27th May 2006 will be a landmark day in the history of the Institute. Honourable Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh launched the catalogue of some 1400 Jain Manuscripts from The British Library’s collection on this day.

The project to create the catalogue was undertaken by the Institute at the instigation of British Library in 1991. Professor Chandrabhal Tripathi, of Berlin University was chosen to lead the project. Unfortunately Professor Tripathi passed away within two years of starting the project. Professor Nalini Balbir of Sorbonne University, Paris who had been assisting Professor Tripathi agreed to undertake the massive task. She was ably assisted by Dr Kanubhai Sheth and Dr Kalpnaben Sheth both from Ahemdabad, India

In 2002, the Institute made a presentation of the project to the then Prime Minister of India, Shree Atal Behari Vajpayee who not only agreed to become the Patron-in-Chief of the Project but also granted a sum of Rs two crore to the project.

The launch of the catalogues is culmination of dedicated work by Prof. Balbir and her team. The Indian Prime Minister has demonstrated his appreciation of the quality of this work by agreeing to launch the Catalogue.

The launch ceremony was held at the prestigious Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. It was attended by of the Honourable Prime Minister, His Excellency the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to India, Sir Michael Arthur, and the Union Minister for Tourism & Culture Smt. Ambika Soni who presided over the function. Jain dignitaries from Delhi and from all over India representing all Jain sects were in attendance together with some Jains from abroad H E The High Commissioner for Uganda was also present. Institute’s Trustees from London and India attended the event.

The program commenced with the recitation of the Namokkar Mantra. The Chairman of the Institute, Shree Ratibhai Chandaria then welcomed the dignitaries and all the invited guests. He went on to highlight the activities leading to the launch event. Click here to see the full text of his speech

Dr Nalini Balbir then took the stage and explained very eloquently the reasons for undertaking such massive research tasks and their usefulness. Click here for the full text of her speech

H E The High Commissioner for the United Kingdom highlighted the growing cooperation between the Governments and peoples of the United Kingdom and India in cultural developments. He cited the example of the Jain catalogue where the Institute of Jainology and the British Library had worked together and that the Institute was also working with the Wellcome Trust and the Bodleian Library at Oxford University to produce catalogues of their collections. He also referred to a recent grant of £50m by the UK Government to assist with the academic research projects in India. He was unequivocal in complimenting Professor Nalini Balbir for the high quality of work produced by her. Click here for the full text of his speech

Hon. Union Minister for Tourism &, Culture Mrs. Ambika Soni who was presiding over the day’s ceremony also spoke about her respect and appreciation of Jain philosophy and how it had helped in creating what we know today as the Indian culture of tolerance and compassion. She spoke of how she was influenced and impressed by Jain compassion in her young age by what she had witnessed in Rajasthan. Jain social workers had called a women’s meeting in a rural area and were taking great pains to explain to the attending women their rights and how to fight for them. Their sheer perseverance in helping these women, majority of whom were totally illiterate and unaware that they could have any rights, left an indelible impression in her mind.

She also spoke of how her Ministry is working to develop methods for recording details of millions of manuscripts spread across India and also developing scholars to catalogue them.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh was presented with the first set of the catalogue, by Dr. Kumarpal Desai, Institute’s Managing Trustee for India. The Prime Minister launched the catalogue formally and then proceeded to deliver his keynote address.

The Prime Minister in his speech talked of the lasting influence Jainism has on Indian civilization. Dr. Singh said that Jainism’s “enduring legacy of non-violence has shaped our approach to life and nature. Its principled stand against a hierarchical caste system inspires us to fight for equality of all even today”.

He said the rational basis of Jainism had contributed to scientific temper and the fight against superstition and blind belief.

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s remarks, the Prime Minister said Jainism represented the highest flight of logic, taking nothing for granted and endeavouring to prove metaphysical truth by challenging the intellect.

He also quoted Nehru’s observation from the Discovery of India that it was Jainism that helped us better appreciate the rights of all living beings.

Commending the Institute of Jainology’s initiative in cataloguing the manuscripts Dr. Singh said that such initiatives will inspire others to undertake similar efforts for re-creation of our history. Please click here for the full text of Dr Manmohan Singh’s speech.

Institute’s Honorary Secretary, Dr. Harshad Sanghrajka then presented vote of thanks to all the dignitaries, guests and all those who had supported the cause of the Institute and assisted in the success of the day’s event. Please click here for the full text of Vote of Thanks.

The Prime Minister, H E The British High Commissioner, and the Union Minister for Tourism & Culture departed after the vote of thanks.

Dr. L M Singhvi, erstwhile Indian High Commissioner to the UK then presented mementoes commemorating the launch ceremony to the authors of the catalogue, Dr. Balbir, Dr. K Sheth & Dr. Mrs. K Sheth.

Dr. Mehool Sanghrajka, the Director of Education at the Institute then presented a short synopsis of what the Institute had achieved in the past and its future plans. In particular, he talked about the digitisation project that will enable a lay person to understand and enjoy the rich heritage of Jain philosophy. He also talked about how the study of Jainism was being introduced in the National curriculum for the primary schools in England and Wales.

All guests were then invited to join the Institute’s Trustees for lunch, and silver coins commemorating the event were distributed. 

Deputy Chairman, Nemu Chandaria of the Institute welcomes
The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh  

 

The Prime Minster being introduced to H E The High Commissioner of Britain
by the Deputy Chairman, Mr Nemu Chandaria

Introduction to VVIP Guests

Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, Mrs Ambika Soni Greeting
Prof Nalini Balbir, Chief Editor, MSS Project