Gujarat Varnacular Societyno Itihas Part 03

Author(s): Hiralal Tribhuvandas Parekh
Publisher: Hiralal Tribhuvandas Parekh

Page 241

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7. Thereafter in co-operation with the Educa. tion Department the Society undertook preparation of useful books. The “Kavyadohan” (cream of Poetry ) was complied by its Assistant Secretary, the late Kavi Dalpatram Dahyabhai, C. I. E. for the Department of Public Instruction. A Gujarati Grammar text book was also prepared with the help of Government for the Society by Rev. Mr. J. V. S. Taylor, which is even now a good text book. The Society also further undertook the preparation of a good Gujarati Dictionary and this attempt has progressed well upto now though it has had its l ull on account of various difficulties. The work is over but its revision is now well in hand and is expected to progress satisfactorily with co-operation of Government and Gujarati scholars. It is however expected that a work of such importance and comprehensive magnitude will take long years to be completed. It is also besides a very costly undertaking.
8. At its inception, the work of Society was carried on by Europeans who were ardent lovers of the Vernacular and earnestly wished for spread of Education and useful knowledge among the children of the soil. Besides Hon. Mr. Forbes who founded the Society it had the services of Mr. T. B. Curtis as Hon. Secretary and the active co-operation of Sir Theodore C. Hope, Rev. Mr. J. V. S. Taylor, Sir F. S. P. Lely, Mr. E. Giles and many others.
9. As spread of education and knowledge by means of class-books, scholarships etc., was the object of the Society it was deemed necessary to have it registered as a corporate body so that it could act