Chief Editor's Report
NORTH INDIAN SCHOLARS' MANUSCRIPT READING WORKSHOP
JUNE 1 - JUNE 15, 2005

Forty distinguished scholars participated in this workshop; they worked in the Yoga Hall of Paramarth Niketan. Each had a separate table and chair and worked from 9:00am to 1:00pm, and then again from 3:00pm to 6:00pm during the period of the workshop. A select collection of books was made available for checking references; but the scholars felt that it was not adequate.

The workshop started with an orientation meeting by Dr. Rao. He asked the scholars to focus on the meaningfulness and clarity of each article. They were to correct factual errors or errors in interpretation, if any. The manuscript reading was to cover the following steps:

i) if the article read well and contained no errors, but required only correction of some typing and grammatical mistakes, then it was to be signed off after the changes were made;

ii) if an article needed some marginal revisions in language or interpretation, these corrections were to be carried out and the changes incorporated in the electronic version of the article with the help of the computer operators made available to the conference.

iii) if an article was found unsuitable or underwritten to be a suitable entry in the Encyclopedia in terms of conception, expression, interpretation or logical coherence, the matter was to be discussed with the Chief Editor. He would make the decision whether it should be revised, re-written, or deleted.

iv) Bhagwatiji requested that the workshop time be not spent on putting or correcting the diacritical marks (as this will be done separately) or on extensive editing of any articles.

v.) if the article was to be re-written, the scholar could do it himself/ herself later on, or get it done through another scholar within three to four weeks.

The Chief Editor was available individually to the scholars for consultation and guidance in the Yoga Hall. He was also available from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 pm each day for discussion and resolution of specific or controversial issues and themes. The scholars also had the opportunity, during the conference, to consult individually with other experts in their field of specialization.

Most scholars worked all through the fifteen days; but some could stay only as long as their work schedule could permit. The experts did a lot of work; it was remarkable.

The scholars started with articles of 1000 words and above. Each scholar picked up about ten or fifteen articles each morning, and completed reading and reviewing as many as possible during the day. The remainders were done with the next day's articles. It took slightly over six days for the completion of the articles of this length. Whatever corrections were made were incorporated in the electronic version with the help of the computer operators.

The articles in subject area 08 (Hinduism and Science) were not distributed to scholars for validation as Dr. Subbarayappa took total responsibility to authenticate them. Dr.Ratna Lahiri had gone through 450 articles in subject area 04 (Language and Literature) sent to her by Prof. Lalit Lal, but there was a question whether they were "Chennai" edited or not. But the articles she was given in Rishikesh were those, which had been received from Chennai.

After the completion of the review of the longer substantive articles the short descriptive articles were taken up. Each scholar, apart from the entries in his/ her field, took up also some general articles. The idea was that each article was to make sense to the general reader, not just to the specialist. A major part of this work was done, although it was not totally finished.

Scholars were not happy about the promise that diacritical marks will be taken care of at a later stage. They pointed out that it is not a mechanical job, and that giving general directions to the computer cannot do it. The diacritical marks change with the meaning of the word, and also with the particular language in question. It was, therefore, recommended that a team of Sanskrit scholars should be charged with the responsibility of working on this and completing the job.

Each participant scholar, a specialist in his/ her field, wanted to contribute one or two articles that would encapsulate the essence of his/ her life-long study, knowledge and experience. These would be in addition to the articles which have already been prepared for the EH. Assurance was given by the Chief Editor that special consideration would be given for the inclusion of such articles in the EH. But these articles should be received within a few weeks.

The question of the quality of the illustrative materials and the matching of excellent images with the appropriate entries, that would enhance the quality and meaning of the articles concerned, came up for discussion. They wanted to make sure that each image is related to the text. But we were informed that the illustrative materials would not be available at the present time. So the work of validation and approval of the illustrations had to be postponed to another time.

The scholars noted that the following points may be given special attention during the finalization of the manuscript:

1. Entries that have no relevance to Hinduism are to be deleted;
2. Uniformity in the use of English translations of Sanskrit and other vernacular terms is to be worked out;
3. Bibliography should contain primary sources first. Biographical details are to be given in full.
4. One workshop is to be arranged just for diacritical marks; there are scholars willing to do that. No diacritical marks are to be used for personal names. Anglicized Sanskrit terms (like Vaishnavism, Shaivism, etc.) do not need diacritical marks.
5. The approval to write certain articles are already given orally; the details and the date lines are to be adhered to.
6. Capital letters are not to be used unnecessarily.
7. References to illustrations are to be given.
8. Uniformity in the spelling of Sanskrit words (Svami, Swamy;Sarasvati, Saraswati) is to be maintained.
9. Measurements are to be in KM, meters and not miles & yards
.
10. All scholars express grateful appreciation to Pujya Swamiji for his inspiration and gracious hospitality, and special thanks to Sadhvi Bhagavati for excellent administrative arrangements.
11. The momentum of this workshop is to be maintained till the successful and qualitative completion of this project is accomplished.