Since year 2000, a few professors of the Institute in different capacities and interest have had catered to different domains of IKS pursuits. As a cumulative result of these efforts, finally the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India, recognized IIT Kharagpur and had awarded a grand Megainitiative, the first of its kind, to IIT Kharagpur. Other IITs gradually followed. The name of the initiative was called ‘The Science and Heritage initiative’ or acronym SandHI.

Within a period of 5 years (2013-19), having a total of 19 projects, Sandhi IIT Kharagpur paved a new way of looking at Indian Knowledge Systems.

SandHI had concentrated on three deep sciences, namely 1) Language systems, 2) Music systems and 3) Design/ Iconographic systems. It then forwarded another funding for a vertical on exploring another three domains in
1) Indian Philosophical systems of care, 2) Philanthropy and unconditional charity, with a special focus on 3) Scientific advancements in meditation and Yoga. It also utilized a set of case studies to carry out the experimental base. One was Project Varanasi that drew major international attention.

Additionally, it had funded a set of grounded projects in Kolkata looking at historical reexploration and new chronological pathfinding along with a focus on the traditional continuity of India’s Culture Industries, Creative Economy and the associated livelihood of its artisans, craftsperson, and builders. These projects gathered very important significant attention of the top administration of the country.