New Delhi
On March 14, the Ministry of Minority Affairs in New Delhi greenlit several projects for religious and cultural studies among minority groups in universities across India. This move, in line with the ethos of ‘Virasat Se Vikas’ (progress through heritage) and ‘Virasat Se Samvardhan’ (prosperity through heritage), draws inspiration from Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Panch Pran’ (five pledges). These pledges advocate for advancing towards a developed India, eliminating remnants of servitude, embracing pride in our legacy, fortifying national unity, and reinforcing citizens’ duties towards the nation.
The Ministry stated that it approved a fund of ₹25 crore for the establishment of the Centre of Gurumukhi Script at Khalsa College, University of Delhi. This decision reflects the growing demand and necessity to revive Gurumukhi language, not only as an academic subject but also to safeguard the heritage and culture of the minority community.
The Ministry has sanctioned the University of Delhi’s proposal to establish the ‘Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies’ at an estimated cost of around ₹35 crore, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram and ‘Buddhist Development Plan’.
Additionally, funds amounting to ₹40 crore have been allocated for the establishment of the Centre of Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat University. This center aims to provide academic support for the development of apabhramsha and Prakrit languages of Jainism within the university. It is designed to foster collaboration between the university and the Ministry, thereby expanding educational opportunities for minority communities in India in the field of Jain studies.
The Ministry has given the green light to a project for Infrastructural Development at the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS), estimating a cost of ₹40 crore. This initiative aims to bolster infrastructure related to Buddhist development, foster academic collaboration, promote research, preserve languages, and facilitate the translation of transcripts for the Buddhist population. The overarching goal is to elevate CIHCS into a key knowledge partner concerning matters related to the Buddhist Development Plan in the Himalayan and northeastern regions of India.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has sanctioned financial assistance of ₹25 crores for the establishment of a Centre for Jain Studies at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya’s Indore Campus. The project’s main objectives include the preservation and conservation of Jain culture through the digitization of Jain manuscripts, disseminating knowledge about Jain traditions and customs, and fostering interdisciplinary research on Jain literature.
