Two-Day National Seminar on

r : S c i e nce, Culture and Soc

a te iety
W
Harmony in Hydration: Navigating the Future of Water Sustainability

11-12 January, 2024

Organized By
Bikaner Interdisciplinary Research Consortium (BIRC)
Govt. Dungar College
(Three times consecutively 'A' Grade by NAAC)
Bikaner - 334 001(INDIA)
In Association With
Rashtra Jagran Abhiyan
About Bikaner:
Bikaner, an awesome and beautiful city with vast expanse of rippling sand and scorching
sun is situated on an elevated ground, surrounded by a seven-kilometer-long embattled
wall marked by five gates. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1488 and from its small
origin it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. Bikaner is now a trade
center for wool, hides, building stone, salt, and grain. This city is known for woollen
shawls, blankets, carpets, ivory and lacquer ware handicrafts . “Bikaneri Bhujia and
Papad" (a spicy snack made from moth dal, spices and edible oil) sweets, “Usta Art”
(centuries old technique is Characterized by miniature paintings and gold embossing) and
intricately carved Jharokas are the main attractions, which have highlighted this city at the
world map. The real Bikaneri culture is reflected in its socio-cultural practices, religious
and communal harmony and the underlying philosophy of contentment inherited from
Laxminathji temple, Nagnechiji temple, Shri Karnimata temple (World famous mouse
temple), ShriKolayatji and more than 100 temples. The gypsum, POP, ceramics and food
industry are uniqueness of Bikaner and now it is becoming Solar Energy hub.
About College: The college has been accredited as A-Grade by NAAC-UGC in
consecutive three cycles (i.e. in 2006, 2014 and 2021) and stands as Torch bearer of Higher
Education Institutes in Rajasthan. Govt. Dungar College in its nascent state was called
The Darbar School. Shri Dungar Singhji was the 20th ruler of the erstwhile state of
Bikaner and established The Darbar School in the year 1873. After his demise, his brother
Ganga Singhji elevated the Darbar School to Dungar Memorial College on 25 September
1912. In the year 1951, there were only five post-graduate colleges in Rajasthan and
Dungar College was one of them. Today this college is one of the premier institutions of
Rajasthan, where 25 subjects are being taught at Graduate and Post Graduate level.
Research work is also being carried out for Ph.D. Degree in all the three faculties. GCRC
(Green Chemistry Research Center), Herbarium, Geology museum, Zoology museum are
major research and education points of the college. The college has developed Smart
Science Laboratory for AR and VR experiments.
About BIRC: In 2005 a new concept of Interdisciplinary research has been started in the
Govt Dungar college Bikaner in terms of BIRC which has not only became the best
practice for the institution but a source of inspiration and example for many other
initiatives of Rajasthan college education. Following are the Motives of the BIRC - To
develop a Centre for excellence in the field of research and development and to provide a
common platform to scientists and academicians from different branches of science and
technology, To develop interdisciplinary scientific approach in order to solve the problem,
To investigate the potential utilization of desert land and resources for the sustainable
development, To forge academic and research collaborations with national and
international universities, government agencies and industries, To establish links with
various R&D organizations and funding agencies for sponsored and contract research, To
take up problems faced by local industry and provide solutions to them. Now almost all
departments have been associated with the BIRC in one or other way.
From the last year BIRC has initiated one Unique concept for Teaching-Learning and
Research. In which different department contributes for one common topic. In Jan 2023
first Seminar on the Sun : Science, Culture and Society was organized in which
researchers from 25 subjects contributed.
About the Seminar:
Water symbolizes purification, fluidity, and adaptability. It's often associated with emotions,
balance, and the cyclical nature of life. In various belief systems, the elements represent
fundamental aspects of the physical and metaphysical world, contributing to a holistic
understanding of existence. In Vedic philosophy, water holds significant connotations
symbolizing purity, life, and cosmic order. It is often associated with the sacred and is
considered essential for spiritual rituals and ceremonies. Water's flowing nature is seen as a
metaphor for the flow of life and the interconnectedness of all things.
In the realm of education, Vedic traditions emphasize holistic learning and the pursuit of
knowledge as a means of spiritual growth. Water's symbolic attributes, like purity and fluidity,
might be integrated into educational teachings to emphasize the importance of a pure mind and
adaptability in the learning process. Additionally, rituals involving water are often considered
purifying, reflecting the idea of cleansing the mind for a more receptive approach to education.
The current situation regarding water poses several challenges for mankind. Water scarcity is a
growing concern due to over-extraction, pollution, and climate change. Many regions face
water stress, impacting agriculture, industries, and daily life. Poor water quality,
contamination, and inadequate sanitation contribute to health issues, affecting vulnerable
populations. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, leading to unpredictable rainfall
patterns and extreme weather events. Addressing water-related issues requires sustainable
management, conservation efforts, and global cooperation to ensure access to clean water for
all and mitigate the impact of water-related challenges on ecosystems and human well-being.
Presentations are invited from scholars whose work addresses topics including, but not limited
to the following fields.
 Jal-tattva: The Sacred Essence of Water
 The role of water in Vedic arts, poetry, and aesthetics
 Symbolic significance of water in creative expression
 TirthaYatra: Pilgrimage and the Sacred Waters
 PanchaMahabhuta: Water and the Elemental Balance
 Healing Waters in Ayurveda
 Sacred Rituals: Abhisheka and Water Offerings
 Water as a Metaphor: Reflections on the Self
 Water and sanitation crisis.
 Water Security and Access
 Climate Change and Water Resilience
 Innovations in Water Technology
 Water Governance and Policy
 Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration
 Community Engagement and Education
Call for Papers:
Researchers, scholars, and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts and papers related to
the seminar themes. Selected papers will be published as conference proceedings.
Awards: During the seminar Best paper awards (Senior), Best paper awards (Young),
Best poster award and Best e-poster award will be given. A separate electronic certificate
will be given to registered participants of e-poster event. One can participate in both the
events. For young student award, age limit is 35 years. For best poster and best e-poster
award, no age limit.
Guidelines for Abstract submission
Abstract submitted electronically (with registration link) in the prescribed format will be selected for
screening by technical committee. Abstract must be submitted in MS word file, should not be more than
300 words and follow as- TITLE Bold font size 14, Times New Roman (Uppercase) Authors name Bold
font size 12, Times New Roman (Sentence case, presenting author underlined) Authors affiliation Normal
font size 12, Times New Roman (Sentence case) with official address and email id. Abstract Normal font
size 12, Times New Roman (Sentence case, justified). The abstracts not be submitted in the prescribed
format will not be accepted and no correspondence will be made regarding it.
Registration:
Registration is mandatory for all including the apex committee (Electronically) with a nominal fee of Rs
300/- for academicians and faculty members. No registration fee for students. This includes participation
in all sessions, high tea and certificate of participation.
Contact for details : Email : birc2023@gmail.com
Dr. Divya Joshi (WA No 7597117743), Dr. H.S. Bhandari (WA No 9983584147 ),
Dr. S.N. Jatolia (WA No 992938640), Dr. Raja Ram (WA No 9828091636)
Dr. S.K. Verma (WA No 9983586194) and Dr. Uma Rathore (WA No 9950420714)
CLICK for abstract submission and registration
https://forms.gle/zU5FWEaWfEZW3Z5Z6
Apex Organizing Committee
Patron Chairperson

Prof. R.K. Purohit Prof. I.S. Rajpurohit

Principal, Govt. Dungar College IQAC Coordinator
Co-Patrons Co-Chairpersons
Dr. Satish Gupta Prof. Devesh K. Khandelwal
Prof. Narendra Nath Prof. M.D. Sharma
Prof. Smita Jain Prof. Sushma Jain
Convener Coordinator
Prof. Divya Joshi Prof. N. Bhojak
HOD-English, Govt. Dungar College Founder Director-BIRC, Govt. Dungar College
Co-Conveners Organizing Secretaries Jt. Organizing Secretaries Treasurers
Dr. H.S. Bhandari Dr. S.N. Jatolia Dr. Devesh Saharan Prof. S. Gupta
Dr. Raja Ram Dr. S.K. Verma Dr. Ravi Parihar Dr. Uma Rathore
Technical Committee
Prof. C. S. Kachhawa Prof. Sumitra Charan Prof. Shashi Kant Prof. Rajesh Bhakar
Prof. Raj NarayanVyas Prof. Sangeeta Sharma Prof. Lalita Yadav Prof. Pratap Singh
Prof. N.S. Rathore Prof. Smita Sharma Prof. Suman Lata Prof. Vikramjeet
Prof. Anu Sharma Prof. Sanjay Acharya Prof. Kailsh Swami Prof. Vipin Saini
Prof. Anila Purohit Prof. P. Maheshwari Prof. Bindu Bhasin Prof. Maina Nirwan
Dr. B.R. Joshi Dr. Deva Ram Dr. S.K. Yadav Dr. Archana Purohit
Dr. Abhilasha Sonel Dr. Rajendra Singh Dr. Madhusudan Dr. Asma Masood
Dr. Sita Ram Dr. Lalit Verma Dr. Sampat Bhadu Dr. Mahendra Thori
Dr. Akshay Joshi Dr. Saroj Ameria Dr. Shweta Nehra Dr. Nidhi Sharma