Universal Values of Prakrit Texts

Author(s): Prem Suman Jain
Publisher: Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth and Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan

Page 37

Welcome Speech
Before welcoming you all I offer my most respectful pranams to his Holiness Jagadguru Karmayogi Syadwada Sidhantha Chakravarthi Swastishree Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Mahaswamiji, who is the main force behind this Seminar.
I deem it a great pleasure to welcome Prof R. V. Tripathiji, Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sanstan, New Delhi, who has graciously accepted our invitation to deliver the Inaugural speech. I extend a warm welcome to Prof. Adelheid Mette, Germany, Prof. Robert Zydenbos, Germany and Prof. Nalini Balbir, Paris, who are kind enough to accept our invitation to grace this occassion as Guest Speakers in this Inaugural Session
What a pleasant and memorable day it is! In a Holy and serene place like this. We are at the revered foot of world renowned Gomateshwara Bhagawan Bahubali. The whole place is reverberating with scenic beauty, supreme power and message of peace and non-violence to the entire world. How fortunate we are to be a part of this Holy atmosphere and to participate in this International Prakrit Seminar on 'Universal Values of Ancient Prakrit Texts' organised by Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth, in collaboration with Rashtriya Sanskrit, Sansthan Deemed University, New Delhi, in the Holy presence of Swamiji, which starts from today and extends for two more days.
The National Institute of Prakrit Studies and Research, Shravanabelagola was established and inaugurated by the then President of India during the Maha Masthakabhisheka held in the year 1993. It is the vision of His Holiness Swamiji to develop the Prakrit Institute at National as well as International level. It is the vision of Poojya Swamiji to establish Bahubali Prakrit University and to obtain the status of Deemed to be University to Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth at Shravanbelgola. Poojya Swamiji has already instituted Awards at International, National and State level and conferred Awards to the renowned personalities. Poojya Swamiji has renovated old temples and has built, children hospital apart from a mobile hospital for the surrounding villages. Poojya Swamiji has given more importance to education, is running educational institutions starting from nursery to college level and also Engineering and Polytechnic Colleges. Swamiji is providing well furnished hostels for boys and girls. Arrangements are made for daily worship of all the temples on the two hills and in the town. Swamiji is providing free food for all the devotees. Now there is accommodation for more than 1000 people with modern facilities and also old age home. During 1981, 1993, 2006 world renowned Maha Masthakabhisheka of Bhagawan Bahubali were celebrated under Holy presence and efficient guidance.
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