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Speakers
Dr. Kumarpal Desai is a PadmaShri honoree by the Government of India, and is Dean of Faculty of Arts at Gujarat University. He has been a creative writer and speaker on Jainism for the last forty years. He has authored more than hundred books and has earned world-wide fame for his contribution to Jainism in the fields of literature, journalism, education, philosophy, culture and social service. He represented India at the Parliament of World Religions in 1993 and 1999. His awards included: (1) Ten Outstanding Personality of India, (2) Jain Jyotirdhar Award, (3) JAINA President's Special Award, (4) "Jain Ratna Award" by Prime Minister of India. His advocacy led to the inauguration of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi Chowk in the heart of Ahmedabad City in 2012.
Dr. Mahaveer Shastri is an assistant professor of Prakrit and Jain Studies at University of Sholapur, India. His specialties include research in Prakrit & Sanskrit Languages, Mathematical Astrology, Scientific Vastu, Reading of Old Manuscripts, and Comparative Study of Philosophy. He has conducted several meditation programs in India, Australia, Canada and Nepal. He was a Pratishthachharya in the Pratishthapana and Vishwashanti Mahayadnya of 32 temples situated in many temples in India, and has also taught primary knowledge of Scientific Vastu, Jyotish and Ancient Indian languages to Digambar, Shwetamber, Sthanakwasi Munis and Vaidik Sadhus. He is also presently involved with interpretation and preser vation of hundreds of ancient Jain Prakrit manuscripts in Moodbidri and Satara.
Dr. Mehool H. Sanghrajka is the founder and Chief Executive of Learning Possibilities Group, a global leader in e-learning platforms and communities. He holds a bachelor's degree in business computing, a master's degree in Indian religions from University of London, and a doctorate degree in Jain philosophy from IOU. He is a serial entrepreneur in the fields of education and technology, and has founded many businesses in the United Kingdom and overseas. He is the Education Director of the Institute of Jainology, which promotes scholarly research and awareness about the Jain religion. The IOJ has conceived and developed JAINPedia, the most advanced online Jain Encyclopedia, and digital collection of ancient manuscripts. Dr. Sanghrajka is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and the Institute of Directors, and a Chartered Engineer in Information Technology. He was awarded the 2011 Hind Rattan (Jewel of India) by the Government of India.
Jainism: The Global Impact
