Comtemporary Jain Legends

SR No.: 007736
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram
Publication Year: 2015
Total Pages: 183
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, N000, & N025
File Size: 1 MB

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at Danta for the renovation of Jain temples at Delwada. The art of temples at Taranga was covered up from outside. Kasturbhai employed special workers to reopen and renew the artful work. He made several changes to make the temple more attractive. He also got the Jain temples at Girnar, Kumbharia, Dhandhuka and the Jain temple at Shantinath Pole Ahmedabad very well renovated. All these temples were being well administered by the firm Anandji Kalyanji and seeing this very good work, Sir C.P. Ramaswami, President of the Committee for inquiry into religious trusts ad reported and recommended that other Hindu Trusts should also follow the management pattern of the firm Anandji Kalyanji. Sheth Shri Kasturbhai established Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidya Mandir opposite the Gujarat University for the development of Bharatiya Prachya Vidya Indian Ancient Studies and research into as well as publication of old copies of Jain scriptures in co-operation with Mooni Shri Punya Vijayaji in 1955 and it was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963. There are at present 45000 hand-written copies of Jain scriptures. There is a grand museum of artistic items received as presents from various institutions of Western India and prominent personalities along with this Vidya Mandir. The new building was put open in 1985. This institute is an important source of inspiration for the Ph.D. students, scholars and learned personalities on Indian culture. When the accredited personality like Dr. Dalsukhbhai Malvania was appointed as Director of this Vidya Mandir, the Gujarat University has approved it for the study of Ph.D. Dr. Malvania is the foremost scholar and intellectual in the subjects of ancient Indian culture. There was total expenditure of about twenty-two lacs for this Vidya Mandir in those days and Sheth Shri Kasturbhai had donated such a big amount through his many Trusts and thereby exhibited his deep love and attachment of ancient Indian culture. This is praise worthy to the utmost. The work of renovation of Premabhai Hall at Ahmedabad continued for seven-eight years and there was huge expenditure of Rs. 55,70,000 for it. Shri Balkrishna Doshi has planned it with the best of skill and the hall is now considered to be most modern with 975 seats. The Lalbhai Group of Industries has donated Rs. 32,15,000/- for this renovation.
Ardent Sponsorer of Modern Education: Education to suit to this new age is available through Science and Technology. He had already donated two lacs of rupees for the L.D. Arts College in 1929. After this, he established Ahmedabad Education Society in 1935. Shri Anandshankar Bhapubhai Dhruva was its president and Sheth Kasturbhai was the president of the Administrative Committee. It was with the efforts of this committee that Gujarat University was established. For this 100 acres of land was initially Purchased and at a later stage another 525 acres of land was procured. The total cost of this 625 acres of land was seventy lacs rupees. After this, the building of the University was constructed and research institutes were established. There is very great contribution of Sheth Kasturbhai in all these works. He has made large contributions for the following Institutions, which have now become world-famous:
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Ahmedabad Textile Industries Research Association: This research Institute mainly works for textile. It was established in 1947 and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was his honorary Director. The magnificent building for this Institution was built in 1954. The scientists themselves now handle the administration and management of this institute. Physical Research Laboratory: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai established this Institute in 1948 and Sheth Kasturbhai had give his full co-operation and help in this task. Indian Institute of Management. School of Architecture National Institute of Design
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