Proceedings of the Seminar on Prakrit Studies 1973

Author(s): K R Chandra, Dalsukh Malvania, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 40

(xxxi)
Recommendations of the Seminar on Prakrit Studies
At ths earlier Prakrit Seminars the aims, objectives and scope of Prakrit Studies have been clearly formulated in all their important aspects and details. Numerous steps to reorganize the studies in the context of present-day relevance and future requirements have been also suggested and priority plans have been indicated. The present seminar while accepting and stressing all those earlier recommendations, has to make the following specific recommendations to Universities, the University Grants Commission and various other Institutions interested in furthering Parkrit Studies for immediate implementation.
(1) Every University should strengthen its Sanskrit and Prakrit or Pali as well as Modern Indo-Aryan language Depart nents by the addition of a teacher - a reader or a lecturer - specialized in Prakrit, so that the Department both in its research and instructional activities becomes fully efficient.
(2) Some arrangement for training young scholars for editing and text-critical study of works in Prākrit and Apabhramsa is an urgent necessity. It is for U. G. C. to make available sufficient funds for this purpose.
(3) It is urgently needed to institute at various Universities certificate and diploma courses in Middle Indo-Aryan languages (Pāli, Prākrit, Apabhramsa etc.) for graduates of other discipines.
(4) An Advanced Centre of Prakrit Studies be established at an early date.
(5) It is very desirable that with financial support from the U. G. C. certain short-term arrangements like summer schools, workshops etc. be made for training for basic tools and methodology of research in Prakrit. A starting can be made with the following subjects:
(i) Editing of lexicography. (ii) Problems of lexicography.
(iii) A composite programme of teaching classical languages (Sanskrit, Pāli, Prākrit and Apabhramsa),
(iv) A number of doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships for special study of Prakrit and Pali be instituted at select Universities.