JVB London - Double First - Function To Honour Samani Mangal Pragya & Samani Pratibha Pragya

Jain Vishva Bharati London achieved a “Double First” on 21st July 2007 when a function to honour Dr Samani Mangal Pragya and Samani Pratibha Pragya was held at the Sayer Centre. Dr Samani Mangal Pragyaji is the first Samani to hold the post of the vice chancellor of a university whereas Samani Pratibha Pragyaji is the first Samani to complete a postgraduate degree in a world-class university in the west.

In her keynote address on the theme of “New era in Jain education”, Dr Samani Mangal Pragyaji reminded the audience that there are four steps of knowledge viz., information, intellect, intuition and self-realisation. She stated that the motto of the Jain Vishva Bharati University is “Nanassa Sarmayaro” -“Essence of knowledge is conduct.“ These are the two sides of a coin and it is with this ethos Jain Vishva Bharati University in Ladnun, Rajasthan wishes to spread its wings to prospective students in the west. Amongst the audience was Dr Peter Flugel, Director of the Centre of Jain Studies at SOAS, University of London who stated during the programme that JVB University is the only one of its kind in the world. Dr Samani Mangal Pragyaji stated that the dream of Gurudev Tulsi and his Yuvacharya at that time, Acharya Mahapragya to establish a Jain university has been fulfilled. With the help of power point presentation, further background information on the university’s various departments, degree courses, distance-learning programme, etc was given to the audience.

The programme started with the recitation of “Maglacharan” by all the six Samanijs. Shree Kaushik Shah recited a welcome song with his usual gusto, which had been composed by Samani Sanmati Pragyaji. Chairman of JVB London, Shree Manickji Choraria in his address stated that young Jains in the west are asking searching questions on Jain philosophy and are not prepared to become blind followers.The permanent presence of Samanijis here at the Sayer Centre is an ideal opportunity for JVB London to resolve their questions and to encourage them to participate in various activities.

Smt Pushpaji Banthia on behalf of JVB London Women’s Wing welcomed Dr Samani Mangal Pragya and Samani Pratibha Pragya.

In her address, Samani Pratibha Pragyaji thanked everyone who was directly and indirectly associated with her MA in religious studies course at School of Oriental and African Studies. She formally graduated at SOAS on Thursday, 19th July 2007. It is to be noted that Samani Pratibha Pragya laid the foundations of JVB London over three years ago from a modest house in Oxgate Gardens. Smt Pushpaji Jain recited a poem she had composed congratulating Samani Pratibha Pragyaji.

Earlier in the programme the audience were given a taste of the old system of “news bombardment” by Samani Prasanna Pragya in the guise of “JVB London Radio.“ She was assisted by her correspondents Samani Amit Pragya, Samani Manan Pragya and Samani Vishad Pragya who “reported” about JVB London Centre’s various activities and also ventured to talk about its future plans.

In her formal address of welcome to Dr Samani Mangal Pragya and Samani Pratibha Pragya, Samani Prasanna Pragya as head of JVB London Centre, congratulated both the Samanijis on their achievements. She said to Dr Samani Mangal Pragya that London could become a new beacon of Jain education in the west. Samani Manan Pragya in a poem composed by her, praised in her melodious voice the two Samanijis and reiterated the importance of education. Samani Prasanna Pragya on behalf of all the four Samanijs based in London, bearing in mind the restraint of their order, gave items of everyday usage as gifts to the two Samanijis.

Shree Pandit Dinesh recited a spiritual poem on the theme of soul, “Aayen Aayen Hum Aayen, Apane Ghar Bheetar Aayen”composed by Late Gurudev Tulsi.

In conclusion, on behalf of Jain Vishva Bharati London I thanked Smt Rekhaji Choraria, the compere of the programme. I also thanked the representatives of various Jain organisations and other members of the audience for attending the function.

Light refreshments were served after the end programme, which was attended by over 180 persons.