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Report of open session (1.12.10) at Kundakunda
Jñānapītha, Indore
During his visit to India after taking over as the 'First Bhagwan Mahavir Professor of Jain Studies' at the Florida International University (FIU) USA, Prof. Nathan Katz visited Indore on December 1, 2010 on the invitation of Kundakunda Jñånapiha research centre (KKJ) of Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidyalaya (University) (DAU).
Prof. Katz graced the Rashtriya Jain Vidya Sangosthi (National Symposium on Jainology) as a distinguished chief guest. The Interaction with him at a specially convened open session of the conference highlighted the promising possibilities of forging mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and exchanges in Jain studies and research with a global perspective.
Prof. Katz elucidated his objective and strategy of Prof. Nathan Katz promoting Jain studies in a western university like the FIU, and was interested in determining how Jain studies could be taught in a manner, that is authentic to the tradition and at the same time relevant to contemporary issues. He felt that through bilateral exchanges with well-known Jain Research Institutes in India, He could promote and coordinate Institutional linkages among universities in North America and Universities in India.
Very succinctly with his background of being professor of Religious studies at the FIU, he had already tried out with encouraging
She alla response introduction of key aspects of Jain philosophy across different faculties of economics, sociology, environmental science, psychology, philosophy and human behaviours. Programs Introducing need and desirability of promoting Ahi'så, Aparigraha and Anekånta had proved popular Addressing Dr. M.K. Pandya, on the Dias Shr. S.K. Jain, Prof. at undergraduate levels. So was the concept of vegetarktis Dr. N.P. Jain
At the open session presided over by Dr. N.P. Jain, former Indian Ambassador to UN, and globally well-known Jaina scholar and lucidly concluded by Dr. Anupam Jain, Executive Director of Kundakunda Jñånapiha proved to be a worthwhile exercise with the erudite expression of views of distinguished Jaina scholars, academicians and thinkers like Prof. G. Kawadia, Head School of Economics of Devi Ahilya University, Dr. Manmath Patni, Management Educationist and nutritionist, Dr. Mahendra Pandya, renowned NRI and social reformer, Mr. Vikas Kawadia post graduate student studying in USA and Er. S.K. Jain, leading Industrialist and social leader.
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, 23 (1-2), 2011
