Internships

A Comprehensive Documentation of Primary and Secondary Resources on Bharatiya Jurisprudence and Case Studies on Indigenous Practices of Dispute Resolution (Complete)

PI-
  • Dr. Naveen Bhat,Associate Professor,CIKS,Chanakya University
Co-PI
  • Prof. Chetan Singai, Dean, School of Law, Governance and Public Policy, Chanakya University
  • Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sharma, School of Law, Governance and Public Policy, Chanakya University
  • Mrs. Anusha M. Virupannavar, School of Law, Governance and Public Policy, Chanakya University

Institution : Chanakya University
Supported by : Ministry of Education’s Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division

Duration: August 2024 – January 2025 (Six-month Internship Program)

Overview:
This initiative aimed to introduce students to classical Bharatiya legal thought and the living indigenous systems of justice that continue to function across India. A total of 30 interns (amounting to 60 Person Months) from diverse academic backgrounds—Law, Sanskrit, Political Science, and Sociology—were trained in academic research, fieldwork, and writing.

Key Areas of Work:
  • Bharatiya Jurisprudence: 20 interns worked on themes such as inheritance, contract law, punishment, marriage, karma, and environmental law. Primary texts included Dharmashastra, Nibandhas, and works by P.V. Kane. Outputs included thematic overviews and research articles focused on concepts like Prāyaścitta, Divya, and Rājadharma.
  • Indigenous Dispute Resolution: 10 interns conducted field research across 30+ locations in states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Sikkim. Case studies included:
    • Satyapramāṇa (Kanipakam, Andhra Pradesh)
    • Bhavanti Mane (Kalagaru, Karnataka)
    • Panch Panchayat (Banjara community, Maharashtra)
Findings:

The indigenous systems emphasized:

  • Community participation and moral authority
  • Use of local language
  • Swift and accessible resolution processes
  • Cultural trust and social cohesion
Outcomes:

The internship served as a hands-on learning platform and a foundational step in reviving native legal frameworks. It emphasized the relevance of Dharmashastra in current legal discourse and showcased living traditions of justice. The results will inform future academic research, legal education reforms, and efforts to Indianize the justice system in line with India’s civilizational ethos.

Structured Documentation of Indian Culture and Thought through Transcription of Lectures of Dr. R. Ganesh for IKS Knowledge Development(On going)

Project Leads
  • Dr. Naveen Bhat
  • Dr. Ramakrishna Pejathaya

Overview:
This project focuses on transcribing approximately 170 hours of lectures delivered by Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh on diverse aspects of Indian culture and philosophy. The internship-based initiative converts oral knowledge into academic-grade textual content.

Key Areas Covered:
  • Indian philosophies and metaphysics
  • Literature and performing arts
  • Rituals and sacred geography
  • Cultural and civilizational studies

Languages: Kannada and English (with plans for multilingual translation)

Intern Activities:
  • Transcription and editing
  • Peer review and thematic categorization
  • Compilation of thematic modules suitable for academic and research purposes

Institutional Collaboration:
Conducted in collaboration with GIPA, a cultural institution in Bangalore.

Objectives & Impact:
  • Preservation of intangible cultural heritage
  • Development of open-access educational resources
  • Support for NEP 2020’s vision of integrating IKS into mainstream education
  • Enhancement of IKS research capacity among students