Author: S P Pandey

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Three Day National Seminar on ‘Historical & Socio-cultural Significance of Jaina Inscriptions

26th October, 2018

An inaugural Function of three Day National Seminar was held at Parshwanath Vidyapeeth. Prof. C D Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak was the Chief Guest and Prof. Maheshwari Prasad, Former National Professor National Archives, New Delhi presided over the function. Sh. D R Bhansali and Sh. Indrabhooti Barar was the Guest of Honour. On this occasion Prof. Sagarmal Jain and Prof. Phoolchand Jain Premi was felicitated for being conferred President Award 20017 and 1018 respectively for their significant contribution to the Prakrit Language.

This seminar run for all three days from 26th October to 28th October 2018 in which more than 25 outstation scholars from different part of the country and more than 20 local scholars discussed the theme of the seminar in length. The seminar was sponsored by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

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Gujarat University Recognition

Parshwanath Vidyapeeth got recognized by Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
as its External Research Centre
.
Under a MOU signed on 16th August 2018 by Parshwanath Vidyapeeth & Gujarat University now Parhswnath Vidyapeeth has been recognized by Gujarat University as its External Centre. Parshwanath Vidyapeeth is already recognized as an External Research Centre of Banaras Hindu University. It is also recognized by Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Dept. of Science and Technology, Government of India for conducting research.

This recognition as an External Research centre from Gujarat University is special in many aspects as the MOU is signed by Gujarat University to work in collaboration with Parshwanath Vidyapeeth for various joint academic programms. The earlier two recognitions from BHU and SIRO were confined to the area of Research only but this recognition allows Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, additional to research, to have collaborative research programmes, Post Graduation programme, in organizing Seminar and Workshops, vocational courses and reciprocal faculty exchange programme etc with Gujarat University.
The salient features of MOU between Parshwanath Vidyapeeth and Gujarat University are as follows:

  1. The MOU is being executed to further the common interests for both organizations:
    1. Both the organizations will collaborate on developing a joint academic and research co-operation in the field of Indology in general and Jainology in particular.
    2. Both the Institutions will define a mechanism to promote study and research in ‘’Prakrit & Jaina Studies’’ and will also impart vocational and skill-oriented training and other programs so as to benefit both, the students and staff of each organizations.
    3. Will promote appropriate joint research projects and joint courses of study, with particular emphasis on Jainism.
    4. Will encourage students and staff exchange in the host institution for a short period on invitation by the host Institution under joint collaboration program.
    5. The teachers of one organization will visit the other institution for a short period on invitation by the host Institution under joint collaboration program.
    6. Academic members of staff and other personnel of one partner Institution may spend limited periods not normally exceeding 25 days in a year at a time for the purpose of implementation of joint tasks within the areas of co-operation.
  2. Under Faculties Exchange Programme the host Institution will bear the cost of travel and same that will be reimbursed for the concerned faculty member visiting the Institutions under Faculty Exchange Programme.
  3. Exchange Programme will be accorded the rights and privileges of the teachers in the host Institution in accordance with the terms and conditions relevant to the host organization.
  4. The aim of the MOU shall be to achieve a broad balance in the respective contributions and benefits of the collaboration, and this shall be subject to periodic review by both Universities/Institutions.
  5. The host Institution agrees to assist in the seeking appropriate accommodation, and to supply work space, library and technical facilities as appropriate.
  6. The faculty / technical personnel will be encouraged to deliver lectures/ invitation lectures and talks in the organization.
  7. In order to promote the academic and research in the areas of Jainology and Prakrit Studies both the Institutions will agree to hold/conduct, Joint conference/workshops/training programs whenever feasible as a national event.
  8. The faculty member selected by both the Institutions individually will act as liaison officer between the Institute and the University.
  9. Under this agreement, the Gujarat University, shall accord recognition to Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi as an External Research Centre of the University and allow students enrolled at Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi to be registered under the joint Ph.D. programme with one of the guides from Parshwanath Vidyapeeth. At successful completion of the course and examination and viva-voce, the successful student shall e awarded Ph. D./D.Litt degree by the Gujarat University.
  10. This agreement will take effect from the date of its signing and shall be initially valid for 10 years from the date unless sooner terminated, revoked or modified by mutual written agreement between the Parties, and may be extended by the mutual consent. Either party may terminate the Agreement at any time during the term by the providing three months written notice to the other parties.

The University and the Institute hereby agree the implementation of collaborative research programmes /projects/ thesis/ vocational courses etc. together in both letter and spirit.

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Presidential Awards 2017 to Prof. Sagarmal Jain, Former Director, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth

Prof. Sagarmal Jain, Former Director of Parshwanath Vidyapeeth got conferred Presidential Award for PRAKRIT LANGUAGE for the year 2017.

On 15th August, 2018, the Ministry of Human Resource & Development, Govt. of India announced the name of the recipient of Presidential Awards for PRAKRIT LANGUAGE for the year 2017. This year Prof. Sagarmal Jain, Former Director Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Founder Director of Prachya Vidyapeeth, Shajapur (MP) and a great scholar of Jainism has been awarded Presidential Award 2017 for his significant contribution to Prakrit Language and Literature.
Prof. Sagarmal Jain is a great scholar of Jainism. Very noble, polite and a man of integrity by nature, Prof. Sagarmal Jain has got depth and insight into Jaina Philosophy. Like Pt. Dalsukh Malvania, he is open for modern interpretation of a traditional Jaina Philosophy. Prof. Jain was born at Shajapur (M P) on 22nd February, 1932. His father Sh. Rajmalji Jain and mother Smt. Gangabai were of religious minded. From the childhood Prof. Jain had blessings of Jaina saints so his development and growth was under the very religious atmosphere. Up to High school, his schooling was done at Shajapur. After doing his High school, he joined his family business of Sarafa at Shajapur. At the age of seventeen, he was married with Smt. Kamala Jain. In 1925, he joined Sahitya Sammelana, Prayaga and passed Vyapar-visharad examination. In 1954 he passed Sahitya Ratna in Artha-shastra. In 1957 he passed his Intermediate exam in commerce. In 1958 he took leading role in opening Balkrishna Mahavidyalaya at Shajapur and passed his B A from this college. In 1961 he passed his M A from Christian College, Indore. He was appointed as a lecturer first time in Maha Kaushal Vidyalaya, Jabalpur. Then in 1967 he was transferred to Government Kala Evam Vanijya Vibhag, Indore. Then in 1968, he took over as head of the Philosophy Dept. in Hamidia College, Bhopal. In 1969 he completed his thesis on ‘Jaina Bauddha aura Geeta ke Achara Darshano ka Tulanatmaka Adhyayana’. In 1979, after recommendation of Pt. Dalsukh Malvania he joined Parshwanath Vidyapeeth (then P V Research Institute) as a Director.

At Parshwanath Vidyapeeth: During his tenure as a Director at Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, he made a tremendous progress in academic as well as administrative field. He created a vast Jaina literature by his authorship, translation dedication towards study of Jainism. He got expertise in Jainism and Prakrit Studies. He got constructed many more premises in the campus, boosted the speed of publication and guided more than 50 students for their Ph. D. It has all accomplished due to his dedication and hard work. Many Sdhu-Sadhvis studied under his supervision at Parshwanath Vidyapeeth. As a Director of Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, he visited several foreign countries. He visited U S A in 1985 to deliver few lectures on Paryushan. In 1993, he was invited as a scholar of Jainism in Parliament of World Religion which was held in Chicago. He visited JAFNA in 1996 and many more countries like Rale, Washington, Finland San Francisko and Los Angeles to deliver lectures on Jainism.
He was General Secretary at Managing Committee of Parshwanath Vidyapeeth from 2001 -2009.

Award and Accolades:
1. On his work on Ph. D. he got Pradeep Kumar Rampuria Award in 1987.
He was awarded Hasti Smriti Puraskara by Samyag-jnana-pracharak- mandal Jaipur in 1994.
He was awarded most prestigious Award from the President of India, 2017 for his contribution to Prakrit Studies.

His Back Journey to Shajapur:
After spending 20 years as a Director of Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, he got retired in 1997. At Shajapur he established a Prachya Vidyapeeth working in the area of Research in Jainism. More than 16 Sadhu-Sadhvis got their Ph. D. under his supervision from Jaina Vishwa Bharati and Vikram University which recognizes Prachya Vidyapeeth, Shajapur as their external Research Centre. He has got a good library of Jainism and still at the age of 86, he works there.

Academic Works: He authored more than 34 books and booklets, wrote Introduction for 17 Books, edited 30,000 pages 0f 78 books in the form of books and many more articles and Monographs.Prof. Phoolchandra Jain as born on 12th July, 1948 at Dalapatpur, District Sagar (MP). His father Singhai Nemichand Jain and mother Udyeti Bai were religious person. After his primary education he did Jaina Dharma Visharada from Katni. Then he came to Syadvad Mahavidyalaya, Varanasi and passed his Siddhanta-shastri and Achary Examination. He did his M A from Dept. of Sanskrit, BHU with Jaina Philosophy. He passed his Prakritacharya from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. In 1977 he was enrolled at Parshwanath Vidyapeeth for Ph. D. and completed his Ph. D. on ‘Mulachara ka Samikshatmaka Adhyayan’ in 1977. He taught Prakrit at Jaina Vishwa Bharati from 1976-1979. He joined as a lecturer and head to Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in 1979. He got retired in 2013 from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University. After, he was Director of B L Institute of Indology for two years. Prof. Jain has got many awards based on his academic works.

Parshwanath Vidyapeeth congratulates Prof. Jain for this great achievement. We really feel proud as he has been Ph. D. student of the Institute.