Jain Journal 1973 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 43

Report on the Fifth Seminar on
Prakrit Studies at Ahmedabad
With the aid of the University Grants Commission a Seminar on Prakrit Studies was organised by the Prakrit Department of the School of Languages, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad from March 22 to March 25, 1973. Besides local perticipants thirty three scholars from various other Universities attended the Seminar. The papers were divided under the five heads namely (1) Literary History and Culture, (2) Importance of Prakrit and Teaching of Prakrit, (3) Philosophy and Religion, (4) Prakrit Language and (5) Prakrit Literature.
Besides the paper reading and discussions two extension lectures pertaining to 'Literary and Philosophical Value of Prakrit Studies' and 'Sounds and Spellings in Prakrits' were delivered by Dr. A. N. Upadhye (Department of Prakrit and Jainology, Mysore University, Mysore) and Dr. P. B. Pandit (Head of the Department of Linguistics, Delhi University, Delhi) respectively.
The Seminar was inaugurated by Pandit Sukhlalji, a veteran philosopher-scholar. In his address he stressed the importance of Prakrit Studies and advised all concerned to undertake a vigorous programme of studying and publishing Prakrit texts, the contents of which were highly important from the point of view of Indian history and culture.
A list of the papers read session-wise as well as the names of the participants is given below :