Ex-VC seeks Nagpur University help to set-up Tukadoji chair in Japan

NAGPUR: Maharashtra's famous saint Rastrasant Tukadoji Maharaj on whom Nagpur University has been renamed had presided over a 'World Religion Conference' in Japan, way back in 1957. His philosophies had greatly influenced the Japanese and are still remembered there. Now, efforts are being made to build a memorial of the great saint in Tokyo. Former NU vice chancellor SN Pathan is working relentlessly towards making the efforts become a reality.
Recently, Pathan got elected as the vice president of India Council for Culture and Relations (ICCR), the Government of India's cultural wing. He revealed his ambitious plans during his visit to the city on Friday.
"I have been propagating Tukadoji's thoughts ever since I became the first NU VC after it got renamed. We had organized many programmes and even set up a chair in his name in the university. After taking over the reins of ICCR VP, the first thought that came to my mind is to set up his memorial in Japan," Pathan told TOI.
According to him, ICCR, founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, works towards promoting Indian culture abroad and also in fostering cultural ties between various countries.
"ICCR formulates and implement policies pertaining to India's external cultural relations, fosters mutual understanding between the countries and promotes cultural exchanges," he said.
He added that the panel is comprised of 15 VCs of India's top universities like JNU and BHU, five MPs and 10 national and international level artists.
He called on the NU officials to come forward for this noble initiative and send proposals so that a chair in the name of the great saint in Japan can be realized. "Even the other organizations like Gurukunj Ashram and Guru Seva Mandal can come forward with proposals related to this international chair," he said.