Noted historian Shri Kunj Bihari Jalan was presented 12th Dr Wakankar Puraskar at a function held in New Delhi on September 19. Instituted by Baba Saheb Apte Smarak Samiti, Delhi, the Puraskar was presented by former MP Shri BL Sharma Prem. Veteran Sangh Pracharak Thakur Ram Singh, former Governor of Goa and Sikkim Shri Kidarnath Sahani and BJP leader Dr Mahesh Chandra Sharma, were also present on the occasion. The Puraskar consists of a cheque of Rs 51,000, a citation and a memento.
Born on April 14, 1930 at Sitamadhi in Bihar Shri Jalan took part in anti-cow slaughter movement and was directed by Prabhudutt Brahmachari to lead the movement in Patna. He also met Shri Guruji, Dr Syama Pasad Mookerjee and Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya. He developed keen interest in the history of Bharat especially from the Puranic sources and began to prepare a chronology of the ancient kings. As the chronology was found to be the best possible reflection of Puranic wisdom and linkages, he was encouraged to carry out the work further. Despite his lack of groundings his forays into history research received acknowledgement and recognition. He set up a research centre that proved useful to the wisdom of ancient Bharat. His significant works during the nineties and at the turn of century included Sat Yuga and Treta Yuga under the title Hindu Itihas. The second volume of the same work devoted largely to Iatasic Purush Chakravarti Samrat Shri Ramchandra was also published during that period. Dwaper Bharat, Kali Kaleen Bharat and Yug Purush Shri Krishna are still to be published. Presenting the Puraskar Shri BL Sharma Prem said the leadership might slip into the hands of wrong people if scholars are not honoured and in such a situation those who do not deserve respect are started to be respected which ultimately damage the society. Thakur Ram Singh spoke about the life and work of Dr Wakankar. He said in order to make the memories of Dr Wakankar that the Puraskar has been started in his name. Shri Jalan thanked the Baba Saheb Apte Smarak Samiti for presenting him the award. (FOC)
