Monk who initiated Bhim Rao Ambedkar to Buddhism no more

LUCKNOW: Buddhist monk Sthavir G Pragyanand who initiated Dr BR Ambedkar to Buddhism breathed his last at the King George’s Medical College at 11 am on Thursday. He was 90.

Pragyanand was the only surviving Buddhist monk among the seven monks who saw Dr Ambedkar embracing Buddhism at Nagpur’s Dikshabhoomi on October 14, 1956.

Pragyanand was living at Bhuddhist math at Risaldar park here.

Chief medical Superintendent, KGMU, Dr SN Shankhwar said Pragyanand was admitted to the trauma centre after he complained of breathing problem and chest pain. He was shifted to Gandhi ward where he passed away at 11 am.

His body was taken to Baudh Vihar at Risaldar park, said Bhante Sumant who was looking after Pragyanand for the last few days at KGMU.

“Pragyanand was bedridden for the last two years. He was suffering from breathing disorder and other ailments,” he said.

State minister Swami Prasad Maurya visited KGMU to pay tribute to the departed soul. Hundreds of followers thronged the Risaldar temple to pay last

respect to the monk.

Pragyananda was born in Sri Lanka but came to India in 1942. He assisted Bhadant Chandramani Mahathero who formally inducted Dr Ambedkar into Buddhism in front of a gathering of five lakh.