Date: October, 2002

PRESS RELEASE

"Cricket Legend Sunil Gavaskar to Visit Center for Indic Studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on October 6, 2002"

As part of the first anniversary celebrations of the Center for Indic Studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on October 6, 2002 (Sunday), cricket legend and little master Sunil Gavaskar will be the chief guest and the keynote speaker.

The Center was formally inaugurated on October 6, 2001. Its goals and objectives include:

• Highlight India's time-tested eternal values for world's progress, peace and
  harmony.

• Cultivate relevance of ancient Indic human values through scholarly understanding and promotion.

• Disseminate understanding of issues relating to the arts, philosophy, culture, societal values, and customs of India.

• Promote international harmony through a mix of ancient and modern values.

• Promote awareness among Americans of contemporary India and its demographic diversity in the 21st century

The Center has had a very active and eventful year. Its major highlights have been:

• Organizing the 4th International World Association for Vedic Studies (WAVES) Conference on India's Contributions and Influences in the World, July 12-14, 2002. The Conference was attended by almost 250 people with scholars from all over the US and international delegates coming from India, Canada, The Netherlands, Nepal, UK, Guyana, and Trinidad.

• Sponsoring a panel discussion at the National Press Club, Washington, DC, on Media Coverage on Terrorism in India and Pakistan, April 26, 2002. This full-house event had prominent scholars on India such as Dennis Kux and Selig Harrison as the panelists.

• Conducting Kriya yoga classes from August 5 September 3, 2002. The course was offered by Yogi Satyam whose ashram is located in Allahabad, India. The class had attendees from the Southeastern Massachusetts region and from Canada, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

• Sponsoring six seminars on topics related to relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's ideas today, religion, philosophy, ayurveda, and Indic influences in Tibet, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

• Patanjali Lecture by Shre C. M. Bhandari, Consul General of India, Toronto, Canada, on February 19, 2002, on India's influences beyond India's borders.

The first anniversary of the Center will be celebrated on October 6, 2002 (Sunday), 4:00 9:00 PM at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.

Events include:

• A panel discussion on Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi and Indic Traditions to the Life in Modern Global Village

• A report on the past activities of the Center and a discussion as to what activities should we undertake in the future

• Keynote speech and Q/A by Sunil Gavaskar

• Dinner, and

• A cultural program which will consist of Bharatnatyam and Hindustani Classical Music (Sarod).
  

Tickets for the whole event (including dinner) are $10/person for the general public and $6 for students with valid ID. For kids below 12, the program and dinner are free. For details please contact Prof. Sukalyan Sengupta [508-999-8470 or ssengupta@umassd.edu]

 Last Updated On: 3/29/06