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Concern over vanishing historical sites
DIRECTOR GENERAL of National Museum (New Delhi), Dr AKVS Reddy, expressed deep concern over fast vanishing sites and treasures of cultural importance due to activities of unwanted elements, which are now going beyond control.
DIRECTOR GENERAL of National Museum (New Delhi), Dr AKVS Reddy, expressed deep concern over fast vanishing sites and treasures of cultural importance due to activities of unwanted elements, which are now going beyond control.
“Laws to prevent them do exist but are now proving ineffective”, observed Dr. Reddy while addressing the inaugural function of a three-day seminar on ‘Buddhist Contribution to Varanasi’ at Jnana-Pravaha, Centre for Cultural Studies and Research in Samne Ghat area here on Tuesday. Jnana-Pravaha, in collaboration with Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (Sarnath) and Acharya Narendra Dev International Research Institute of Buddhist Studies (Lucknow), has organised this three-day seminar.
Delivering the key note address, Prof AK Narain observed that Kashi-Banarasi (not Varanasi, according to him) is a fine meeting point of Shramana and Vedic Culture. “Sarnath has revealed finds related with Shramana Culture and if excavations are taken up in the heart areas of Varanasi like Chouk, Godowlia and Sonarpura etc. more interesting finds throwing light on this aspect can be exposed”, he added.
Director of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Prof GN Samten established the theme of the seminar and said that highest contribution of Buddhism to Varanasi was undoubtedly the ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law-Dharma Chakra Pravartana’, which ultimately ushered a great revolution in the field of Indian Philosophy. “Even disciplines like Indian literature, Art, Grammar, Logic rather Culture in general, bear deep impact of Buddhism”, he added.
Earlier, Dr Kamla Pandeya recited Ganga Struti and Dr. Manju Sundaram rendered Mangalacharan. Managing Trustee of Jnana-Pravaha, Bimla Poddar welcomed the guests whereas joint director, Prof Kamal Giri presented the annual report of the centre. Prof MNP Tiwari of Banaras Hindu University conducted the programme.
Acharya of Jnana-Pravaha Dr. NP Joshi proposed a formal vote of thanks. Dr. Yogendra Singh of Acharya Narendra Dev International Research Institute of Buddhist Studies (Lucknow) also addressed the function.
