Pravas Darshan

This Jain text, titled "Pravas Darshan" (Travel Vision), is a collection of 47 representative articles selected from the larger travelogues "Passport ni Pankhe" (On the Wings of a Passport) Volumes 1, . It is authored by Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah and published by the Shri Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh.

The book compiles Dr. Shah's travel experiences across various countries on all continents. The selection of articles was made to ensure representation of places of interest in countries from all continents, highlighting their beauty, diversity, and novel information. The aim is to showcase Dr. Shah's distinct image as a travel writer.

Dr. R. C. Shah is described as an enthusiastic world traveler who has visited approximately 70 countries on various occasions. His travels have taken him from the Sahara Desert to the jungles of Africa, and from the icy plains of the Arctic Circle to its mountains. He has observed various countries and regions with a clear, pure, and subtle vision, filled with joy, wonder, curiosity, and a desire for knowledge. He presents these experiences in a sensitive, imaginative, and thoughtful manner, using a fluent, smooth, and illustrative style. His travel narratives are characterized by brevity, suggestion, and variety, occasionally incorporating light-hearted, innocent humor without unnecessary elaboration or forced contemplation. His travelogues and his authorial style have been highly praised by critics and readers, securing a special place for him in Gujarati travel literature.

The book is edited by Prof. Jashwant Shekhadiwala and compiled by Dr. Dhanvant Shah. The first edition was published on August 15, 2006, with 416 pages and 500 copies printed. The price was ₹260. The publication is dedicated to Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah and Shri Parmanand Kuvargji Kapadia, described as a guiding light of their organization.

The introductory sections further detail Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah's significant contributions to the Shri Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh, his role in its publications like "Prabuddh Jeevan," and his dedication to organizing the renowned Paryushan Vyakhyanmala (Discourse Series) for 33 continuous years. His thoughtful initiative to support backward organizations in Gujarat through the Paryushan Vyakhyanmala resulted in significant donations and development for those institutions.

The detailed editorial notes further elaborate on the selection criteria for the travelogues, excluding articles from other travel books like "Pradeshe Jay Vijay," "Australia, New Zealand," and "Ranakpur Tirth." The editor also mentions that books focusing on exploration history and research, such as "Everest ka Aarohan" and "Uttar Dhruv ki Shodh-Safar," were not included as they primarily focused on historical and research aspects rather than personal travel narrative.

The book presents 47 distinct travel articles, covering a wide geographical range from India to Turkey, Japan, Egypt, USA, Russia, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and various other locations across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The articles vividly describe natural landscapes, cultural experiences, encounters with people, and the author's personal reflections and insights gained during his travels. The writing style is praised for its narrative flow, evocative descriptions, and occasional touches of humor.