The Function held on Sunday 13th May, 2007 was presided over by Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Director, National Mission for Manuscripts, Govt. of India. Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan emphasised that the learning of Prakrit Language is necessary to read the Manuscripts written in Prakrit. She appreciated the huge stock of manuscripts collection and its upkeep by the BLII library. On this occasion Prof. Dayanand Bhargava delivered his lecture Some New Lights on Anekantavada.
It was 3rd lecture organised by the institute in the Acharya Hemachandrasuri Lecture Series. Dr. Bhargava said that a complete view of life must embrace in itself the contradictions of life. In the field of metaphysics, the philosophers may differ, but in practical life all of them are obliged to adopt a non-absolutistic approach by accepting the possibility of co-existence of contradictions.
Dr. J. B. Shah, Director, L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, emphasised on importance of the learning and teaching of Prakrit language and literature. He said that Prakrit is necessary to know the Indian Culture. Without knowing Prakrit language one cannot appreciate Classical Sanskrit Dramas. Dr. Shah said that before partition of India, in 1947, Acharya Shri Vallabhasuriji who was staying at Gujarawalan town at that time, was very much disturb and worried about the safety of huge collection of manuscripts because of Hindu-Muslim riots. He managed to conceal the entire manuscript stock in the hollow walls made especially for this purpose. Thus huge stock of manuscripts was saved with the hope that one day the collection could be brought to India. With the successful efforts of Jain Community, bureaucrats and Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the treasure of these Manuscripts traced and brought here in India. It is the same precious treasure, which is being looked after properly in the BLII. It is a rare collection of Manuscripts and now available to the scholars all over the world for research work. Dr. Shah by his comments enriched the lecture delivered by Prof. D.N. Bhargava
The program started with the chanting of Namokar Mahamantra by Sadhvi Shri Sunitashriji and Saraswati Vandana by Mrs. Deepshikha Jain. Lamps were lighted by Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Dr. J. B. Shah, Shri N. P. Jain and Shri Vinodbhai Dalal (President, BLII). Mr. N. P. Jain, Vice-Chairman of the Institute welcomed all the guests and participants who came here to attend the Summer School from all over India. He also gave a brief introduction of Vallabha Smaraka and BLII. Gp Capt. V. K. Jain described the various activities and achievements of the Institute. The Treasurer, Mr. Deven Yashwant introduced the Acharya Hemachandrasuri Lecture Series and the Speaker of the day. Prof. J. P. Vidyalankar, the Ex-Director, BLII proposed a vote of thanks. The leading academicians and executives of capital were present on this occasion. The Lunch was sponsored by Vallabh Smarak. The function was conducted by Dr. Balaji Ganorkar, Offtg. Director, BLII.
