Pune (Maharashtra) [India]: The Late Shri Prakashchandra Surana Historian Award Ceremony was organised by Quantum Foundation in association with Deccan College. This year’s Late Shri Prakashchandra Surana Historian Award was given to Dr. Raja Dixit, Head of the Department of History, Pune University and Indian archaeologist, historian and culinary-anthropologist Dr. Kurush Dalal. The award was presented by Mrs. Pushpa P. Surana, Trustee of Quantum Foundation.
Dr. Pratik Surana, founder of Quantum Foundation, gave information about the activities of the Foundation in his introduction. One of the important activities of the Foundation is Project Dharohar and many activities related to history are done under it. Dr. Pratik Surana’s father Late Prakashchandra Surana was fond of history. He tried to understand history, tradition and culture in the context of historical archaeological sites. The Historian Award is given by the Foundation in his memory. This year was the third year of the award.
Eminent Indian archaeologist Dr. K. Paddayya, Professor Sonal Kulkarni, Dean and Head of Linguistics Program, Deccan College, Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Professor Shahida Ansari, Head of Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, and students were present at the program.
Views expressed by awardees during the award ceremony.
Professor Dr. S. M. (Raja) Dixit, Head of the Department of History, Pune University.
“Many changes are taking place in the field of history, many new theories are coming, concepts of history are changing. In fact, sometimes doubts are expressed by post-modernists whether history can be a subject of study. Some people have even questioned the existence of history. There are controversies in society about history, but to find answers to these controversies we need to go back to history. For this, there should be at least awareness of history among the general public and for this, if we can develop historical literacy, it can help in solving all these problems”.
Dr. Kurush Dalal, Indian archaeologist, historian and culinary-anthropologist
“Today, the world has become digital and history needs to move with the times”, Dr. Kurush Dalal expressed his views and said that history should always be seen with fairness and at the same time it should be brought to the next generation Digitally.
