02/11/2025
While our main conference kicks off tomorrow, we wanted our attendees to experience the unique blend of science and culture that Ahmedabad has to offer in the lead-up to the event.
This year, we introduced a new dimension to the conference experience. Beyond sessions and keynotes, we aimed to create moments of discovery and connection with the spirit of our host city. We had 4 pre-conference tours today! Take a look at what all these tours have to offer.
Archaeology Tour
We stepped back in time, deep into the cavernous stepwells of Ahmedabad. Inscriptions, handprints, and intricate architecture told stories of climate, gender, and community. Standing amidst history, we reflected on how ancient water wisdom shapes our understanding of sustainability today.
🧪 Lab Tour at Ahmedabad University
Our visit took us through some of the city’s most exciting hubs of innovation — from the Oral Cancer Cluster and Emerging Infectious Diseases Lab to the Air and Climate Research Laboratory, Instrumentation and Characterisation Lab, and the MICxN Lab (Machine Intelligence, Computing, and xG Networks).
🧵Textile Tour
Sheeba Malik, founder of The Reewayat, we learnt how traditional crafts like Ajrakh, Tangail, and Meghwal embroidery are being revived. The stories woven into these textiles reveal how migration, memory, and artistry intertwine.
🍲 Gastronomy Tour
We concluded the day with a gastronomy tour that looks at food through the lens of data. From nutrition and chemistry to flavour molecules, our culinary exploration broke down what makes a Gujarati thali so special — where science meets tradition, and flavour meets formula.
As we step into the main conference tomorrow, we carry with us new insights — not just from science, but from the living heritage of Ahmedabad itself.
