Acharya Tulsi Memorial Lecture @ SOAS
Satish Kumar
Samani Pratibha Pragya
Dr. Atul K. Shah
As always, Dr Atul Shah very skilfully and eloquently MC'd the event. We were all treated to an inspiring and uplifting speech by Satish Kumar, when he recalled events of his life under the guardianship and tutelage of his Guru, Acharya Tulsi when Satish was a very young monk, and how that period of his life shaped who he became and how he continues to apply the values in everyday life and inspire others to do so, bearing in mind always the principle of Anekantvad.
Samani Pratibha Pragyaji also gracefully delivered an uplifting speech. Among other aspects, she followed up on Satish's observation of how Acharya Tulsi empowered Jain nuns with education, which they were all denied until that time (unlike Jain monks).
It was great to meet JV members Ashvinbhai Shah, Keval Shah and Neal Mehta at the event. Even Sagar K, although on a meditation retreat at the time, was there in spirit as his message of appreciation of Satish Kumar and his book, Earth Pilgrim, was specially announced by Dr Atul Shah.
We were all very pleased to meet Satish Kumar in person, and he was full of encouragement when I explained what we do in the context of Jain Vegans.
After the event, there was time to mingle in the foyer and visit the Jain Vishwa Bharati and Resurgence stands. With permission, we placed some Vegan Society flyers on the stands, and many were taken.
Nishma