Pathik 2003 Vol 43 Ank 10 11 12

SR No.: 535516
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhartiben Shelat, Subhash Bramhabhatt
Publisher: Mansingji Barad Smarak Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 168
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Pathik, & India
File Size: 11 MB

Page 34

Dr. Ziyaud-Din A. Desai - A Great Scholar
P. V. Janardhanan*
Some people are born great, but some achieve greatness by their exceptional work. One of such great personalities was Dr. Ziyaud-Din A. Desai.
Born in Dhanduka, District Ahmedabad (Gujarat), on 17th May, 1925, Dr. Ziyaud-Din, son of Abdul Hayy Desai, received his higher education from Bombay University. He was Government Merit Scholar and Government Special Scholar at the secondary and university levels. His academic career has been frequently punctuated with a number of scholarships, awards and prizes. He had a brilliant academic career by obtaining First Class First in B.A. (Hons.), Persian (Principal) and Urdu (Subordinate) from Bombay University, Bombay in 1946. He repeated his performance in the same University and obtained his Doctorate Degree in Persian with Credit (Tahsin) from the Faculty of Arts, Tehram University, Tehran (Iran) for his thesis entitled "Life and Works of Faidi with special reference to Nal-Daman (Nala-Damayanti)". Many distinctions and titles galored him, such as Chancellors Medal, Jaffer Cassum Moosa Gold Medal, Gujarat Urdu Academy Gaurav Puraskar, Dr.L.P. Tessitori Gold Medal, Sanskar Award, etc. Honours came to Dr. Desai from many quarters. He was honoured with Tamra Patra by the Epigraphical Society of India in 1982 and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Prize for Research and Critical Studies from Ghalib Institute, New Delhi, in 1999. In recognition of his countless contribution as an academician and as a scholar and outstanding service to Persian language and literature, the Government of India honoured him with President Award in 1983.
Dr. Desai started his service career as Lectuarer in Persian, Government College, Ahmedabad, Bombay and Rajkot between 1947-1953. He was selected by Government of India, Archaeological Survey of India, as Assistant Superintendent for Epigraphy in 1953 to head the Epigraphy (Arabic & Persian) Branch. Later on, he was elevated to the post of Superintendent (now Superintending Epigraphist) for Arabic & Persian Inscriptions in 1961. He became Director (Epigraphy) in 1977 to head the Nagpur and Mysore Epigraphy branches of the Archaeological Survey of India. He laid down office on the afternoon of 31st May 1983 on attaining the age of superannuation, at 58 years, and settled at Ahmedabad (Gujarat) to lead the retired life. After retirement, Dr. Desai worked for ICHR projects under Senior Fellowship programme. He was awarded this fellowship thrice by the ICHR between 1983-1992. The projects entitled "A Topographical List of Arabic, Persian and Urdu Inscriptions of South India", "Arabic, Persian and Urdu Inscriptions of Western India-A Topographical List" and "English Translation of Dhakhiratul-khawanin of Shaikh Farid Bhakkari" (in
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Aulas - 8445-2410122412042, 2003 • 24