The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan embarked upon in 1977, a new project, “ANCIENT INSIGHTS AND MODERN DISCOVERIES (AIMD)” with the object of examining and evaluating critically the possible inter-relationships or correlations between ancient intellectual endeavours, specially of India, and modern scientific thoughts and achievements.

This new project functioned in three wings:

•   Science and Technology
•   Life and Health Science
•   Science and Spirituality

While considerable work has already been attempted in the first two wings, the third wing for which a Centre for the synthesis of science and spirituality had been proposed was delayed for want of adequate support.

Fifteen years ago, eminent Scientists and Sanskritists began to take fresh and renewed interest in this project and offered to associate themselves actively in promoting a Centre with definite objectives. The plan to set up such a Centre got further impetus through thr munificence of Shri Ramakrishna Bajaj who offered generous support for starting the Centre.

It was thought appropriate to name the Centre after MAHATMA GANDHI and found it as a JAMNALAL BAJAJ CENTENARY PROJECT. Some elders of the country like Swami Ranganathanandaji,Bharataratna Sri C.Subramaniam, Sri S.Ramakrishnan, Dr.N.A.Palkhivala and Dr.Raja Ramanna sat around and discussed the issue thread bare and felt the need of starting a new Institution under the auspices of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. This was to be a constituent unit of the Bhavan and named “BHAVAN'S GANDHI CENTRE OF SCIENCE AND HUMAN VALUES”. The institution had to come into grips with the modern science and technology with ancient Indian tradition. After all, Gandhiji was never reluctant to the advancement of science and technology as long as it was in the services of the common man, the poor and the downtrodden. Scientific temper had to be infused into him to help make him modern in his outlook and behaviour, banishing superstition, illiteracy and stagnation.