International Conference on 60 Years of DFT: Advancements in Theory & Computation
IIT Mandi,Kamand
July 21-26, 2024
The proposed conference is a joint effort by IIT Mandi, IIT Ropar, IIT Guwahati, TIFR Mumbai, TCG CREST, Kolkata and Uppsala University, Sweden. The pressing need in realizing advanced technologies based on quantum phenomena demands a thorough understanding of intricate mechanisms in the nanoscale and ultrafast time domain. Moreover, the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods has opened the door to explore many new avenues of materials research, which couldn’t be dreamt of before. Our proposed workshop will cover state of the art topics such as topology, many body interactions and electron correlation, quantum information, machine learning assisted data mining and development of force fields for molecular dynamics simulations, ultrafast magnetization dynamics etc. This conference will promote future collaborations between various institutes within and outside India, which may lead to exchange visits, joint courses and future conferences.
Invited Speakers/Tentative
Parashar Lake:
At a distance of 33 km, from IIT Mandi Kamand campus, and a altitude of about 8500 ft, at Parashar lake one can experience awe-inspiring panorama of the Himalayas.
Surrounded by mountains, meadows, and near the clear water of the lake, one can witness a pagoda style three tiered temple by the lake. It makes for an excellent leisurely day-tour destination.
Barot Valley:
On the banks of early parts of the Uhl river, Barot is a relatively less explored, niche and a great backpacker and day-tour destination, about 68 km away from IIT Mandi Kamand campus. Many walking and trekking trails pass through Barot. It is among the hidden treasures of Himachal because of which not much people know about it. The place is situated in valley sorrounded by thick deodar and oak forest. The sweet silence of the woods here engross the visitors.
Rewalsar:
Rewalsar Lake is place of spiritual importance, situated at 44 km from IIT Mandi Kamand campus.
There is a Buddhist monastry and some Buddhist temples in Rewalsar, on hills sorrounding the lake. These are visited by several Buddhists, especially on the Tibetan New Year, thus making Rewalsar into a mini Buddhist colony. About 10 km from Rewalsar is situated the temple of Naina Devi, the approach to which is loaded with scenic views of the sorrounding hills and smaller lakes.
Janjheli and Tungasi Dhar:
For the more adventurous souls, Tungasi Dhar is a Group of Hills near Janjelhi valley. A trek of appoximately 3 hours from Janjelhi leads to Tungasi top. There is a beautiful temple of Dev Tungasi on top of Tungasi. Hills are beautifully covered with thick forest of Deodar. However, please note that the way towards Tungasi dhar is not very well managed and visitors need to find it through the forest of Deodar & Rai / Taous.
Pandoh dam and Hanogi Temple:
The Pandoh Dam is an embankment dam on the Beas River in Mandi district, on the way to Kullu. It is good transit spot to enjoy Beas river in its splendour serpentining among the sorrounding hills. A little further from Pandoh is the temple of Hanogi Mata on the Bean Banks, which is very popular among the locals.
Shikari Peak:
Shikari Peak, also known as the Shikari Devi Peak, is the highest mountain peak in the district of Mandi. It is at a height of 11,500 ft above sea level and is a great place to trek. This peak is famous for the Shikari Devi temple.