Jain Journal 1991 04

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

Page 50

Report on the First National Prakrit
Conference, Bangalore
Prakrit Conference :
The Prakrit Jnanabharthi Education Trust, Bangalore, has sponsored and organised the First National Prakrit Conference at Bangalore on 8th and 9th December, 1990. The Hon'ble Justice S. S. Venkataramaiah (Former Chief Justice of India) inaugurated the conference and said that Prakrit language and literature should be honoured and studied by the people of India for a proper knowledge of the culture and values of ancient time. Dr. A. M. Ghatge, eminent indologist, chaired the conference and explained the significance of Prakrit studies from the linguistic, literary and philosophical points of view. About 70 Prakrit writers, scholars, teachers, research-fellows and journalists assembled in this conference for the first time and papers were presented in Hindi, English and Kannada languages. Dr. Prem Suman Jain, Executive Director of the conference, explained the central idea and programme of the conference in his Prakrit speech. Swami Bhattaraka Charukeerthy, Shravanabelagola, Chairman of the Trust, released the souvenir Prakrit Bharati' of the conference and the Mapa. ging Trustee Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah welcomed the participants and guests in his scholarly Kannada and English speech. Shri D. Surendra Kumar Hegde inaugurated the Prakrit Book Exhibition arranged for this occasion,
Prakrit Awards :
On the occasion of this conference the "Prakrit Jnanabharthi Award 1990" was presented by Shri D. Veerendra Hegde, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthal, to the following 10 eminent Prakrit scholars : Dr. J. C. Jain, Pt. Dalsukh Malvania, Pt. Phoolchand Sidhantashastri, Dr. Nathmal Tatia, Dr. Raja Ram Jain, Dr. K. R. Chandra, Dr. B. K. Khadabadi, Dr. M. D. Vasanthraj, Dr. J. C. Sikdar and Dr. H. C. Bhayani. Swasti Shri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka presided over the award giving function and announced that this award will be presented every year to eminent Prakrit scholars.