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SILVER MEDAL PRESENTED IN MEMORY OF A GREAT SANSKRIT SCHOLAR

PANDIT SHYAMAJI KRISHNAVARMA



Following the magnificent launch of Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma Silver Medal in
presence of many French Indologist, professors, philosophers and distinguished
guests on 7th June 2006 at College de France Surbonne University, Paris, Hindu
Swatantryavir Smruti Sansthanam has succeeded in establishing the Silver Medal
at Oxford Centre of Hindu Studies, the world�?Ts leading centre for Hindu
Studies, recognised by Oxford University.



The existence of the master project of Indian Studies in form of �?oIndian
Institute�?�, established in 1883 at Oxford University by Professor
Monier-Williams, the mentor of Pandit Shyamaji, came to the end after the
independence of India 1947. The treasures of Indian scriptures, precious and
rare books, manuscript and other collections were dispersed later and Indian
Institute was merged to newly created Oriental Institute. After fifty years, the
legacy Monier-Williams�?T Indian Institute was independently revived in the
reformed institution named �?oOxford Centre Of Hindu Studies�?� known as OCHS
in short, under the patronage of Mr Alfred Ford, the great-grandson of Henry
Ford, who established the world famous ford AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES in USA and
around the worlds. OCHS is established with the wider aim of the studies of
Hindu culture, religion, language, literature, scriptures, philosophy, history,
arts and Hindu Traditions maintaining the highest and the purest standard of
integrity, originality and par-excellence. Over the years, OCHS has proved
itself and achieved the status of recognition from Oxford University. It would
be a great satisfaction and pleasure to the departed souls of Sir
MONIER-WILLIAMS and his assistant Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma seeing the Indian
Institute revived in the new form of OCHS at Oxford University.







Well ahead of Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma�?Ts 151st Birth Anniversary
Celebration next year, Hindu Swatantryavir Smruti Sansthanam has achieved its
goal with generous support of The Board of Governors and Shri Shaunakarishi
Dasji, the director of OCHS to establish Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma Silver
Medal at Oxford. The OCHS has done a great honout to Pandit Shyamaji
Krishnavarma, the first Indian lecturer of Sanskrit at Oxford university, by
accepting the proposal of establishing Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma Silver
Medal.



Shri Shaunak Rishi Dasji, the director of OCHS delivered introductory speech on
life, work and contribution of Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma and introduced the
recipient of the award, Shri (Dr) Kiyokazu Okita and he announced him to be the
winner of Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma Silver Medal for academic year
1905-1906. Shri Hemantkumar Gajanan Padhya, the founder of Hindu Swatantryavir
Smruti Sansthanam, traditionally honoured Shri Kiyokazu with Kutchi Shawl from
Pandit Shyamaji�?Ts native Mandavi and presented him the precious 100gms
Sterling Silver Medal carved with Pandit shyamaji and Goddess Saraswati
portraits with inscription in Sanskrit. Shri (Dr) Kiyokazu Okita is a Doctoral
student from Osaka, Japan. Shri (Dr) Kiyokazu Okita has advanced in his
scholarship, particularly in the study of the Sanskrit and he was recommended
for the award by the committee. The presentation was held at the Annual Board Of
Governors Dinner in a beautiful Oxford Town Hall on 23rd June 2006. The event
was attended by many prominent Indologist, the governors of OCHS, Academic staff
and doctoral students of Oxford University, His excellency Kamalesh Sharma, The
High Commissioner Of India, and many distinguished personalities. Shrimati (Dr)
Sharmila Bhattachary - ford, the wife of the benefactor of OCHS Mr Alfred Ford
and a governor of OCHS, specially flew from Australia to attend the event and
she was presented with a beautiful portrait of Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarmas by
Shri Hemantkumar Padhya on behalf of Hindu Swatantryavir Smruti Sansthanam.



Pandit Shyamaji Krishnavarma, the disciple of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, had a
long memoir and affinity with Oxford University where he made his name, fame and
carrier. He worked there as an assistant to Sir Monier Monier-Williams, Boden
Professor Of Sanskrit and founder of Indian Institute at Oxford University.
Pandit Shyamaji was also appointed as a lecturer of Sanskrit and oriental
languages at Oxford University for training Indian Civil Servant Candidates. He
was the first Asian to acquire M A from Oxford University. Pandit Shyamaji,
barely at the young age of twenty four, was selected by Secretary of State of
India to represent the learning of his country at Berlin Congress of
Orientalists in 1881, where he read his papers on the subject of �?oSanskrit as
Living Language of India. He was also elected as honorary members of the
prestigious �?oEmpire Club�?� in 1882. Later Pandit Shyamaji established
�?oHerbert Spencer Lectureship�?� in memory of a great British philosopher and
thinker by donating £1000 in 1904.



Dr Ravi Gupta, a keynote speaker at this occasion and one of Oxford
University�?~s youngest D.Phil graduates, delivered the speech titled �?oWho
speaks for us�?� questing the issue relevant to all minority faith communities.
The other highlights of the event were tasteful vegetarian dinner and humorous
jokes delivered by Shri Shaunak Rishi Dasji.










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