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of ethical values in the society and to grasp the true spirit of Ahimsa by practicing compassion, tolerance and cooperative togetherness.
Despite stay abroad for four decades in a hectic diplomatic life, if my interest in religion, philosophy and spiritualism has not flagged, but consistently grown, the credit goes to the highly motivational and deeply rooted religious and cultural upbringing I received from my father Pannalalji and mother Fateh Devi I also owe a lot to the steadfast spiritual, strength and courage displayed by my wife Rani despite exposure to variegated political, social and cultural environment during my long diplomatic career which took us to different continents, climates, cultures and civilizations of the world. In particular it was a difficult but at all times fascinating and rewarding experience to stay vegetarian despite many constraints. We cherish happy memories of many incidents, which strengthened our resolve to stay vegetarian, some of which have been narrated in some chapters of this book.
As never before Jain Community stands face to face with a challenge as well as an opportunity. The need of the hour is to forge stronger bonds of unity and harmony among different sects and traditions of Jain religion in order to present a unified and cohesive picture of Jain philosophy to Indian as well as global community.
This book is an endeavour in this direction and if it inspires Jain community abroad and in India to actively takes up the task of interpreting the compassionate. Jain philosophy in terms of its wider and beneficial applicability to humanity and the universe, I would feel amply rewarded.
The first edition of this book was published by Kund Kund Jnanapitha, a well-known Jain Research Institution at Indore in Madhya Pradesh (India). I was delighted that it was very well received in India and abroad. I feel greatly honoured that
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner
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