RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh governor Ramen Deka inaugurated the Centre for Culture, Language, and Traditions (CCLT) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai.
The Centre aims to foster research on cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, endangered languages, and sustainable development. Its focus encompasses linguistic diversity, cultural pluralism, ecological wisdom, and the collective memory of Chhattisgarh and India. IIT Bhilai Director Prof Rajiv Prakash attended the event.
During the launch ceremony, the Governor unveiled the Centre’s distinctive logo, which represents Chhattisgarh’s heritage and celebrates the artistic traditions of janjatiya communities.
An exhibition showcasing janjatiya handicrafts from Chhattisgarh was also organised alongside the programme.
The Governor highlighted India’s position as one of the world’s oldest continuing civilisations, with deep-rooted philosophy, art, and architecture. He expressed satisfaction regarding IIT Bhilai’s collaboration with the Chhattisgarh govt on socio-economic research and anticipated strengthened future partnerships.
At the event, Governor Deka released two project reports: “Heritage Appreciation of Barsur: Perspectives on History, Architecture, and Tourism” and “Augmenting Livelihoods through GI: A Case Study on Chhattisgarh”. The launch ceremony was attended by Vivek Acharya, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, and Manivasagan, Executive Director of Chhattisgarh Minor Forest Produce Federation.
Prof Rajiv Prakash described the Centre as an interdisciplinary hub for excellence in action-oriented, socially relevant research. He acknowledged Chhattisgarh’s rich potential for heritage and indigenous knowledge research, whilst appreciating the state govt’s continued support.
The establishment of this Centre represents a crucial development for both IIT Bhilai and Chhattisgarh’s research landscape. It aims to establish itself as a prominent global research centre addressing societal issues, aligned with the objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047.
