Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/224

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1889.—Lord Reay.
209

Saheb on the fact that the number of Muhomedan students taking distinguished position on the lists of the University gives promise that his munificent gift will not remain inoperative. Associated with the same Native State is the gift of Rs. 15,000 in commemoration of the late Rao Bahadur Sujna Gokalji Zala, Devan of Junagadh, which his friends and admirers have handed to the University for the encouragement of the study of the Vedanta, a system of philosophy in which the late Devan was himself so proficient, as shown in the record of his life written by Mr. Manassukharama Suryarama Tripathi, The services rendered by another administrator to the neighbouring State of Kutch—I refer to its-late Devan Bahadur Manibhai Jasbhai—are similarly commemorated by the gift of Rs. 12,000 bestowed upon the University for the purpose of founding two Scholarships, one to be connected with the science course of study in the University, the other with the Victoria Jubilee Technical College. I am glad to observe that the Bhattia community is beginning to associate itself with the work of the University. The Committee of the Valabhdas Valji Memorial Fund has placed the sum of Rs. 5,000 at the disposal of the University for the encouragement of higher education in the Bhattia community, by the awarding of a Scholarship to the most deserving Bhattia student passing the Matriculation Examination. Zend and Pehlvi Scholarships will receive an impulse from the recognition of the Zend and Pehlvi languages in the higher examinations of the University, and from the Scholarship endowed by Mr. Nasarvanji Manekji Petit, in memory of his much-lamented son, the late Mr. Jamsedji Nasarvanji. In thus carrying out the unfulfilled purposes of his son, Mr. Nasarvanji Manekji Petit has raised an additional memorial to one whose life was distinguished by high and generous aims. Within the last day or two the Secretaries of the Spencer Memorial Fund presented to the University the sum of Rs. 5,100 for the endowment of a prize of books in memory of the late Mr. N. Spencer, Barrister-at-Law, late Judge of the Small Cause Court. This prize will perpetuate a worthy and honoured name, and the winners of this prize, we trust, will be influenced by the example of one who was during so many years a good judge and a trusted friend of the people. I have great pleasure in noticing the donation of my friend H. H, the Thakor Saheb of Gondal, K.C.I.E., to establish and increase a collection of Sanskrit manuscripts to be available to all scholars in this University. I should like to be able to add to this enumeration of benefactions that the Bhagvanlal Memorial Fund was in a flourishing condition, but I now make an earnest appeal for the support which its name and its object deserve.