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SHRADDHANJALI

We are grieved to inform the readers of the Bhavan's Journal and members of the Bhavan's Family that Shri P.N. Santhanagopal, Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan passed away in the night of January 22, 2019. He was a pillar of strength to the administration of the Central Bhavan. He had recently taken over the responsibility of the Editor of the Bhavan's Journal.

Santhanamji joined Bhavan in 1967 as an Assistant and rose to become Director. Though 87, he had the enthusiasm and capacity to work hard of a young man. His dedication was total. His understanding of and commitment to the values of the Bhavan's Mission was wonderful and unflinching. His will-power was amazing. His analytical ability and skill of oral and written communication were extraordinary.

Santhanamji's demise is a huge blow to the Administration of the Central Bhavan. He had the capacity to remain cool and composed in the most difficult circumstances. When can we find a like of him? The consolation is that Santhanamji had a full purposeful life and met with glorious death. He was in office on Monday. On Tuesday, he was gone. His last words were: "I will go to Bhavan tomorrow".

We bow down in humble reverence to this enlightened human being and a true uncompromising, proud and devoted Bhavanite.

It would be instructive to remember that Kulapati Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi founded the Bhavan a full decade before the advent of Independence. 7th of November 1938 was the beginning of an 'Adventure in Faith'. A faith in India's Past, Present and Future. The founding of Bhavan was based on the preservation and propagation of Bharatiya Sanskriti (Indian culture) and Sanskrit, the mother of languages, the akshaya patra - the inexhaustible reservoir. This unpretentious endeavour was backed by Kulapati Munshi's amazing pragmatism. Over the years from being a modest Indological research institution, it has steadily grown into a comprehensive, co-operative, apolitical, national movement with an international outlook. It seeks to inculcate a value-based life. The promotion of ethical and spiritual values in everything that it does..

"... Our country will soon be the knowledge hub of this century. "
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is the only comprehensive organization of its kind in India and perhaps the only one in the world. Multi-dimensional programmes ... devoted to life itself as it were. ... Bhavan's large and growing extended family continues to grow. It steadfastly adheres to the Vedic ideal:
"Let noble thoughts come to us from every side."
Recognitions and Awards
Educational Institution of National Eminence	International Gandhi Peace Prize
Communal Harmony Award	Rajiv Gandhi Award for National Integration
"...values are embedded in our national outlook. We command the respect of the world because of them."
To Bhavan, Indian Culture is composite and comprehensive and includes the cultures of all religions and communities. It believes in the fusion and synthesis of the basic ideals and tenets of all faiths ... and an equal respect for all religions.
"Harmony of all faiths. Sarva Dharma Samabhavana."