Prof. C. Upendra Rao received the award for creative writing in Pali for the year of 2023

Prof. C. Upendra Rao, from school of Sanskrit and Indic studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi has received the prestigious “Third Prof. M.G. Dhadphale Excellence Award for creative writing in Pali for the year of 2023.” In a glittering program, organised by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, in Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune) Ganeshkhind, Pune, on the 2nd March 2024 at 10:30 am. The program was organised during the inaugural function of the Dhammasākacchā International Students’ Conference, organised by the department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, in Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Congratulating Prof. Rao for winning this award Dr. Mahesh A. Deokar, a renowned Pali Professor & Head, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharastra, invited Prof. C. Upendra Rao to receive this award, through a formal letter, “Dear Sir, I congratulate you for being selected for the Third Prof. M. G. Dhadphale Excellence Award for Creative Writing in Pali (2023). The award comprises a cash prize of INR 10000/- and a certificate of honour. The award will be formally conferred on you on the 2nd March 2024 during the inaugural function of the Dhammasākacchā International Students’ Conference to be held from 9:00 to 10:30 am. We hereby request you to kindly honour us by accepting the award and certificate of honour personally.”
Prof. C. Upendra Rao attended and has also delivered a Keynote Speech in the inaugural session of the “Dhammasākacchā: International Students’ Conference on Buddhist Literature: Prospects and Challenges” on Saturday, 2nd March 2024 held in the Conference Hall, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies.
Special Guest was Prof. Vijay Khare, Hon. Officiating Registrar and Dean Faculty of Humanities, SPPU and Dr. Habil. Dragomir Dimitrov, Heisenberg Professor, Department of Indology and Tibetology, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany and Adjunct Professor, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, SPPU, Pune was the Chief Guest, Special Guest was Dr. Rajeshwari Deshpande, Director, Interdisciplinary School (I.D.S), Humanities and Social Sciences, SPPU and Prof. Mahesh Deokar was there on the dais as a Head, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, SPPU.
Other distinguished scholars like Prof. Lata Chhatre, from the Department of Philosophy, SPPU Prof. Pradeep Gokhale, from the Department of Philosophy, SPPU, Prof. Rajashree Mohadikar, from the Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit, SPPU, Dr. Niraj Bodhi, Head, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, Nagpur University, Dr. Bhavana Balte Editorial Assistant, Sanskrit Dictionary Project, Deccan College, Pune, India Mr. Gautam More, Assistant Professor, Department of Dharma Studies, Somaiya Vidyavihar, Mumbai, Dr. Talat Pravin, Assistant Professor, Shri. Ritesh Prakash Ovhal, Assistant Professor, Dr. Smt. Deepali Prataprao Patil Assistant professor, Dr. Lata Deokar, visiting professor, Dr. Lauren Bausch, Professor in dharma Realm Buddhist University, Ukiah, California, USA were also present in the program. Miss. Truptirani B. Tayade, Assistant Professor, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, SPPU was the convenor of the program.