Invitation for veda nidhi symposium

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta

 

All datta devotees all over the world

 

Please find the attached programme from datta peetham mysore and do needful.

please kindly support this type of activities by in all possible ways to

preserve our dharma and vedic culture.

 

Please forward to all of your friends and relatives in datta famly and make

this event a grand success with all of your valuable tremendous efforts.

 

Thanks and regards

 

M.N.R.Gupta

00968 99567914

 

 

 

*SGS Veda Sastra Parishat*

 

Avadhoota Datta Peetham - Mysore

 

* *

 

*Invitation for Veda Nidhi Symposium*

 

*May (17 - 18) 2008*

 

 

 

Respected Patrons!

 

*Pranaam. At the outset, we extend warm **greetings* to all those pious

persons, whose hearts yearn to render some service to our eternal Heritage

in the form of Sacred Vedic Texts. Dedicated People around the globe are

doing their bit of service to *foster, protect and propagate Vedic

Heritage*in different forms including Electronic and Internet media,

with the

blessings of Holy Masters such as Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji and

other great Mahatmas in India and abroad.

 

 

 

This is to inform all of you that, *efforts are on to include all the Vedic

Scripts/ Accents/ Symbols in the set of Unicode*. This could help reading

INDIC scripts in browser, without the requirement of font's installation in

the users' computers. Many scholars of Indology are putting their hearts and

minds towards this goal.

 

 

 

There are alternative patterns of thought, about the utility/ futility of

these efforts among scholars, who are proponents of alternative course of

action, independent of Unicode. At the outset, the *whole idea might seem

abstract/ conceptual or even intangible*. But, we hope to see a new trend/

methodology with scope of betterment in the search/ research in the Vedic

Knowledge Database for better objective understanding.

 

In light of the above mentioned scenario, we are very glad to announce the

conduct of this

 

*Symposium*

 

*on Standardising Vedic Character, Symbol, Accent-marking Scheme*

 

*for Computational Processing*

 

At Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore on 17th and 18th May 2008.

 

 

 

This event is organised as part of *Veda Nidhi* series of Annual Vedic

Programs conducted *in Datta Peetham from 17th to 21st May 2008* on the

occasion of the 66th Birth Day Celebrations of Avadhoota Datta

Peethadhipati, Jagadguru Parama Pujya *Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji*.

This year's program comprises of five important events; 1) *Veda

Examinations* 2) *Veda Nidhi* *Symposium* 3)* Veda Sadas* (Convention) of

Veda Teachers and Pundits 4) *Srouta Ishti (*Vedic Rituals) and 5) *Veda

Vignana Prakasa* – Series of discourses for dissemination of Vedic

Knowledge.

 

 

 

Noted Scholars from both the streams of knowledge (both traditional and

modern spheres) have committed their participation to achieve the common

objective. You are hereby urged to pledge your support to the initiative

undertaken with the Patronage of Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji,

intended to preserve and propagate our Knowledge, Tradition and

Culture by Participating

as delegate in this program and beget the benediction of Aadiguru Dattatreya

Swamy. Jaya Guru Datta.

 

In the service of the Divine

 

Organising Committee

 

Note:

 

1. This Symposium is organised with the Academic support and Intellectual

collaboration of the following esteemed institutions: 1) *Central Institute

for Indian Languages,* Mysore 2) *SV Vedic University*, Tirupati 3) *Maharshi

Sandeepani Rashtreeya Veda Vidya Pratishthan*, Ujjain 4) *Oriental Research

Institute*, Mysore 5)*Sri Parankusam Acharyar Institute for Vedic Studies*,

Bangalore 6) *Sanskrit Department,* KSOU, Mysore 7) *Maharaja Samskruta

Pathasala*, Mysore 8) *Veda Parayana Pratishthanam*, Bangalore

 

 

 

2. Kindly write to sgsvedanidhi for free registration as delegate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Schedule of the Symposium*

 

*17th May 2008 Saturday***

 

*Pre- Inaugural Session for Orientation towards the subject)*

 

*Chair: Dr.Sannidhanam Sudarshana Sarma, VC – SV Vedic

University*

 

*3.00 PM Praarthanam*

 

*3.05 PM Welcome to delegates by Sri N Bhaskara Rao (Convenor) (5

Min)*

 

*3.10 PM Orientation and explanation to Software Professionals and

Pundits about the concept (60 Min)*

 

*4.10 PM Inter Action (30 min.)*

 

*4.40 PM** Tea Break*

 

* *

 

*Session 1*

 

*Chair: **Dr.Uday Narayan Singh, Director Central Institute of

Indian Languages, Mysore***

 

*5.00 PM **Symposium Inauguration by** Chairman (Dr.Uday Narayan

Singh, Director CIIL)*

 

5.05 PM Introductory Speech by *Dr.Sannidhanam Sudarshana Sarma,

VC Vedic University (40 min)***

 

6 PM Presentation - *Road Map to Documentation of Vedic

tradition documents in Indic Languages: Characters, Symbols and Accent

markers – *

 

*Unicode perspective - Dr.B.V.Venkatakrishna Sastry (45 min)*

 

*(Hindu University of America/ International Sanskrit Research Academy)*

 

*Discussion Facilitator:** Dr.K.Narmadamba, IISc, Bangalore)*

 

*6.45 PM Inter Action with Delegates (30 min)*

 

*7.15 PM** **Address by Chairman (15 min)***

 

* *

 

*Session 2 18th Sunday*

 

Chair: *Sri BV Rama Rao* (Retd.Chief Secy & VC - ICFAI Institute

of Public Policy)

 

10.00 AM Presentation - *An alternative approach to Codification of

Indic Scripts and resultant benefits for Vedic Scriptural knowledge *(45

Min)

 

By *Dr.Sri P Ramanujan*, CDAC (Bangalore)

 

10.45 AM *Panel Discussion and Debate*

 

· Research in Vedic Scripts

 

· Methodology to Vedic Character Codification

 

· Information about Research projects undertaken by various

Organisations/ Individuals

 

· Necessity of networking similar efforts

 

· Co-relating ISCII, Baraha, Unicode Font standards

 

· Efforts to start E-Magazine Veda Nidhi – to periodically update

developments

 

*Presenters/ Participants:*

 

*· **Sri KR Paramahamsa (Retd.IAS & Director – Sri Satya Sai Veda

Pratishthanam)*

 

*· **Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu & Other Guest Speakers*

 

*Session 3*

 

*Chair - Dr.Devaki,** Director, Oriental Research Institute,

Mysore*

 

3.00 PM Submitting the Resolutions of Symposium by

Dr.RVSSAvadhanulu (15 min)

 

3.15 PM Launch of Veda Nidhi Website (2 min)

 

3.17 PM Launch of Veda Nidhi List Group (1 min)

 

3.18 PM Presidential Address (12 Min)

 

3.30 PM Interaction with participants & Pledge of support (10 min)

 

3.40 PM Honouring the participants (20 min) marking the conclusion

of the program

 

4 PM Discourse by Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji

 

(On the occasion of Narasimha Jayanti)

 

------------

 

*Annexure – 1*

 

*Outline of the Veda Nidhi - Vedic Character Codification Project:*

 

 

 

The group of erudite scholars have framed the outline for the project to be

to be undertaken by integrated groups of Technical professionals and

scholars. The theme is as follows:

 

* *

 

*1. Centre-specific Objectives:*

 

a) To develop knowledge resources and derive knowledge structures from

them

 

b) To enumerate shastraic structures from Sanskrit texts and

characterize them

 

c) To evolve knowledge representation models specific to each

discipline

 

d) Initiate IT-enabled Sanskrit studies/research to reorient Shastraic

learning in contemporary society

 

e) Technology Awareness Training to train a large number of persons

engaged in Sanskrit studies in the use of IT tools

 

f) To make available knowledge in Sanskrit language accessible for

solving contemporary problems using information technology.

 

* *

 

*2. Core objectives*

 

a) To identify Knowledge resources and structures to develop smart

e-content

 

b) To develop tools for KR using Sanskrit structures

 

c) To develop tools for Knowledge interpretation etc.

 

d) Technology Awareness training

 

* *

 

*3 Need, Justification and basis of estimation of quantifiable*

 

 

 

Shastra-s happen to contain the cumulative, distilled essence of the

intellectual pursuits of our illustrious ancestors and it is therefore, our

duty to preserve, study and propagate them in such a way that humankind as a

whole is the beneficiary. Contemporary society faces unprecedented

challenges and miseries for which, solutions could be sought in Shastra-s.

This reorientation of the purpose of the Shastra-s is the need of the time.

If it is not now, it will be never.

 

Already, pointers to the effectiveness of these solutions in

different fields are emerging and increasingly more western research is

focusing on these aspects. It is in the fitness of things that we undertake

this in right earnest as we have the advantage of traditional scholarship

facing increasing domestic neglect. Also, time is running out as in many

critical areas of Vedic related knowledge, like Veda Bhaashya,

Lakshana-Granthas, Vikrti-pathas, Shiksha, Nirukta, Pratishakhya, Meemamsa,

Aagama etc., number of true traditional experts is fast dwindling.

 

On the basis of comparable work abroad, experience in related or similar

projects and empirical estimates, the deliverables are being quantified.

 

* *

 

*4 Existing facilities/tools and gap estimates*

 

 

 

Attempts have been made in a very cursory manner in order to prove the

concept, but no usable system of any significant magnitude is available in

respect of knowledge structures per se. Knowledge resources are estimated to

be of the order of 5,00,000 A4 pages of ISCII content of which about 10% is

available. Tools are available for classical Sanskrit to a good extent, but

enhancements at semantic and pragmatic layers as also development of these

for Vedic texts are required to be initiated. Also, rigorous

testing/verification/evaluation is needed in all cases. Training is also to

be started ab initio.

 

 

 

*5 Alternatives considered*

 

 

 

This is actually not applicable as there is no alternative to shastraic

structures the world over for any meaningful research on knowledge-related

issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annexure – 2

 

Proposal for Action Plan

 

1. Scout for project team/personnel

 

2. Set up an organization under *Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore* with

academic support from *Parankushachar Institute of Vedic Studies*,

Bangalore, to co-ordinate and carry on activities;

 

a. Arrange resources for Manpower, equipment/infrastructure, travel

etc.]

 

 

 

3. Define system specifications, functional details

 

a. (search, sort, index, thesaurus, concordance, hyperlink, dictionary

etc.) exhaustively –

 

b. script, speech, processing, research utilities

 

c. software requirements like font character map, orthographic,

aesthetic details, converters, interfaces (device drivers for display,

print, browser, databases, OS, application, edit, print, display controls),

 

d. tabulation for transliteration, semantic links, mode conversion etc.

 

 

 

4. Determining basic character set for Vedic text representation in

Computers in script and speech separately (like ISCII and IPA) afresh

 

 

 

5. Discussion on each character/accent/phoneme, threadbare, for

inclusion in the proposed Vedic standard Veda-wise, shakha-wise

 

 

 

6. Survey and compilation of written and recital forms, symbols in

manuscripts across the country for these characters/accents/phonemes

 

 

 

7. Survey of research in the field so far, survey of text material

available and a quick survey of work done so far by all groups/institutions

and summarizing issues/ concerns

 

 

 

8. Interact/visit repositories of Vedic manuscripts, digitize/Xerox

sample texts for all varieties for authentication, literary attestation,

documentation, search for equivalent symbols in different scripts etc.

 

 

 

9. Digitising sample manuscripts of each text in different scripts and

accent schemes

 

 

 

10. Start design of a standard, scheme for interfacing speech, description

of each element

 

 

 

11. Decide shapes/sound characteristics of each unit (providing ref. to

text sources)

 

 

 

12. Define knowledge structures, algorithms for integrated semantic

analysis

 

 

 

13. Initiate research project for testing adequacy, accuracy, utility etc.

 

 

 

14. Create a portal to upload for users, experts for alpha/beta testing,

feedback, modifications etc/

 

 

 

15. Publication of a series of survey findings as status reports and

critical editions of Veda lakshana texts with Sanskrit commentary,

computerized example/counterexamples, indices, english translation,

hyper-links between Vedas and Vedangas/Upangas, as Parishkara by Research.**

 

 

 

* *

 

* *

 

* *

 

* *

 

* *

 

*Annexure – 3*

 

*Resource Requirements***

 

*A) Team Required* (paid/voluntary)

 

1. Project Research Director and one Full time assistant for texts

digitization, data entry, database conversion, design/implementation.

 

2. Project Convenor and three full time volunteers

 

a. First Volunteer for font/converter/ interfaces;

 

b. Second Volunteer for application program (including database

management), development;

 

c. Third Volunteer for web hosting and interface

 

Note: Services of students, who have completed their studies and are

searching for a job, can be requisitioned, by extending stipend to them.

 

*B) Equipment* [Non-recurring]

 

a. PC – Laptop 2 nos. with extra storage capacity

 

b. Printer, internet connectivity, office stationery [or HP

multifunction office m/c]

 

c. Consumables (DVDs, pen drives, CDs, cartridges, paper etc.)

 

d. Storage racks, filing cabinets, almirahs {for books and manuscripts

copies/printouts to be kept; for publications of critical editions of Veda

lakshana texts with Sanskrit commentary, computerized

example/counterexamples, indices, english translation, hyper-links between

Vedas and Vedangas/Upangas}

 

e. Scanner, digital camera (with fixed set-up/mobile use) of high

resolution {for digitizing manuscripts on paper/palm-leaf medium with

varying degrees of clarity, health, age and background in various scripts on

diverse Vedic subjects/topics}

 

*C) Infrastructure* [Non-recurring cost]

 

Minimal for Research Director Office

 

*D) **Activities:*

 

a. *Training of Vedic scholars/students* – LCD Projector and allied

paraphernalia {periodically Vedic scholars/students/enthusiasts will be

trained on accental semantics, vedangas and upangas in Sanskrit and

English/Kannada medium}

 

b. *Web Portal - *A portal to be set up for this project, (alpha/ beta

version) for testing and dissemination of project updates to members.

 

c. *Periodical Workshop/ Seminars/ Symposia* to discuss the progress of the

project. At least once in 4 months.

 

d. *Teams of Techies: *Small groups of dedicated enthusiasts/ activists can

be formed to do the patch works. For this a offer of part time and full time

service can be made thru portal. On the lines of corporate software

companies, ideas should be welcomed to achieve the goal.

 

e. *Travel -- *Research Director and Team members need to visit repository

centres for selection, digitizing and publication-related activities. Hence,

air travel and local conveyance costs for two (Research Director and

assistant) to various places would be a major expenditure head.

 

f. *Miscellaneous* overheads (telephone/fax/mail/ internet) and

contingencies.

 

*E) Project Summary: *

 

· *Duration*: 2-3 years

 

· *Approximate Cost: *Non-recurring Rs. 15 Lakhs

Recurring Rs.25 Lakhs

 

*Total Approx. Cost* : Rs. 40 lakhs.

 

Note:

 

This cost component could also be less, depending on the availability of the

resources, in terms of equipment, man hours, logistics and voluntary

support.

 

 

 

Note:

 

1. For details kindly contact, Convenor – Veda Nidhi Program,

Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore 570025. Email

sgsvedanidhi: 9449804360.

2. Kindly support the organisation with your generous contribution by

becoming members/ Donors/Patrons of Veda Nidhi.

3. Demand Drafts/ Cheques shall favour *Veda Nidhi – ADPT*, payable at

Mysore*.* Donations are exempt from Income Tax u/s 80(G).

4. Interested persons may register their names as delegates, free of

cost. This may ensure suitable seating arrangements.

5. Technocrats, Scholars and Volunteers willing to work for the

projects (mentioned above), must clearly indicate their field of expertise,

extent of time allocation among other details.

 

Jaya Guru Datta

 

 

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