Prominent persons from over the world have visited Bhavan’s Library over the years to access and appreciate the library collection and its activities related to Indology and Indian culture.
Among our visitors are
Researchers and scholars from countries like Germany, Russia, Italy, etc.
Librarians from other Indology institutes and departments
Teachers and students from universities
Dignitaries from over the world
Year
Event
2019
Dr. habil Dragomir Dimitrov visits the Bhavan
Dr. habil Dragomir Dimitrov from the Department of Indology and Tibetology, Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Marburg, Germany visited Bhavan’s Library in Feb 2019. He gave valuable suggestions on preservation and digitization of manuscripts and rare collection and extended best wishes to the library for its various activities.
2016
Russian delegation visits the Bhavan
Russian guests with senior officer of the Bhavan
Ms. Sekacheva Ludmila, President, Regional public organization - BRICS, The World of Traditions, Moscow, Russia; with her two colleagues Ms. Tsakhilova Zemfira and Mr. Raznatovsky Evgeni, and Mrs. Vidya Swarge, Russian language teacher at Russian Centre for Science and Culture, Mumbai; visited Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Wednesday, 16-11-2016.
Mrs. Anjali Ambekar, Librarian, Bhavan's Library, introduced the guests, to the works authored by Russian litterateurs and researchers, preserved at the Bhavan's Library.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: , 2016-17
2014
Sanskrit scholar from Mauritius honoured
Shri H.D. Girdharee, Dr. Jaychand Lallbeeharry (Mauritius) and Shri Ashok Tiwari (from Mumbai) visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Monday, 19-1-2014.
The guests paid visit to the Bhavan's Sanskrit Depts., Library and Gandhi Institute of Computer Education & Information Technology and appreciated the Bhavan's multi-dimensional activities
carried out for promotion of Indian culture, art, Sanskrit heritage, and modern education.
Source: Bhavan's Journal
2011
Indonesian Delegates visit Bhavan
Mr. Agung Kriswanto, Librarian of Manuscript Collection, National Library of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; along with his three colleagues, visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on November 11, 2011. Ms. Sri Lestary, Counsellor, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai accompanied the delegates. The delegates took special interest in the manuscripts and Bhavan’s publications of the two national epics-the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Shri Yogesh Kamdar, Jt. Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, welcomed the guests and introduced them to Bhavan’s educational activities. Prof. G. B. Jani, Addl. Director, Bhavan’s P.G. & Research Dept, presented details of Bhavan’s activities carried out for the promotion and propagation of Sanskrit and culture. Shri Ramesh Oza, Advisor (Research and Development), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and In- Charge, Bhavan’s Library, spoke of the various versions of Ramayana available in the major Indian languages. Miss Anjali Karekar, Librarian, Bhavan’s Library, introduced the visitors to the rich collection on Sanskrit and Indology treasured at the Bhavan’s Library.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: January 15, 2012
2011
Teachers and Students from Bijapur visit the Bhavan
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has emerged as an important place in Mumbai, for visitors interested in subjects like literature, arts, Indian Culture and education and is frequently visited by scholars, artists, researchers, etc. 21 students (of Post- Graduation in Library & Information Science) along with their teachers Dr. Smt. Shantadevi, Asst. Professor and Dr. Machendranath, Guest Lecturer, from the Department of Library & Information Science Karnataka State Women’s University, Bijapur (Karnataka), visited the Bhavan’s Library, as part of their programme of study tour in Mumbai, on March 5. 2011. Prof. Girish Jani, Deputy Director, Bhavan’s P. G. & Research Department, welcomed the guests and introduced them to the history of the Bhavan and its present role in promoting and preserving Sanskrit, Indian culture, as well as the Bhavan’s publications and its various activities. Ms. Anjali Karekar, Librarian, Bhavan’s Library, introduced them to the treasure of the Bhavan’s library i.e. Valuable & Rare Collection, Paintings, Manuscripts, Palm leaf collection, Reference Books, Munshi Collection, and Research Journals. The visitors greatly appreciated the rich collection of the library and the activities of the Bhavan.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: May 31, 2011
2011
Romanian scholar
Dr. Eugen Ciurtin, an Indologist, and the Secretary of the Scientific Council Institute for the History of Religions, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania; visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on January 24. He also visited the Bhavan’s Library. He congratulated the Bhavan for its multi-dimensional activities carried out for the promotion of culture and education.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: March 15, 2011
2011
Russian Scholars Visit Bhavan
Dr. Indira Gazieva, Hindi teacher at the Russian State University for the Humanities, along with Dr. Laxmi Mikaelyan, Reader & Head, Department of Russian, University of Mumbai visited the Central Bhavan on March 9. 2011. Prof. G B. Jani, Dy. Director, and Dr. Smt. Prachi Moghe, Asst. Director, Bhavan’s P. G. & Research Department discussed with them the long-run relations between Russian and Indian scholars, their contribution to Indian studies, as well as the Bhavan’s publications on Indology in Russia. They also visited the Bhavan’s library which contains a virtual treasure of Indological books.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: May 15, 2011
2009
Italian Scholar visits the Bhavan
Prof. Roberto Bertilaccio, Lecturer of Italian, University of Mumbai, and Cultural Attache, Consulate General of Italy, Mumbai, visited the Bhavan on Mumbai Head Quarters. Prof. Bertilaccio also visited the Bhavan’s library where its Librarian, Smt. Anjali Karekar, introduced him to its collections as well as the books published by the Bhavan.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: September 30, 2009
2005
Italian Guest Visits the Bhavan
Dr. Patrizia Raveggi, the Cultural Counselor to the Embassy of Italy in India and the Director of the Italian Institute of Culture, New Delhi visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Monday, 29th November 2004. Shri H. N. Dastur, Jt. Executive Secretary of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan welcomed the guest and highlighted the activities of the Bhavan in the field of education, culture and Indian heritage.
Dr. Raveggi appreciated the activities of the Bhavan. She said that many Italian scholars were interested in Indology and Indian culture. She also appreciated the rich and rare collection of the Indological books and manuscripts in the Bhavan’s library.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: January 31, 2005
1994
POLISH AMBASSADOR VISITS
The Youthful Polish Ambassador to India Mr. Krayasat of Byrski, sprang a surprise on Bhavanites by speaking in Sanskrit at an informal get-together held at Bhavan on December 18, 1993.
What attracted Byrski to the Bhavan was its famous lndological library, and prior to his visit to the library he had an intimate chat with Bhavan's Honorary Director Mahamahopadhyaya. Proi.J.H. Dave. Acharya Bhaishanker Purohit, Bhavan's Director General and Executive Secretary Shri S. Ramakrishnan and some of the senior executives. Polish Ambassador Byrski (centre) at the Bhavan's Library. to his right is Shri s. Ramakrishnan and at extreme right is Mm Prof J.H Dave
Source: Bhavan's Journal: January 31, 1994
1989
RUSSIAN VICE-COUNSUL VISITS BHAVAN
Mr. Anatoli M. Arbinovitch. Vice-Consul, U.S.S.R. Consulate General in Bombay, visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay on Friday. August 25. 1989. Principal S.M. Parekh, Shri Girish Munshi and Prof. S. A. Upadhyaya and Shri H.N. Dastur acquainted him with the activities of the Bhavan in lndia and abroad.
Mr. Arbinovitch appreciated ‘the activities of-the Bhavan, particularly in the field of culture and education. He also appreciated the rich collection of lndological books in the Bhavan's library, particularly the Manuscript Collection.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: October 15, 1989
1975
German Scholar Dr. Horst Kruger of the Central Institute of History, Academy of Sciences of the G.D.R, Berlin, visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on January 24, 1975. He visited Bhavan’s library and was pleased with its rich and rare collection of books.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: March 30, 1975
1973
Deligation of MPs at The Bhavan
A delegation of M.P.s led by Shri Amarnath Vidyalankar and constituting the Parliament Committee on National Libraries Bill, visited the Bhavan on September 28. Smt. Lilavati Munshi, President of the Bhavan, took them round the Bhavan’s library (Saraswati Mandir) and showed some rare manuscripts, scrolls, books etc. that were part of the Library’s wealth. Thanking the Bhavan for the hospitality shown to the Committee, Shri Amarnath Vidyalankar praised the work of the Bhavan, in particular, its library and publications division. Most of the books in the Bhavan’s library and those published by the Bhavan were on Indology, religion, Indian culture and literature and by this the Bhavan contributed much to the enrichment and preservation of traditional Indian culture, he added.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: September 30, 1973
1973
Dr. P.L. Bhargava, Head of the Department of Sanskrit, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on November,13, 1973. They visited Bhavan’s Library and praised its rich collection.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: November 25, 1973
1972
Library
Mr. J.E Schofield, Chief Librarian of the British Council, paid a visit to the Bhavan’s Library in March. He expressed satisfaction at the rapid growth of the Library and promised to help it by securing standard works and periodicals published in England.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: April 30, 1972
1972
American Students Visit Bhavan
About 20 students of architecture from the Pratt Institute, U.S.A., and the University of Puerto Rico visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Friday, June 16, 1972. During their four- hour visit to Bhavan, they visited Bhavan’s Library and Bhavan’s Academy of Music and Dance. They appreciated the ancient illustrated manuscripts and paintings. They also glanced through the rare books on Indian architecture.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: July 23, 1972
1972
Visitors to the Bhavan
Five American students from the South Asia Language and Area Studies, University of Rochester, visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on August 22, 1972. The students, accompanied by Professor V.E. Devadutt, came to India on a study project, viz. “Religion and the Making of Indian Civilisation.” The students visited the Bhavan library and appreciated its rich and rare treasures.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: September 17, 1972
1971
German Indologist Lauds Bhavan's Work Prof. Heinz Bechest, noted Indologist from the University of Gottingen, visited the
Post-Graduate & Research Department of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, on February 22, 1971. He appreciated the rare and rich Indological books and manuscripts in the Bhavan’s Library as well as the various activities of the Bhavan in the field of Indology.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: March 21, 1971
1966
Prof. Vallin at The Bhavan
Prof Vallin, Professor of Indian Philosophy at the Nancy University in France and Mrs.Vallin, accompanied by Prof. S.L Khot, visited the Bhavan on February 25, 1966. The couple is on a tour of this country as guests of the Government of India. In the course of his discussion on Indian Philosophy with Dr. A.K Majumdar, Jt. Director(Academic), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Prof. Vallin expressed great admiration for the Bhavan's outstanding contribution to the cultural, educational and philosophical life of India. The visitors then went round some of the departments of the Bhavan, including its Indological library, where Librarian Dr.N.I Pandya showed them rare French books on Indian art and philosophy.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: March 27, 1966
1965
Visitor To the Bhavan
Miss Edith Toth, Curator of the Indian Collection of the Museum of East Asian Arts, Budapest, Hungary, visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on April 29, 1965. She spent many hours at the Bhavan’s Munshi Saraswati Mandir and was charmed by the rare and valuable Manuscripts, books and collection of the Indological and Art Section of the Library and the museum.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: May 23, 1965
1960
Laotian Dignitary Mr. Chao Santhione, Director of the National Academy of Music and Dancing and Dy. Director of Primary Education in Laos, who visited India as the Guest of the Central Government, paid a visit to the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on the 3rd of February where he spent about 3 hours with us, along with Sri Save, the Educational Inspector of Bombay. On arrival he was introduced to the members of the staff. After tea he was taken round the different institutions of the Bhavan and the Library.
Source: Bhavan's Journal: February 21, 1960
1957
November 22, 1957: Bhavan's German Centre
A delegation consisting of six members of the German Centre of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was entertained to tea at the Gita Mandir of the Bhavan on the 22nd of November 1957. The delegation which was on a visit to India was headed by Mr. Hemorau and included two women also. After touring India from one end of the country to the other, the delegation visited the Bhavan. They were shown round the various departments and their working. The members evinced keen interest in the Indian theatre, dances and music. They were much impressed by the collection of Sanskrit and Indologlcal books in the Library of the Bhavan.