Parshvanath Vidyapitha, Varanasi

Parshwanath Vidyapeeth is an institution deserving serious consideration for allocation of funds for its engagement and involvement in higher education, research and publication work based on Jain Canonical works, ancient Indian languages -Apbhransh, onical works, ancient Indian languages -Apbhransh, Prakrit and Sanskrit, and translations of the ancient texts in modern languages. Historical milestones of this institution are briefly presented below: Established in November 1937, at Varanasi adjoining Banaras Hindu University A society under the name "Pujya Sohanlal Jain Dharam Pracharak Samiti" was registered in 1951 to manage the affairs of the institution. In due course under the advise of Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, (who have registered this institute as a Research Institute.), Income Tax Authorities and by the University Grants Commission the name of the Society and the institute were changed to one and only "Parshwanath Vidyapeeth", in 1997. (Annexure # 1A) BHU also recognised the Institute as a research Institute (as per enclosed annexure # 1 ) Finance Ministry was pleased to grant 100% exemption since 1983 in Income Tax to Donors u/s 35 (i) (iii) of the Income Tax Act 1961. (Annexure # 2) It has so far produced 60 Ph.D. and D. Lit. scholars. The institute has been registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs; Government of India for receiving foreign contributions vide their letter dated 13th Dec. 2000 (enclosed as annexure # 3). About 30-40 students study at the institute for their Ph.D. degrees and research theses. The institute at present employs 7 permanent faculty members besides other visiting faculty, supervised by an empowered Academic Council that monitors the quality of work and sets the standards and direction of future research. A list of the members of the managing committee is enclosed as annexure # 5. Prof. Sagarmal Jain, an eminent scholar of Jainism, is the current Honorary Secretary ably assisted by an equally dedicated Prof. Maheshvari Prasad of ancient history stream as the institutes full time Director. The institute publishes a quarterly research journal named - "Shraman", besides this the institute has published nearly 160 books and a number of theses. Facilities at the Campus: Located on a 4 acre, self owned land, in the vicinity of BHU Varanasi, the Institute has a campus offering facilities of a highly specialized library with 32,000 books; over 1000 original manuscripts and reference books of Jain and comparative studies, a conference hall, offices, computers, an art gallery, lecture rooms. The campus also has a guesthouse, separate hostels for male and female students, monks and nuns, residences for the Director and faculty, also a cafe-cum-canteen, besides a museum that is under development. There is also a Meditation Hall. The Vidyapeeth has its own facility for power generation when power outages happen by a dedicated DG set sufficient for the needs of the entire campus. The institute has been visited by many prominent scholars both from within India and abroad and all have praised the work being done by the Institute. ...view more