Remembering NP Jain…

Reverend Narendra Prakash Jain, whom I knew for 30 years, has been synonymous with Indological publications. He was rightly hailed as the promoter of India’s glorious traditions through books published under the banner of Motilal Banarasidass (MLBD) Publishers, an interpreter and promoter of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Under his stewardship, the family business of a small book store of Sanskrit books in the beginning of the 20th century, developed into a unique Indological publication house.

His publishing vision manifested itself with the publication of many acclaimed series on a wide range of subjects like Indian Medical Tradition series and India’s Scientific Heritage series. He also earned immense respect as the vice-chairman of Bhogilal Leharchand Institute of Indology and a life-long trustee of Shri Chintamani Parshvanath Jain Shvetambar temple in Haridwar.

It is really disheartening that he left for his heavenly abode on March 7, 2013. He will always be remembered and cherished as the promoter of India’s glorious traditions. I am sure his brothers Jainendra Prakash, Rajendra Prakash, Ravindra Prakash and Rajeev Prakash, will take his vision forward to higher level.

– Prof GC Tripathi, academic director, BL Institute of Indology, Delhi