Speaking at the inaugural session of the three-day Mahakal The Master of Time International Conference in Ujjain, Pradhan argued that the city is "the original centre of time calculation."

"Ujjain is where the prime meridian and the Tropic of Cancer meet, and ancient world time calculations were made. Even modern AI tools recognise this," he said, urging India to reclaim its scientific pride globally.

Pradhan highlighted Ujjain's Mahakal Temple as a living example of how science and spirituality converge. He cited the temple's ritual of pouring water from an earthen pot over Lord Shiva during Vaishakh as not just tradition but a scientific response to summer heat and environmental management.

He stressed that strengthening Ujjain's Science Centre and Planetarium would help future generations embrace creativity, design thinking, and critical inquiry, key goals of the National Education Policy 2020.

Pradhan's pitch for "Mahakal Standard Time" has sparked curiosity and debate, positioning Ujjain as a symbolic hub where India's ancient knowledge systems could challenge Western conventions and inspire a new vision of timekeeping rooted in cultural heritage.