Profile

Dr. Prem Chand Shridhar was born on the New Year day of 1934 to a devout family in the village, Jhuggiwala, Multan, which is now in Pakistan. His parents, Shri Khemchand Shastri and Shrimati Yashoda Shridhar, gave young Prem Chand an early start on what was to become his mission later in life. To initiate him in the study of Vedic scriptures and to instill in him the Vedic Sanskars, he was enrolled in the Multan Gurukul. Unfortunately, like many millions of people in then Northwest India, the family had their lives rudely interrupted by the partition of India into two independent nations. The Shridhar family was transplanted to Sonipat (now in Haryana) to start all over again. After finishing high school, Prem Chand started his career as a teacher in a primary school in Delhi. Shridhar Ji made progress in his profession guiding students in the higher grades, eventually retiring as a Senior Teacher after almost 40 years of teaching service to two generations of students.

Dr. Shridhar calls himself a perpetual student. Even while he was teaching and after he had retired, his quest for learning continued. During this time, in spite of his work and family obligations, he earned four Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees: in Hindi and in Political Science from Punjab University, and in Sanskrit and in Philosophy from Delhi University. He also received a M. Phil from Delhi University. He topped off his formal education with a Ph.D. from Delhi University with a thesis titled "Philosophical Reflections in Rigvedic Legends". In his spare time, Dr. Shridhar continues his education with self-study, and he shares his knowledge through his writings and lectures. He has published a number of articles and books on Vedas, Vedic Culture, and Arya Samaj and has presented papers at many conferences in India and abroad. He presented a paper on Divine Knowledge: The Vedas at an International Conference of Indic Studies held in Los Angeles, California. Similarly, he has presented a paper on Vedic Philosophy at International Ved Maha Samellan held in Allahabad, India. He was a Visiting Professor at Hindu University of America in Orlando, Florida. He is a member of Hindu Writers Forum and a member of World Association for Vedic Studies. In 1999, Santa Cruz Arya Samaj, Mumbai awarded him Shri Meghji Bhai Arya Sahitya Puraskar.

Dr. Shridhar has been a Pracharak (Missionary) of Arya Samaj for more than 35 years. While visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, his presence at the centennial celebrations for The Mother, revealed to him his life's mission: spreading the teachings of the Vedas. Since then, he has traveled all over India, to Kenya, England,Canada and U.S.A. spreading the Divine Knowledge in Vedas and "Return to Vedas" message of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. For his missionary work, Arya Kendriya Sabha, Delhi, honored him in 1992 with Shri Lalman Arya Vedic Vidwan Puraskar.

Despite the impressive credentials he has earned and recognition he has received, Dr. Shridhar is a very modest person and freely acknowledges the guidance and help many people afforded him. He is very grateful to his parents, Shri Khemchand Shastri and Shrimati Yashoda Shridhar, who initiated him into the Vedic sanskars in his early childhood years. He fondly remembers his uncle, Prof. Jagan Nath Vedalankar, Head of the Sanskrit Department at International Education Center of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, who gave him direction in his studies and missionary work and his mentor, Professor Vachaspati Upadhyaya, Vice Chancellor of Lal Bahadur Sanskrit Vidyapith, New Delhi, who inspired and encouraged him at a crucial period in his life, is his guru ji whom he feals very much obliged for all his guidence and blessings.

Most of all, Dr. Shridhar is appreciative of his "dharampatni", Shrimati Shanti Shridhar, whom he wedded soon after finishing high school. She continues to be his best friend, advisor, inspiration, motivator and a steady supporter during all ups and downs of his life. She has displayed remarkable perseverance and strength in sacrifice throughout their wedded life, especially during Dr. Shridhar's many missions to spread the message of Arya Samaj.

Dr. Shridhar's missionary travels have now landed him in Houston. He is excited about the challenges and opportunities the Arya Samaj and the Hindu Community here offer. He is looking forward to spreading Swami Dayanand's message throughout the region and to showing the people how to change their lives for the better. He is setting time aside for children, to give them Naitik Shiksha and a background to a very rich heritage and culture to which they belong. Dr. Shridhar is very proficient in all types of Vedic ceremonies and sanskars, and is available to perform them at homes and businesses.