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IV. Social upliftment programs need to be taken up more and more at grass roots levels in rural and urban areas to cater to the basic needs of people. Peace cannot be built up on empty stomachs, ailing bodies or stressed minds. Charitable hospitals, schools, colleges, bird clinics, wild life sanctuaries, cow protection centres need to be started and run by philanthropic institutions at local levels. Their benefits should not be confined to one community only but should be open to all the needy sections of the society.
5.
At Peace with Nature:
Conflict transformation would acquire firmer roots also when humanity looks at nature with respectful and friendly eyes. In this task all faiths have an important role to play. Instead of indiscriminate plundering of nature's resource base, humankind should take to the path of farsighted conservation and judicious exploitation Jain scriptures put a lot of emphasis on it:
"Take from the earth only what you need: The Mother Earth will then be able to serve and support life longer"
After oil, water threatens to emerge as a crisis commodity in the 21st century creating more and more inter-state or inter country conflicts and irritants. There is a lot of water in oceans and rivers and yet there are grave shortages of drinking water, water for other uses and hydroelectric power. Around 75% water of rivers flows down to the sea unused. Water based development projects need priority handling.
Our religious and spiritual leaders have brought to the Summit waters of our holy rivers. Let this not become a mere tokenism. Let this arouse awareness in the world for taking both preventive and curative measures to protect our rivers, to regulate them, to conserve their water and use it for the benefit of the mankind.
Jain Education International
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner
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