Port-of-Spain, July 29(IANS) Over 100 scholars from India and around the globe will participate in the World Association of Vedic Studies (WAVES) at the University of the West Indies early next month.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is likely to address the seminar to be held Aug 4-7.

Indian High Commissioner Malay Mishra told a press conference Wednesday that this is the first time such a conference is being held in the Caribbean.

WAVES along with the Indian High Commission and the Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Centre are holding the conference.

Bal Ram Singh, a professor who will chair the conference, said: 'The universal insights of the Vedas have much to guide and inform us in this challenging global climate. Hence we have chosen the conference theme: Vedic Knowledge for Civilisational Harmony.'

'Vedic heritage is vast, diverse and complex and it is reflected in WAVES 2010 line-up of over 100 Vedic scholars, linguists, philosophers, scientists and mathematicians who will be presenting their respective research.'

Conference coordinator, Pundit Ramsamooj, said people in this country are looking forward to hosting the first ever WAVES conference outside the US.

Several local organisations, including the National Council of Indian Culture and the Vedic Mission, are supporting the conference.

Sashi Kejriwal, WAVES president, said: 'This conference promises to be an historic event in cultural studies and celebrations of Vedic traditions as it provides an excellent opportunity for the Indian community to understand and connect with their rich and diverse tradition of eternal values.'

(Paras Ramoutar can be contacted at paras_ramoutar@yahoo.com)