26 March, 2026.

• Six months programme, Women Leading IITs- 2^nd Edition  for the year 2024. 

• NIE-ICMR e-Certificate Course on NIcCer 102: Ethics Review of Health Research, offered by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), 2024.

• International Conference on Harmonisation- Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) Course conducted by Clinspire Research Private Limited, 17 May, 2022.

• NVivo Core Skills (Windows), NVivo Academy, QSR International, completed in December 2021.

• Qualitative Research Methods: Analyzing Data, MITx, an online learning initiative of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2021 (Grade: 100%)

• Short Term Online Course on Social Anthropology-2, Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, 12 May 2021-21 July 2021

• Course on Qualitative Research Methods: Conversational Interviewing, MITx, an online learning initiative of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2021 (Grade: 100%)

• 15^th Refresher Course on Women’s Studies, UGC Human Resource Development Centre, BHU, 18^th August – 7^th September, 2015.

• 72^nd Orientation Course, UGC Human Resource Development Centre, BHU, 3^rd to 30^th June, 2015.

• International Workshop on Contemporary Discourses in Social Theory, Faculty of Social Sciences, 16^th August to 10^th September, 2012.

Short-term Courses/ Conferences/ Seminars/ Symposia/ Workshops/ Talks Organized

Series Convenor, Indian History, Culture and Heritage Series at the Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU) Varanasi- The following programmes have been organized as part of the Series:

• Convenor, Special Lecture on ‘Heritage Conservation in India: Valuing Places, Processes and People’, by Dr. Shikha Jain, Founder-Director, DRONAH, in collaboration with the Department of Architecture, Planning and Development, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, 13 April 2026.
• Convenor, Special talk on ‘Between Stone and Story: Integrating Tangible and Intangible Heritage in the Study of Kanchipuram Temple Legends’ by Prof. Ute Huesken, 26 March 2026.
• Convenor, International Seminar on Intangible Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development in India, in collaboration with Sustainability Development Centre, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, 14-15 March 2026.
• Convenor, Lecture-Demonstration on ‘Shilpanatanam: Reimagining Transnational Indian Dance’ by Prof. Maya Kulkarni, 2 February 2026.
• Convenor, Orientation Workshop for Middle-Stage School Children on ‘Manuscript Heritage of India’, 20-21 January 2026.
• Convenor, Special Lecture on ‘Ancient Indian Theatre: Stereotypes and Clarifications’ by Padma Shri Prof. Bharat Gupt, 24 October 2025.

Co-Convenor, 1st Annual Conference of the Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU), Varanasi, 19-20 March 2026.

Member, Organizing Committee, International Women’s Day Event 2026, organized by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), IIT (BHU), Varanasi, 10 March 2026.

Member, Academic Committee, 28^th European Conference on South Asian Studies (ECSAS), Heidelberg, Germany, 1-4 October, 2025.

Member, Advisory Board, International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals & Gender Perspective (ICSDGAGP), organized by Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, Gujarat, 25-26 October, 2021.

Convener, Three Weeks International Course ‘Lived Sanskrit Cultures’, 17 February 2020 to 6 March 2020; organized in collaboration with Heidelberg University and Würzburg University.

Convener, Roundtable Dialogue on Partnership 2020: Leveraging US-India Cooperation in Higher Education to Harness Economic Opportunities and Innovation, DoRD, IIT(BHU), 23 July, 2019.

Member, Organizing Committee, International Conference on “Retrieving the Voices from the Margins: Thinkers of Modern India”, BHU, Varanasi and IIAS, Shimla, 11-13 August, 2017.

Organizing Secretary, National Seminar on “Bhashayi Abhivyakti mein Laingik Asamantaa”, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, BHU, 8-9 March, 2016.

Seminar Co-Convener, National Seminar on “Democracy and the State of the Nation: India in 21^st century”, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, BHU, 11-12 February, 2016.

Member, Organizing Committee, International Seminar on “Multiple Modernities and Social Inclusion”, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, BHU, 25-27 February, 2014.

Organizing Secretary, International Workshop on Addressing Multiple Exclusions, CSSEIP, BHU, 6-12 January, 2014.

Member, Organizing Committee, “Beti hi Bachaegi”, Amar Ujala Group, Varanasi, 2014.

Member, Academic Committee, International Seminar on Lohia’s Vision and Challenges of the 21^st Century, Faculty of Social Sciences, BHU, 10-12 October, 2011.

Convener, National Workshop on Research Methodology in Social Sciences and Humanities: Exploring New Perspectives, CSSEIP, BHU, 24-30 November, 2011.     

Administrative Experience: 11 years

Major Institute-Level Responsibilities 

Member, Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), IIT (BHU) (Ongoing)

Member (Social Scientist), Netrodaya Institutional Ethics Committee (Ongoing)

Member, Senate, IIT (BHU), Varanasi (Ongoing)

Member, Committee for the admission of students at llT (BHU) through the Sports and Fine Arts Excellence Programme through JEE (Advances) as supernumerary seats in the Institute (Ongoing)

Member, Executive Committee, Faculty Forum (2019-2021)

Member, Institute Core Courses Monitoring Committee (2019-2021)

Department Level Responsibilities

Convenor, Department Undergraduate Committee (DUGC) (Ongoing)

Convenor, Seminar and Conference Committee (Ongoing)

Member, Department Faculty Affairs Committee (DFAC) (Ongoing)

Member, Finance/ Budget Committee (Ongoing)

Convener, Department Faculty Committee (DFC) (August 2023 to August 2025)

Convener, Department Post Graduate Committee (DPGC) (August 2019 to August 2021)

Convener, Student Counsellor Committee (August 2018- August 2021)

Assistant Director, CSSEIP, FSS, BHU (26^th Feb 2011 to 15^th July 2018)

Member Secretary, Centre Research Committee, CSSEIP, FSS, BHU (2012-15^th July, 2018)

Member Secretary, Centre Purchase Committee, CSSEIP, FSS, BHU (2012-15^th July, 2018)

Coordinator of MoUs

IIT (BHU) and South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany

https://www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/en/departments-and-branches/cultural-and-religious-history-of-south-asia-classical-indology/team

IIT (BHU) and Institute of Cultural Studies of East and South Asia, Würzburg University, Germany

Faculty Convenor

Prof. Vinita Chandra, Department of Humanistic Studies (Convenor)

Student Members 

1. Akanksha Yadav

PhD Awarded (2025)

Chaṭha Pūjā as Lived Religion: Beliefs, Practices, and Festivities

Current Designation: Assistant Professor, Amity School of Business, Amity University, Jharkhand

2. Alok Mishra

PhD Awarded (2026)

Mapping the Discourse of Adivasiyat: Identity, Indigeneity and Adivasi Politics in Jharkhand

3. Akash Kumar Srivastava (Student Coordinator)

PhD Ongoing (Registered in July 2021)

Materiality of Past Foodways: An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Central India

4. Shubham Pathak

PhD Ongoing (Registered in December 2023)

Colonial India’s Regulated Brothels: Everyday Negotiations and Agency: Prostitutes, Venereal Disease and Lock Hospitals under Colonial Rule 

5. Rev. Rathansara Thero

PhD Ongoing (Registered in July 2024)

Inscribed Voices: Bhikkhunī Agency in South Asian Epigraphy

COLLABORATORS

Internal (From other Departments of the Institute)

1. Prof. R.K. Mishra, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
2. Prof. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
3. Prof. Amita Sinha, Professor (On contract), Dept. of Architecture, Planning and Design
4. Dr. Rabi Mohanty, Assistant Professor & Head, Dept. of Architecture, Planning and Design
5. Dr. Vishal Chettry, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Architecture, Planning and Design
6. Dr. Indra Deep Mastan, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering

External Collaborators

1. Prof. Ute Huesken, Director, South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, Germany
2. Prof. Jörg Gengnagel, Director, Institute of Cultural Studies of East and South Asia, Würzburg University, Germany
3. Dr. Borayin Larios, Assistant Professor, University of Vienna, Austria
4. Dr. Mugdha Yeolekar, Associate Professor, California State University, Fullerton, USA
5. Prof Neel Kamal Chapagain, Professor, Kathmandu University, Nepal
6. Prof. Vibha Tripathi, Professor, Dept. of AIHC, BHU (retd.)
7. Prof. P. B. Rana Singh, Professor, Dept. of Geography, BHU (retd.)
8. Prof. Binda D. Paranjape, Professor, Dept. of History, BHU
9. Prof. Dhrub Kumar Singh, Professor, Dept. of History, BHU
10. Dr. Vinay Kumar, Associate Professor, Dept. of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, BHU
11. Dr. Abhijeet Dixit, Director, Varanasi Regional Centre, IGNCA

Indian History, Culture and Heritage Series

Department of Humanistic Studies

Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi

Series Convenor: Prof. Vinita Chandra

Inaugural Date of the Series: 24 October 2025

List of Events Organised Under the Series 

(from 24 October 2025 to 31 March 2026)

1. Special Lecture on ‘Ancient Indian Theatre: Stereotypes and Clarifications’ by Padma Shri Prof. Bharat Gupt (24 October 2025)

A special lecture was organised on ‘Ancient Indian Theatre’ under the inaugural session of the lecture series “Indian History, Culture, and Heritage” at the Annie Besant Lecture Complex. On this occasion, Padma Shri Prof. Bharat Gupt, Trustee of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, Vice Chairman of the National School of Drama, and a distinguished scholar, graced the event as the chief speaker. Dr Abhijit Dixit, Director of the Varanasi Centre of IGNCA, was present as a distinguished guest. In my capacity as Convener of the programme, I informed the audience that under this lecture series, the Department will continue to organise lectures, workshops, seminars, and other academic events on a regular basis to promote sustained engagement with India’s civilisational knowledge traditions.

In his illuminating lecture, Prof. Gupt explored the affinities between Indian classical theatre and ancient Greek theatre, drawing attention to their shared aesthetic and philosophical foundations. He emphasised that the separation between art and science is a relatively modern construct, whereas in ancient India the two were regarded as complementary domains of knowledge. He observed that the purpose of theatre in the Indian tradition extended far beyond entertainment, serving as a medium for moral refinement and spiritual elevation. Highlighting the antiquity and continuity of performative traditions in India, he referred to forms such as katha (storytelling), kavya (poetry), and natya (drama and dance), noting their deep impact on shaping collective consciousness. Prof. Gupt further remarked that Indian classical texts encourage scientific temper and rational inquiry, nurturing reflective wisdom within society.

Prof. Prashant Kumar Panda, Head of the Department, appreciated the initiative and expressed his support for such intellectually enriching programmes. The successful organisation of the event was made possible through the collective efforts of the organising committee, which included me, Dr Tarachand, Dr Sanjaya Kumar Lenka, and research scholars Akash, Anish, Manohar, Animesh, Anamika, and Alok, all of whom contributed actively to the planning and coordination of the programme. The event was also graced by the presence of Dr Anil Thakur and Dr Kavya Krishna, whose participation added to the academic vibrancy of the occasion.

2. Orientation Workshop for Middle-Stage School Children on ‘Manuscript Heritage Of India’ (20-21 January 2026)

As part of this ongoing series and academic outreach initiatives, a two-day Orientation Workshop on “Manuscript Heritage of India” was organised on 10–11 January 2026 at the Dev & Vardhana Goswami Lecture Hall Complex. The workshop was conceived with the objective of creating awareness among school children about India’s rich manuscript heritage and equipping them with foundational knowledge and introductory skills in manuscript studies. It sought to introduce students of Classes VI to VIII to the world of manuscripts, their meaning, history, significance, and diverse forms, while fostering cultural awareness rooted in the Indian ethos, in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020. The programme further aimed to nurture appreciation and engagement with India’s manuscript tradition through interactive pedagogical methods, including exploratory activities, educational visits, and skill-development sessions.

For participation, public and private schools across Varanasi were invited to nominate 3–6 students from Classes VI to VIII. Invitations were sent via email and followed up through telephonic communication to 15 schools, of which 10 schools ultimately participated, nominating a total of 60 students. Most participating schools deputed teachers to accompany the students, and the total number of teachers present was seven. Registration was also opened to the wards of IIT (BHU) staff, both teaching and non-teaching, and 10 such students participated. Altogether, the total number of student participants across both categories was 70. There was no registration fee, and breakfast and lunch were provided to all participants on both days. The workshop was conducted in an engaging and interactive manner, ensuring meaningful exposure to and understanding of India’s manuscript heritage.

Day 1: 20th January 2026

The inaugural session on the first day was presided over by Prof. P. K. Panda, Head of the Department, who reflected on the growing human need for record-keeping across time and its vital role in the evolution of manuscript culture. Following the inaugural session, the students were taken on an educational visit to the Manuscript Conservation Centre of the Central Library, BHU.  The visit was made possible through the cooperation of the Librarian, Prof. D.K. Singh, and the Deputy Librarian, Dr. Rajesh Singh. Here, Dr. Rajesh Singh introduced the students to the library's manuscript collection. Then, Mr Sanjay Kumar Singh, Senior Conservator, and Mr Gireesh Kumar, Conservator, introduced the students to the need for conserving manuscripts and demonstrated basic conservation methods used to conserve them. Students also participated in some of the demonstrations during the one-hour session, which they found very engaging. The session concluded with a question-and-answer session. Then the students were taken to the manuscript section, where they were shown manuscripts made of various materials, including palm leaf and birch bark, and were introduced to the different types of manuscripts while briefly discussing the challenges of conserving manuscripts made of different materials. The students were also told about the role of digital archiving in manuscript conservation and possible careers in this field. The students were then brought back to the Workshop venue, where all participants had lunch.

The post-lunch session began with a lecture on the topic- ‘Introduction to Scripts and Manuscripts’ by Prof. Vijay Shankar Shukla, Director, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, in Hall 2D of the Lecture Complex. The concluding session in Hall 2D was on ‘Storytelling- Indian Manuscripts’. The resource person for the session was Dr. Nirmalya Guha, Associate Professor in the Department of Humanistic Studies at IIT (BHU), Varanasi. In his talk, Dr Guha introduced the students to the evolution of scripts from Brahmi in India and explained how some of the most important manuscripts were discovered, including the Bakhshali manuscript. He also demonstrated to the students how to read manuscripts. Students could participate, under his guidance, in reading the Bakshali Manuscript and the Jain KalpaSutra, which was a big achievement of the session.

Day 2: 21^st January 2026

The 2nd day of the workshop started with Session 4: Palm Leaf Seasoning and Writing: Traditional Methods, held from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Hall 2D. The session was conducted online and was led by Mr Rajesh Kumar R., Founder of Palm Leaf Innovations, Ernakulam, Kerala. During the session, the resource person provided a detailed explanation of the traditional process of creating palm-leaf manuscripts, including the selection of palm leaves, seasonal considerations for harvesting, methods of seasoning and curing, preparation of leaves for writing, and traditional writing techniques. The presentation offered valuable insights into the material culture and craftsmanship underlying palm-leaf manuscript traditions.

The session was conducted primarily in English, and Prof. Vinita Chandra provided explanations in Hindi wherever necessary to ensure better understanding among the participants. The students showed keen interest throughout the session and were actively engaged, asking numerous questions about the process, materials, durability, and the contemporary relevance of palm-leaf manuscripts. The interactive nature of the online session reflected the students’ curiosity and enthusiasm and helped deepen their understanding of traditional manuscript-making practices.

After that, a calligraphy session was conducted by Mayank Singh from IGNCA Delhi. The session primarily focused on Devanagiri Calligraphy, in which Mayank Singh demonstrated the basic strokes, letter formations, and stylistic variations of the script. He explained the historical evolution of Devanagari, the principles of proportion and balance in calligraphic writing, and the appropriate use of traditional tools and materials. Through live demonstrations, he illustrated how rhythm, spacing, and pressure contribute to the aesthetic quality of calligraphy. The session was highly engaging, encouraging participants to observe closely and understand the discipline, patience, and practice required to master the art of Devanagari calligraphy, while also highlighting its relevance in contemporary artistic and cultural expressions. Then lunch was served to all. 

This was followed by a session conducted by Dr Nirmalaya Guha from IIT (BHU), which focused on the illustrations of the Lalitavistara. During the session, Dr Guha explained the thematic, stylistic, and iconographic features of Lalitavistara illustrations and demonstrated the traditional techniques involved in their preparation. He discussed the selection of motifs, the use of line, composition, and colour, and the narrative sequencing that brings the episodes of the text to life visually. The session was highly engaging and interactive, allowing students to closely observe the illustrative process and understand the conceptual and technical aspects of this art form. The participants showed keen interest and actively participated in the session, creating their own illustrations under Dr Guha’s guidance. This hands-on component not only enhanced their creative engagement but also helped them appreciate the artistic discipline and cultural significance of Lalitavistara illustrations.

This was followed by an Interactive Session with the students from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM at Hall 2D, facilitated by Dr. Vibha Pandey, Program Coordinator, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, and Dr. Trilochan Pradhan, Project Coordinator, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), Varanasi. The session featured a team-based activity titled “Manuscript Treasure Hunt,” designed to reinforce learning through play and collaboration. Students were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, and F) and actively participated in solving clues based on manuscript knowledge. The activities involved identifying words from manuscript samples, decoding scripts, locating scrolls, and arranging mixed manuscript papers in the correct order. Points were awarded for each correctly solved clue, and prizes were given to the winning team. The session witnessed enthusiastic participation, with students visibly enjoying the activities, and it effectively consolidated the concepts introduced in earlier workshop sessions. 

Following this, a valedictory session was organised, during which a keynote address on Manuscript Preservation was delivered by Prof. Rajaram Shukla, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Vedic Darshan, Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan, Banaras Hindu University, and Former Vice-Chancellor of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University. In his address, Prof. Shukla highlighted the intellectual, cultural, and civilisational significance of manuscripts as invaluable repositories of traditional knowledge. He emphasised the urgent need for systematic preservation, documentation, and scholarly engagement with manuscripts amid environmental degradation and shifting academic priorities. Drawing on his extensive academic and administrative experience, Prof. Shukla stressed the responsibility of academic institutions and young scholars to safeguard this rich heritage for future generations. The address provided a thoughtful and inspiring conclusion to the programme, reinforcing the importance of manuscript preservation.

3. Lecture-Demonstration on ‘Shilpanatanam: Reimagining Transnational Indian Dance’ by Prof. Maya Kulkarni (2 February 2026)

A lecture-demonstration on Shilpanatanam was organised on 2 February 2026 at Dev and Vardhana Lecture Hall complex by Dr Maya Kulkarni, a distinguished scholar, artist, and cultural visionary who served as Professor of Political Science at William Paterson University,  New Jersey, United States, from 1978 to 2022. The event was attended by research scholars of the Department of Humanistic Studies, engineering students of the Institute, and several students and faculty members from Banaras Hindu University. In her lecture-demonstration, Dr Kulkarni introduced Shilpanatanam, a unique style of movement and choreographic vision conceived through her classical training in India and decades of artistic practice in the United States. She explained how the term integrates “Shilpam” (sculpture, painting, architecture) and “Natanam” (movement, expression, rhythm), thereby animating static visual forms through embodied storytelling. Drawing upon Indian sculpture, iconography, and the principles of the Natyashastra, while also engaging literature and philosophy across cultures, she demonstrated how this form departs from conventional classical grammar to create a narrative, image-based movement language. Dr Kulkarni elaborated the conceptual and philosophical foundations of Shilpanatanam with remarkable clarity, and through her artistic expressions, she left a deep and lasting impression on the audience. The programme concluded with a vibrant and thoughtful discussion session, during which participants engaged with questions on tradition, innovation, and the transnational dimensions of Indian dance, making the event both intellectually enriching and artistically inspiring.

4. Project Discussion with Dr Borayin Larios, University of Vienna (3 February 2026)

Under the ongoing lecture series, Dr Borayin Larios from the University of Vienna, Austria, visited the department on 3 February 2026 and delivered a presentation on his ongoing European Research Council (ERC) funded project titled ‘Mantram.’ The session was attended by members of the Indian History, Culture and Heritage Research Group, who actively participated in the meeting-cum-presentation. Dr Larios provided a comprehensive overview of the objectives, scope, and methodological framework of the Mantram project, highlighting its interdisciplinary orientation and its engagement with textual traditions, philology, and the broader intellectual history surrounding mantric practices. He elaborated on the conceptual foundations of the project, its archival and field-based components, and the ways in which it seeks to reassess the understanding of mantras beyond conventional ritualistic interpretations by situating them within social, historical, and transregional contexts. His presentation offered valuable insights into the challenges of working with diverse manuscript sources, multilingual textual corpora, and the interpretive complexities involved in reconstructing intellectual traditions. The research scholars engaged attentively with the themes discussed and raised thoughtful questions regarding sources, theoretical approaches, and the broader implications of the project for the study of Indic knowledge systems. The session concluded with a fruitful, intellectually stimulating discussion that fostered meaningful academic exchange and opened the door to future collaboration and scholarly engagement.

5. International Seminar on Intangible Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development in India (14-15 March 2026) 

As an annual seminar in the series, we are organising this international seminar on Intangible Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with the incipient Sustainability Development Centre, scheduled to be held from 14-15 March 2026. ICH constitutes the living, dynamic expressions of culture through which communities sustain identities, values, and social continuity. Rather than a static legacy, ICH represents a continuously transmitted body of indigenous knowledge shaped through everyday social and ecological engagements. In contemporary scholarly and policy discourse, ICH is increasingly recognised as a ‘living epistemic resource’, a shift reinforced by the integration of ‘culture’ into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Within this framework, heritage is acknowledged for its contributions to social equity, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability.

India possesses a rich and diverse corpus of living heritage embedded in community-based practices and ethical engagements with nature. By situating ICH within the framework of sustainable development, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the proposed seminar seeks to reassess prevailing development paradigms and foreground culturally rooted, people-centred alternatives.

The seminar will examine indigenous knowledge systems refined through long-standing interactions with local ecologies, highlighting their relevance to sustainability, resilience, and intergenerational responsibility. It will also foreground ICH as a site of social cohesion, inclusion, and agency, contributing to sustainable livelihoods and social justice. Through theoretical engagement and empirically grounded case studies, the seminar aims to demonstrate how ICH can meaningfully inform locally grounded and ecologically attuned development pathways in India.

6. Special talk on ‘Between Stone and Story: Integrating Tangible and Intangible Heritage in the Study of Kanchipuram Temple Legends’ by Prof. Ute Huesken 

(26 March 2026)

A special talk on the multi-modal transmission of temple legends (sthalapurāṇa) in Kanchipuram was organised on 26 March 2026 at Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi. Prof. Vinita Chandra, Convenor of the Indian History, Culture and Heritage Series, began the programme by felicitating the speaker Prof. Ute Hüsken, Professor and Head of the Department of Cultural and Religious History of South Asia at the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University. She also introduced the speaker to the audience which was comprised of faculty members and research scholars from IIT (BHU) and BHU. Prof. Ute Hüsken, in her talk. introduced an Academy-funded research project examining the dynamic interplay of textual, material, and performative traditions in one of South India’s most significant pilgrimage centres. Using the narrative of the Yathoktakari Perumal Temple as a case study, Prof. Hüsken demonstrated the project’s interdisciplinary methodology, integrating the study of Sanskrit and Tamil manuscripts, temple architecture and iconography, mural paintings, ritual practices, and oral narratives preserved by temple communities.

The presentation addressed a central methodological challenge in the study of Hindu temple cultures: how to analyse the complex interrelationships between textual traditions, material culture, and living ritual practices. The research team has developed a digital database that creates structured linkages between these diverse materials, enabling innovative analytical approaches to understanding how temple legends function within their ritual, architectural, and geographical contexts. The session highlighted the collaborative efforts of the research team and demonstrated the interpretive potential of the integrated database through the Yathoktakārī example. It also explored the broader implications of this methodology for studying Indian temple traditions and for rethinking the conceptual frameworks used to engage with tangible and intangible heritage. 

7. Interaction Meeting with Prof. Jörg Gengnagel, Würzburg University, Germany 

(30 March 2026)

An interaction meeting of the Indian History, Culture and Heritage Research Group was held with Prof. Jörg Gengnagel, Chair of the Department of Indology, Institute of East and South Asian Cultural Studies, Würzburg University, Germany on 30th April 2026 in the Committee room of the department of Humanistic Studies. Prof. Gengnagel briefed the group about their work at the Department and also at ICAS-MP, Delhi, of which he is currently the Director. The faculty members and research scholars from the Department of Humanistic Studies also presented their work, and a rich academic discussion followed. Since there is an ongoing MoU with the Institute, future work together was also discussed in the meeting.

8. Special talk on ‘Heritage Conservation in India: Valuing Places, Processes and People’ by Dr. Shikha Jain on the occasion of World Heritage Day

(13 April 2026)

A talk on “Heritage Conservation in India: Valuing Places, Process and People” by Dr. Shikha Jain, renowned conservation architect, was organized under the ongoing Indian History, Culture and Heritage Series by the Department of Architecture, Planning & Design in collaboration with the Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU), Varanasi on Monday to celebrate the World Heritage Day falling on 18th April this year. The event was convened by Prof. Vinita Chandra, Dr. Rabi Narayan Mohanty, and Prof. Amita Sinha, and chaired by Prof. PK Panda, Head, Department of Humanistic Studies, and Dr. Rabi Narayan Mohanty, Head, Department of Architecture, Planning and Design. The event was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Department of Architecture, Planning and Design. It witnessed enthusiastic participation from scholars, students, faculty members, and heritage enthusiasts.

The programme began at 10:00 AM with a welcome address by Dr. Rabi Narayan Mohanty. Dr. Mohanty emphasized upon the commitment of the Department to promote specialization in Heritage. Then, Prof. PK Panda, in his brief address, highlighted the contemporary relevance of heritage conservation and emphasized the need to bridge academic inquiry with practical approaches. This was followed by an introduction to the programme by Prof. Amita Sinha. Then, students of the Department of Architecture, Planning and Design made presentations, showcasing their works on cultural preservation and sustainability.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Shikha Jain, Founder-Director of DRONAH, who was introduced to the audience by Prof. Amita Sinha. Dr. Shikha Jain is a distinguished expert in conservation and heritage management with several years of experience in leading numerous architectural conservation projects in India and abroad. She stressed the need to move beyond monument-centric conservation towards a holistic understanding of heritage that includes built, natural, and living traditions. Drawing on her work with national and international organizations, including UNESCO, she highlighted the importance of cultural landscapes, community practices, and intangible heritage.

The session concluded with a round table discussion on Varanasi, moderated by Prof. Vinita Chandra. The members from IIT (BHU) and BHU- including Dr. Vinay Kumar from AIHC and Prof. Binda Paranjape and Prof. Dhrub Kumar Singh from the Department of History, and heritage professionals along with Dr. Shikha Jain discussed Varanasi as a potential World Heritage city, with the heritage core of Banaras Hindu University and IIT (BHU), Varanasi as one of the main sites. The participants deliberated on key opportunities and challenges. The discussion brought into focus the complexities of conserving a living city like Varanasi, highlighting the need to balance heritage preservation with urban development while ensuring active community involvement.

The event collectively highlighted the importance of adopting an integrated, context-sensitive, and participatory approach to heritage conservation, particularly in culturally dynamic cities like Varanasi. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Vishal Chettry, Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture, Planning and Design at IIT (BHU). 

Other Position

Chairperson, RP Ginodia Charitable Trust

Co-Curricular

Judge to the competitive event on SD Sketching, Inter Faculty Youth Festival Spandan-2026, BHU, 23 February 2026.

Chief Guest to the Cultural Programme ‘Sanskriti Samagam’ of Kidzee Elementary School, Susuwahi, Varanasi, 21 December 2025.

Judge to the event ‘Role Play of Nobel Laureate’ for students of Class VIII, Sunbeam English School, Bhagwanpur, 24 April 2025.

Chaired the program on “Human Rights in India”, organized by NSS at the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, 10 December, 2014.

Awards and Honours

Nation Builder Award given by Rotary Club Varanasi Central on 4^th September 2022, on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.