In line with this initiative, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore, hosted a National Seminar on “Jainism and Indian Knowledge System”, marking the launch of its Centre for Jain Studies. The Centre has been approved at a cost of ₹27.16 crore under PMJVK and aims to integrate modern research techniques with traditional knowledge.
The seminar was attended by Shri Inder Singh Parmar, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, and Shri Ram Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. The event highlighted the importance of promoting Indian philosophical traditions and classical studies through structured academic interventions.
During his visit, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar toured the DAVV campus and interacted with faculty members. He urged the university to develop the Centre for Jain Studies as a global hub for research, emphasizing the use of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to digitize, document, and disseminate heritage knowledge. This approach aims to make ancient manuscripts and traditional learning accessible to scholars worldwide.
The Ministry has already established similar Centres of Excellence at the University of Mumbai for Pali, Prakrit, and Avesta Pahlavi studies, and at Gujarat University for Prakrit languages. These centres facilitate advanced research, manuscript translation and digitization, and integration of traditional knowledge into modern pedagogy, strengthening India’s intellectual and cultural heritage.
Through these initiatives, the Ministry of Minority Affairs seeks to safeguard the country’s rich linguistic diversity, promote classical learning, and enhance global understanding of India’s heritage. The Centres also aim to support academic collaborations, cultural research, and the development of educational resources for students and scholars nationwide.
By leveraging technology and fostering research in classical languages, the government envisions a modern framework for preserving ancient knowledge while nurturing intellectual growth across communities.
