Western Indologists and Sanskrit Savants of Kashmir

A well-known researcher and author of Western Indologists and sanskrit Savants of Kashmir, S.N. Pandita is grandson of Professor Nityanand Shastri whom Sir Aurel Stein referred as the "Crest Jewel amongst the scholars of Kashmir". S.N. Pandita, with his pioneering research work in the field of history of scholarship in Kashmir during the late 19th and 20th century under the Dogra rule has introduced a new subject in Kashmir studies. A young researcher and avid writer of articles and papers, S.N. Pandita has attended more than 43 seminars and conferences including 5 national seminars. He has published a large numbers of papers, some of which are found as chapters in various books. Besides, he has delivered many lectures on topics in the filed of his specialisation both in India and abroad including the one delivered at the prestigious Nehru Centre, London. He is well known in the cultural and literary circles of Kashmir for his deep and first hand knowledge on Sir Aurel Stein's labours in Kashmir. In recognition of his work he was invited by the University of Pecs, Hungary to participate inan International Centenary Seminar on Sir Aurel Stein and is now invited by the De Montfort University, Leicester, U.K. to present the results of his new research work on the same subject. S.N. Pandita hold the rare distinction along with Sir Aurel Stein and Dr. M.M. Parker to have made comprehensive status assessment of one of the largest Sanskrit manuscript storehouses of ancient Sanskrit Manuscript Library, Jammy. Recipient of an International award given by Shogden Tibetan Internaitonal Society and Atisha Award by Atisha Trust for Excellence in research in the area of cultural heritage, S.N.Pandita is presently engaged in the preparation of 'Index Code List' of Sharada Manuscripts of Kashmir lying in various international libraries. His other two works viz: Nityanand Shastri: A Portrait through Letters and Profiles and 'Pentad of Codices', an account of history of five rare oriental manuscripts are also nearing completion. Described as 'rare researcher', S.N. Pandita is Founder Member and Secretary of N.S. Kashmir Research Institute, New Delhi. Besides, he also holds membership of various cultural and academic bodies which includes that of Kashmir Education, Culture and Science Society where he is also a member of the working group on International Research and Library Committee.