Day 2- 22.09.2026

The first session of second day was started with the lecture of Prof. Suraj Pandit. He presented his thoughts on ‘Archeological methods and Cultural Processes’. Dr. Suraj Pandit emphasized that archaeological methods are essential for understanding past human societies through the systematic study of material remains. Archaeology uses methods such as excavation, survey, stratigraphic analysis, dating techniques, and the study of artefacts to reconstruct patterns of human life and cultural change. He stated that in studying cultural processes, archaeological evidence helps us to understand how societies developed, interacted, adapted to their environment, and exchanged ideas and technologies. Dr. Pandit’s approach highlighted the importance of interpreting archaeological remains within their wider social, economic, environmental, and cultural contexts rather than viewing artefacts in isolation. Thus, archaeological methods provide the evidence through which processes such as migration, interaction, continuity, transformation, and cultural development can be studied.

Second session started with talk of Prof. Ithamar Theodor on Articulating a Methodology for the Study of Bhagavadgita. He emphasized the need to approach the text through a systematic and context-sensitive hermeneutic framework rather than treating it merely as a philosophical or religious document. His methodology considers the Gita within its broader Mahabharata context while also attending to its theological, philosophical, literary, and historical dimensions. Prof. Theodor highlighted the importance of examining the text’s internal concepts, especially its understanding of dharma, yoga, action, knowledge, devotion, and liberation, and of recognizing the relationship between these ideas and the text’s overarching theological vision.

           The speaker of third session was Prof. Namita Nimbalkar. She presented her thoughts on Identification of Research Gap. She emphasized that is identifying a research gap is a foundational step in research methodology, critical thinking, and the formulation of an original dissertation topic. In her lectures and coursework on research methodology, she highlighted that a well-defined research gap goes beyond simply pointing out missing literature; it requires scholars to engage in rigorous critical analysis and deep reading to uncover contradictions, conceptual inconsistencies, or unexamined perspectives within existing scholarship. For researchers, particularly in fields like philosophy, ethics, and social sciences, she viewed gap identification as a pathway to decolonizing the mind and revitalizing localized knowledge systems.

                 The last session started with lecture of Prof. Mau Dasgupta on Citation Methods. According to Prof. Mau Dasgupta, citation methods are an essential part of research methodology because they provide proper acknowledgment to the sources and ideas used in academic work. She stated that effective citation helps researchers maintain academic honesty, avoid plagiarism, and establish the credibility of their arguments. She emphasized that citation methods also enable readers to trace the original sources and verify the information presented by the researcher.  Also Dr. Dasgupta mentioned that depending on the discipline and research requirements, different styles such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard may be used. Thus, she stated that proper and consistent citation is not merely a formal requirement but an important practice that strengthens the reliability, transparency, and scholarly value of research.