Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology
Organized by
Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi
IN COLLABORATION WITH
National Mission for Manuscripts, IGNCA, New Delhi
(from 20th December 2009 to 10"' January. 2010)
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| Dr. Balaji |
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| Mr. N. P. Jain presents momento to Prof. R. V. Tripathi |
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| Mrs. Vasudha Jain |
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| Prof. G. C. Tripathi |
The Inaugural Function of All India workshop on Manuscriptology & Palaeography was held on 20th December, 2009. It was started with Saraswati Vandana and floral presentation to the Chief Guests Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, Prof. Gaya Charan Tripathi, Advisor, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi and Dr. Vijay Shankar Shukla, Director, National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi.
Mr. N.P. Jain, Vice Chairman of the Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology introduced and welcomed the guests, scholars and students. Dr. J. B. Shah, Director of L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad and Vice Chairman of BLII introduced various activities being held at the B. L. Institute and also explained about its origin and development. He gave details about the Vijay Vallabh Smarak Complex under the aegis of which this Institute is functioning. He mentioned about the contribution of Muni Punyavijayji, Muni Jinvijdyji and Munishri Jumbuvijayji Maharaj. He especially mentioned about great saint scholars i.e. Acharya Vijayvallabh Suri and Sadhavi Mrigavatiji Maharaj who were instrumental in the development of the Smarak Complex and the BLII as per advice of her Guru Vijay Vallabh Suriji. She was very particular about the development of the Jain Culture and its relations with the Indian culture in whole. She was particular about the Architectural style and the development of temple architecture. She was more particular about the publication of the manuscripts which were lying in the Bhandars of Pakistan and that is the reason she emphasized on the need of Prakrit study, and with the result, every year, the B. L. Institute is organizing three- week long Summer School Course for the last 21 years. The above Workshop is an idea which earlier she envisaged; and now has taken the real shape and we hope, we will continue such workshops, hopefully, every year to come.
Dr. Vijay Shankar Shukla explained the significance of this Workshop and the entire Project of NMM. He explained that there are 50 lakh manuscripts all over India and he has been able to get proper information and record of only 28 lakh manuscripts, so, there is lot to do in this field. He further explained that he will be able to list out the manuscripts which are available in India in various Bhandars. He mentioned the name of Dr.(Mrs.) Kapila Vatsyayan on behalf of the National Mission for Manuscripts - IGNCA who envisaged this great idea.
Prof. G. C. Tripathi explained the importance of Prakrit language and Apabhransh and their manuscripts which have been highly neglected and indeed, are essential from the historical and grammatical point of view. The study of these dialects has been neglected by the Indian Universities. He further explained that documentation of these manuscripts by NMM is essential and also stressed the need of information about the manuscripts which are in private collection where NMM has not reached. He explained the problems with regard to editing of these texts since they have been written by oral tradition and there are different scripts. So, there is a need of scholars who can study these dialects and scripts etc.
Dr. Radhavallabh Tripathi mentioned that India has not yet been able to do proper work with regard to manuscript collection from various Bhandars and it is only now that NMM has started this great task under IGNCA for which credit goes to IGNCA and its former Member Secretary Dr. Mrs. Kapila Vatsyayan. He also mentioned that lakhs of manuscripts have been purchased from India by various libraries of the world. He emphasized the need for editing of the manuscripts since it can change the history of the world; and he cited an example also like the translation of DARA SHIKOH in Arabian texts.
Lastly, the Dy. Chairman of the B. L. Institute, Group Captain V. K. Jain accorded the Vote of Thanks and invited the guests for Lunch. Dr. Balaji Ganorkar, Director of the Institute organized and conducted the whole program.