________________
146
THE JAINA GAZETTE deserves in this special number by editing it as the leading article. The whole audience listened to the address with rapt attention punctuated frequently by loud and long continued applause and cheers.
After expressing the best wishes for the success of the conference His Highness left the hall at 10.30 A.M., (see plate 9) and the huge crowds of people vociferously gave vent to their loyal and loving greetings shouting “Mysore Maharaj Ki Jai" as a token of their boundless joy and gratefulness for the great honour that His Highness had very graciously conferred on the entire Jaina community by having kindly opened the conference with an unprecedented and weighty and sympathetic speech. The heart of every Jaina all over India throbs with joy, love and respect and knows no adequate measure of expressing his deep indebtedness for all His Highness the Maharaja's gracious interest in Jains and Jainism.
The conference resumed its sittings at about 11 a.m. under the distinguished presidency of Danavir Rajyabhushan Sir Seth Hukumchandji Kt. A short and studied address of welcome was read (see plate 19) by Mr. M. L. Vardhamaniah, the chairman of the reception committee, (see plate 18) which is published elsewhere in this issue. Then Sir Seth Hukumchandji delivered a learned and stirring address in Hindi, a free English rendering of which we print on page 89. (see plate 11).
A report of the Jaina Education Fund Association giving a brief history and working of it was then read by Mr. Santhiraja Sastriar (see page 82). An appeal was made for donations to the fund of the Association which was responded to generously, the collections amounting to about Rs, 15,000,
The many distinguished visitors who attended the conference by invitation were all garlanded and presented with bouquets.
Among the distinguished visitors who took a keen interest were the well known Amin-ul-mulk Mr. Mirza M. Ismail, Private Secretary to H, H. The Maharaja, Mr. Humza Husein, acting Dewan of Mysore, Mr. K. R. Sreenivasa Iyengar, Ist member of Council. Mr. C. S. Balasundaram lyer, Revenue Commissioner, Mr. H. Lingaraj Urs, Durbar Bakshi, Mr. Krishne Urs, Camp
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com