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Speech V
Welcome Speech by Sm Lata Bothra
It is our great priviledge to welcome His Excellency the Governor of West Bengal, the honourable guests, audience and the scholars. We welcome the scholars from India and outside who have come to participate in this International Seminar held on the occassion of the 2600th Birth Anniversary of Bhagavān Mahāvīra. We get this opportunity to welcome you to our scholarly cultured state of West Bengal by paying homage to the world's foremost teacher Bhagavān Mahāvīra.
From the earliest time these kinds of discourses have been wellestablished. In the courts of the great emperors like Chandra Gupta the Maurya, Ashoka, Harsavardhana and Akbar these kinds of intellectual discourses were a normal practice. The scholars were respected and honoured by these Emperors. The importance of these discourses is as relevant today as it was at that time, though the time and conditions have changed to a great extend. In this modern age of industrialization, the coming and sitting together of the scholars and debating issues create healthy atmosphere for a sound mind and sound body. It is their duty to confront the consequences of the present situation. The 2600th Birth Anniversary of Bhagavān Mahāvīra and the dawn of the new Millennium along with it the gathering of the scholars is such a great opportunity that it will perhaps not be possible in the near future. So one should take the full use of the advantages offered in this seminar. Lord Bhagavān Mahāvira and the 21st Century is a subject which needs deep study and understanding. I hope that your views on this subject will give us inspiration and new outlook to the youth of today and encourage the society to practise and follow Bhagavān Mahāvīra's principles.
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