Kolkata
June 8, 2025
C-DAC Patna and the Bhaktivedanta Institute Kolkata successfully organized a Summer School on Quantum Foundations from June2nd - 8th, 2025. The event commenced online and continued in-person from June6th - 8that the Biswa Bangla Convention Center, Kolkata. The summer school brought together distinguished scientists, academicians, spiritual thinkers, researchers, and students to delve into the philosophical, cognitive, and technological repercussions of advanced quantum physics.
The inaugural session of the event was graced by several esteemed dignitaries including Prof. Pankaj Joshi, Distinguished Prof. and Founding Director, International Center for Space and Cosmology, Shri. Aditya Kumar Sinha, Scientist G and Director, C-DAC Patna, Prof. Debi Prasad Mishra, Director, NITTTR, Kolkata, Dr. B D Mundhra, Chairman Emeritus, Simplex Infrastructures Ltd. and Shri. Vasudeva Rao, President, Bhaktivedanta Institute.
The summer school featured eminent Indian and international speakers, including Nobel Laureate Anthony Leggett, who delivered thought-provoking lectures on a wide range of topics. Core foundational concepts such as superposition, non-locality, EPR experiments, and various interpretations of quantum mechanics were examined in depth. The school uniquely broadened its scope to include consciousness studies, with stimulating discussions on the relation between physics and consciousness.
Shri Aditya Kumar Sinha, ScientistG and Director, C-DAC Patna delivered a thought-provoking talk titled, 'Making Sense of the Quantum and Reprogramming the Human Mind'. He addressed the complex challenges confronting the modern world and discussed how reimagining the human thought process, drawing inspiration from the quantum realm, could lead to unique and ingenious solutions to some of today's most pressing problems, a concept he which he encapsulated in the phrase "quantum reprogramming of the mind". Other talks also offered intriguing perspectives, including an exploration of consciousness through the lens of Godel's Incompleteness Theorems by Shri. Nishant Kumar Shekhar, ScientistD, C-DAC Patna.
The summer school was further enriched by technical sessions on cutting-edge topics such as Post-Quantum Cryptography and Quantum Readiness, by Dr. Kunal Abhishkek, ScientistE, C-DAC Patna, and by international speakers on topics including nanowire quantum dots, and soliton-polariton-based quantum supercomputers. A highlight of the programme was the active involvement of young scholars, bringing fresh perspectives with their presentations and leading to cross-generational academic interactions, enriching the learning experience for all participants.
The Summer School witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 150 attendees comprising students, researchers, academicians, and professionals from across the country. The vibrant exchange of ideas and the spirit of inquiry that defined the event made it a resounding success.
