Jijñāsā
Science, Consciousness & Inner Quest Group IITBBS
ESTD – 2022
(Ideological roots trace back to 2018)
All About
Jijñāsā (from Sanskrit, meaning “the desire to know”) is a dynamic, student-led initiative at IIT Bhubaneswar. It is a platform where science, spirituality, and self-inquiry converge. It holds the vision to facilitate young friends in exploring the foundations of science and go beyond to build new science through an interdisciplinary, integrated approach to science and age-old traditionalIndic wisdom.
Jijnasa explores the synergy between modern scientific reasoning and timeless spiritual wisdom — fostering a balanced outlook that promotes both intellectual sharpness and inner clarity. Rooted in the vision of the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI), Bhubaneswar, Jijnasa serves as a bridge between the scientific worldview and inner quest for truth.
Founding & Origins
While officially founded in 2022, the ideological seeds of Jijnasa were sown in 2018, when a group of IIT Bhubaneswar students attended the landmark conference on “Mathematics and Reality” with Speakers Sri Varun Agarwal and Sri Vasudev Rao organised by the Bhaktivedanta Institute.
This event opened new realms of thought—where logic met introspection, and science met spirituality. The founding members became actively involved with BI scholars, diving deep into Vedantic science, consciousness studies, and rational inquiry. This intellectually and spiritually charged environment gave rise to Jijnasa.
Founding Members
Name | Affiliation | Role |
G. Ruthvik | IIT Bhubaneswar (Alumnus) | Founding Member |
Yogesh Tambe | IIT Bhubaneshwar, Final year | Founding Member, Present Chief Coordinator |
Prabhas Naidu | IIT Bhubaneswar (Alumnus) | Founding Member |
All three founders were deeply nurtured in the ecosystem of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, which shaped their thinking and vision.
Current Team (2025)
Name | Role | Affiliation |
Yogesh Tambe | Chief Coordinator | IIT Bhubaneswar (Alumnus) |
Y Monalisa | Coordinator | UG Student, IIT Bhubaneswar |
Anurag Kumar | Core Team Member | UG Student, IIT Bhubaneswar |
Manoj | Core Team Member | UG Student, IIT Bhubaneswar |
Shashank Vadekar | Member | UG Student, IIT Bhubaneswar |
Soumi | Member | UG Student, IIT Bhubaneswar |
and many more…
Association with Bhaktivedanta Institute, Bhubaneswar
Jijnasa stands on the solid intellectual and visionary foundation laid by the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI), Bhubaneswar. It is not just inspired by BI—it was born from it.
The very impulse behind Jijnasa’s formation traces back to the 2018 BI conference on “Mathematics and Reality”, a profound convergence of scientific reasoning and Vedantic wisdom. That conference didn’t merely spark curiosity; it ignited a movement—one where young scientific minds began to ask deeper questions about life, consciousness, and reality.
How BI Shapes Jijnasa:
- Philosophical Foundation: BI’s unique approach to integrating science with spirituality is the bedrock of Jijnasa’s mission.
- Founding Lineage: The founding members of Jijnasa were nurtured in BI’s environment—attending seminars, studying under senior scholars, and engaging in transformative dialogue.
- Collaborative Ecosystem: Jijnasa works in active partnership with BI through:
- Weekly classes and science–spirituality sessions
- Jointly hosted symposiums and public lectures
- Personalized mentoring and discourse circles
- Scientific-Spiritual Synthesis: Students gain access to cutting-edge philosophical frameworks—from Vedantic cosmology to modern consciousness studies—all grounded in rigorous logic and inquiry.
Jijnasa Activities
Regular Weekly Activities
- Science & Spirituality Book Reading Circle
- Reflection-Based Discussions & Article Writing
- Talks on Contemporary Scientific Topics with a Spiritual Lens
- Chanting, Meditation & Devotion Practices (Optional and open for interested participants)
Monthly Activities
- Thematic Talk Series (e.g., Science of Mental Wellbeing, Consciousness & AI)
- Interactive Meetups with BI Scholars
- Workshops and Seminars on Spiritual Science
- Panel Discussions and Quiz Events
Annual Activities
- Science & Spirituality Annual Public Talk (in partnership with BI and URI)
- Student Participation in Conferences like AISSQ & Summer School
- Cultural Programs Blending Science and Inner Quest
- Annual Retreats to Places like Mayapur & Puri
Future Plans
- Launch of “Jijnasa Magazine” with student-written essays and research reflections
- Certificate Course on Science & Spirituality (in collaboration with BI)
- Media Wing Launch – Podcasts, YouTube content, student documentaries
- National Collaborations – Events with other IITs, science-spiritual clubs, and institutions
Vision Forward
Jijnasa isn’t just a student group — it is a movement. A movement that believes science is not complete without soul-searching, and spirituality is not whole without inquiry. We aim for building a generation that doesn’t just code, construct, or calculate—but one that also contemplates, connects, and questions deeply.
“When we merge the brilliance of science with the clarity of inner consciousness — we don’t just build careers, we build civilizations.”
Hold Hand-in-Hand
Join with Us
yogeshtambe987@gmail.com