- Ujjain will become a science city along with the religious city
- The objective of this discussion is to take it from Mahakal the Master of Time to Standard Time: Union Education Minister Shri Pradhan
- Inaugurated the newly constructed Ujjain Science Centre
- Bhoomi Pujan of the expansion project of Samrat Vikramaditya ‘The Heritage Unit ‘
- Bhoomi Pujan of the bypass road to be constructed for the convenience of devotees in Simhastha-2028
- Observed the exhibition focused on the topic ‘Mahakal: The Master of Time’
- Encouraged the students by discussing with them in the satellite making workshop
- Released the website, brochure and book of Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan
- Bhoomi Pujan of development works worth Rs. 725 crore in Ujjain
- Inaugurated the International Conference ‘Mahakal the Master of Time’ in Ujjain
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that Ujjain, besides being a city of religion, is also a city of science. Science, mathematics, astronomy, and cosmic contemplation have been ingrained in Ujjain’s soil for centuries. Ujjain has been a center of time calculation, where the art of measuring time using the sun’s shadow developed in ancient times. According to ancient Indian geography, Ujjain lies on the Tropic of Cancer and was considered the Earth’s midpoint. Centuries before the Greenwich Mean Standard, the zero meridian passed through the holy city of Ujjain. At a time when astronomy was unknown in the West, Ujjain’s astrologers and scholars were calculating time and predicting the positions of the stars. When the world was learning to define time, the great sages here had established a global standard for astronomical calculations. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the inaugural session of the international conference “Mahakal: The Master of Time” in Ujjain on Friday. He welcomed the scholars and experts who had come to the Mahakal: The Master of Time International Conference.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the Ujjain Science Center and also inaugurated and visited the science exhibition at Tara Mandal. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the four-lane Ujjain bypass and the “Samrat Vikramaditya – The Heritage” project in preparation for Simhastha 2028. Thinker and social activist Shri Suresh Soni was specially present on the occasion.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that according to science, everything in the universe is subject to time, but Shiva symbolizes the infinite, from where time originates and where time ends. Therefore, he is the master of time, meaning “Master of Time.” Science recognizes that time and space are inseparable. Our scriptures, ages ago, propounded this scientific truth by calling Shiva the universal form and Mahakaal.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that Ujjain is being established as a Science City. For this purpose, a Science Center was inaugurated today at a cost of over 15 crore rupees. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are also receiving continued support from the Central Government. This is truly a powerful effort to revive our scientific heritage. He praised the efforts being made to implement the new education policy under the leadership of Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and said that the state government is making serious efforts to connect youth with the Indian knowledge tradition in accordance with the spirit of this policy.
- Ujjain offers a wonderful blend of science, art, culture, literature and spirituality: Union Education Minister Shri Pradhan
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that Ujjain is a place where the distance between spirituality and science disappears and a new vision is born. All of India’s major spiritual centers—whether Ujjain, Kashi, Kanchi, or Puri Dham—are living laboratories based on the Indian knowledge tradition, where a wonderful synthesis of science, art, culture, literature, and spirituality is found.
Union Minister Shri Pradhan emphasized the inextricable connection between science and spirituality. He stated that science is incomplete without spirituality, and the most apt example of this is seen in the city of Ujjain itself and the arrangements at the Mahakal Temple. Referring to a scientific ritual at the Mahakal Temple, Union Minister Shri Pradhan explained that the practice of continuously pouring water from a pot over Lord Shiva from the first day of the month of Vaishakh is not merely a religious tradition, but a scientific solution to the challenges of summer and environmental management. This demonstrates that our society has, for centuries, possessed a scientific understanding of time calculation and adapting its lifestyle to the changes in nature. Environmental responsibility and a balanced life flow have always been central to the Indian knowledge tradition.
Union Minister Shri Pradhan, while referring to the major changes taking place in the field of education, underlined the importance of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). He emphasized that we must move our education system away from the old tradition of rote learning and towards creativity, design thinking, and critical thinking. Today is the era of AI and computational thinking. To ensure that Indian students do not lag behind in this global race, new courses like AI are being introduced at the school level. Union Minister Shri Pradhan clarified that no language can have a monopoly on knowledge, therefore, education is being integrated with Indian languages and folk cultures so that every student can easily understand complex scientific subjects in their mother tongue.
Union Minister Shri Pradhan said that Ujjain is the place where the Tropic of Cancer passes and from here in ancient times the world’s time calculations were done, hence now the time has come to logically establish ‘Mahakal Standard Time’ (MST) in place of ‘Greenwich Mean Time’ (GMT). He said that even modern AI tools accept that the original center of time calculation is the area around Ujjain, hence we have to re-establish our scientific self-respect at the global level and this is the main objective of this discussion.
Union Minister Shri Pradhan said that India is today rapidly advancing in space, drones, and information technology. He expressed confidence that in the next two decades, India will not only meet its own needs but also provide scientific solutions to the environmental and economic challenges of the entire world, in the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” Strengthening the Science Center and Planetarium in Ujjain is a major step in this direction, enabling future generations to move forward with a scientific outlook.
- Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan’s website, brochure and booklet released
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Education Minister Mr. Pradhan released the Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan website, brochure, and booklet. A video film based on the multi-level assessment system developed to cultivate scientific leaders was also screened at the event.
- Bhoomi Pujan for development works worth Rs 725 crore in Ujjain for Simhastha 2028
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Education Minister Shri Pradhan performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the expansion project of Madhya Pradesh Tourism’s unit, “Samrat Vikramaditya The Heritage,” in Ujjain. Currently, this heritage unit has 19 rooms, three restaurants including a rooftop, a Panchakarma center, and a library. Keeping in mind the ever-increasing religious tourism and the upcoming Simhastha 2028, it will be expanded at a cost of Rs 22.52 crore. This expansion will include 14 new rooms, a well-maintained dormitory, connecting pathways connecting the campus, and attractive gardens and landscaping.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the 19.80-km-long Ujjain Simhastha Bypass (4-lane) road, to be constructed at a cost of ₹701.86 crore. This project will benefit approximately 500,000 people and pilgrims attending Simhastha 2028. The 4-lane road will also facilitate movement and traffic management. The 4-lane road will be upgraded to 4-lanes for 14 km and expanded to 4-lanes for 5.8 km. The road will begin at the Shanti Palace intersection on the Indore-Ujjain 6-lane road, connect the Ujjain-Indore Greenfield Road, Ujjain-Jawar Road, and Ujjain-Garoth Road, and end near the Ujjain-Jhalawar National Highway No. 552-G in village Surasa.
- Inaugurated the newly constructed Ujjain Science Centre
- Visit to the exhibition on the theme ‘Mahakal: The Master of Time’
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Minister Shri Pradhan visited the exhibition on the theme “Mahakal: The Master of Time.” The exhibition showcased topics related to India’s ancient sage-scientist tradition, modern drone technology, and the establishment of Ujjain as a global timescale center in an engaging and informative manner. The exhibition particularly highlighted the integration of tradition and modern science. A demonstration of a robotic arm designed for aarti was also observed and appreciated. Various institutions, including ISRO, Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, IIT Indore, RRCAT, National Sanskrit University, and Samrat Vikramaditya Research Institute, displayed models and research work. Ancient Indian texts were displayed at the Indian Knowledge System stall. Models of ASLV, Mangalyaan, and Chandrayaan, along with medical, agricultural, and air taxi drones, were among the highlights.
- Encouraged students by discussing with them in satellite making workshop
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Minister Mr. Pradhan observed the satellite-making workshop held at the exhibition, interacted with the students present, and encouraged them. More than 120 students from 10 engineering colleges learned the process of building nanosatellites at the workshop.
Dr. Anil Kothari, Director General of MAPCAST, said that the inauguration of the Ujjain Science Center by Chief Minister Dr. Yadav is a milestone for the region. Five pre-conferences held prior to the conference were the foundation for its success. He said that experts from across the country will advance the goal of re-establishing Ujjain as the world’s center of chronology.
Renowned thinker and author Mr. Suresh Soni stated that the concept of time in Indian culture is profound and scientific. Indian chronology is linked to the movement of celestial bodies, the seasonal cycle, and the laws of nature. He stated that a balanced coordination between science and technology, art, spirituality, sociality, and socioeconomics is essential for future progress. The Kalayantra installed in Ujjain is an excellent example of this integration of ancient scientific tradition and modern technology. He urged young people to understand India’s scientific heritage, live in harmony with nature, and connect science with human values.
Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, National Organization Minister of Vigyan Bharati, said that this event is setting new standards in science and technology education. Education is not just a medium of information, but a means of imparting a transformative vision to society. He explained that the “Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2026-27” was launched under the “Learning by Doing” principle of the National Education Policy 2020, with the aim of developing a scientific outlook and innovative capacity among students while instilling a sense of pride in the Indian knowledge tradition.
Dr. Ganti S. Murthy, National Coordinator, IKS New Delhi, stated that the conference is based on preserving past knowledge, creating innovation, and the continuous flow of knowledge. The conference features children’s physics training, special sessions, and exhibitions showcasing astronomy and modern innovations.
- ‘Mahakal: The Master of Time’
The primary objective of the international conference is to integrate India’s rich scientific heritage, which has been our hallmark for centuries, with the modern world. The most important resolution of this revolutionary event is to re-establish Ujjain as the “meridian of the world.” In line with Chief Minister Dr. Yadav’s vision, this conference will open new doors to the “space economy” toward realizing the dream of a “developed India.” Here, a unique confluence of modern advancements in astronomy and cosmology with ancient Indian knowledge of time is being witnessed. Another important objective of the conference is to scientifically correct the subtle errors in calendar systems by subjecting the timeless principles of Vedanga and Siddhanta Jyotish to the touchstone of modern science.
On this occasion, Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister of State for Skill Development and Employment (Independent Charge) Shri Gautam Tetwal, along with representatives of Mapcast, Indian Knowledge Tradition Cell (Ministry of Education, Government of India), Vigyan Bharti, Indian National Science Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Veer Bharat Trust and Dattopant Thengadi Research Institute and a large number of common people were present.