News on Jainism around the World
Summary
This news section reports on recent activities within the Jain academic community. It opens with an account of an International Seminar on Umāsvāti and His Works, held by the Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology in Delhi on 4–6 January 1999. The seminar attracted Indian and foreign scholars and featured 22 papers and three plenary sessions on diverse aspects of Umāsvāti. Speakers stressed the need for a thorough study of his writings and proposed topics such as annotated bibliographies, commentaries on the Tattvārtha‑sūtra and analyses of his influence on later writers. Another item covers Prakrit language courses and an award ceremony recognising excellence in Prakrit studies. Six prizes were presented to top students, and the article highlights speeches advocating the preservation of Prakrit and Sanskrit as essential components of India’s cultural heritage. The section also reports that the fourth annual Ācārya Hemacandra Sūri Prize for 1998 was awarded to Professor A.M. Ghatage for his contributions to Prakrit language and literature. The award ceremony was attended by prominent academics and members of the Jain community. Overall, the news entries illustrate the vibrancy of contemporary Jain scholarship and the collaborative efforts of institutions and individuals to promote research and education.
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Conclusion
The news section provides a snapshot of current scholarly and cultural activities in the Jain community. By reporting on seminars, language courses, awards and public speeches, it underscores the ongoing vitality of Jain studies and highlights collaborative efforts to preserve languages and disseminate knowledge.