Deccan Herald
Prakrit Seminar from October 12, 2010
Hassan, Oct 8, DHNS
A three-day international seminar on Prakrit jointly organised by Delhi-based ‘Sanskrit Samsthan’ and ‘Bahubali Prakrith Vidyapeeth’ will be held at Srikshetra Shravanabelagola in Hassan district from from October 12 to 14.
Disclosing this at a news conference here on Friday, Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji said experts would share their experience in conducting research on Prakrit language. As many as 22 noted research scholars who are doing research in universities worldwide about this ancient language and about 18 scholars besides, 80 research scholars in Sanskrit, philosophy and prakrit, will be participating. Progress of research on the language would be deliberated during the seminar.
On October 12, National Sanskrit Sansthan Vice-Chancellor Prof R.V. Tripathi will inaugurate the seminar. Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji will deliver the keynote address; Oxford University Professor Marcus Banks and Canada’s Christopher Emerich will be the chief guests.
The valedictory of the seminar will be held on October14. Prakrit Lexicographer and Editor R.P. Poddar will be chief guest. Eminent Kannada Research School Hampa Nagarajaiah will preside.
Prize distribution
On October 14, ‘Prakruth Gnana Bharathi International Awards’ instituted by Bahubali Prakruth Vidya Peetha, would be presented to persons who have made rich contribution for the growth of Prakrit language for the year 2007, 2008 and 2009. This award will be presented by Noida-based Professor Rajaram Jain, Dr. Nalini Balbir from Paris and Dr. Adelheid Mette from Germany. A cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh and citation would be given to each awardee. Scholar Prem Suman Jain and others were present.
Prakrit Varsity
Srikshethra Shravanabelagola Seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji urged the State Government to establish a separate university for the studies in Prakrit language. It would help in promotion of that language on lines of Sanskrit University. Valuable information was available in this language if proper study was conducted. Infact, University of Mysore and other varsities have established study centres for this language, but the research is not satisfactory.
More than 700 manuscripts are available in Prakrit and it should be translated to other languages for the benefit of future generation.