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The Central Jain Oriental Library
In this connection B. Devendra Prasad Ji is worth remembering as the best helping hand to B. Karori Chand in all his sacred activities. A collection of photographs of all the Jain Pilgrimage places of India was his exceptional service. Upto his last days, he held the post of assistant secretary of the library. After him it was benifitted by the valued services of Shree Suparshvadas Gupta. B.A. upto 1922. A Catalogue of all the publications and manuscripts of the collection in Prakrit and Sanskrit was his commendable work.
In April 1923, B. Nirmal Kumar Jain, the eldest son of B. Dev Kumar, took up the management to himself. Fortunately he got the chance of adding the services of an eminent scholar like Shri K. Bhujbali Shastri as the librarian. He prepared a correct and authentic catalogue of all the books and manuscripts of the library. Publication of anlogies of important unpublished manuscripts into two volumes under the title, “Prashasti Samgrah” was his praisworthy activity which was hailed by research scholars all our India. Translation and publication of Munisubrat Kavya into elegant, eloquant and simple Hindi is another feat of the library.
A new age in history of the library begins with the construction of the present palatial building in 1924. Though B. Devkumar had left a sum of Rs. 2000/- only for the work, it was exceptionaly due to the generous gift Rs. 25000/- by his son B. Nirmal Kumar that such a praiseworthy work was completed. During these years the library progressed speedily towards publication of rare books also. Jnan Pradipika and palmistry, Vaidya Sar Samgrah (with notes), Tiloypannati Pt I., Pratima Lekh Sangrah, Prashasti Samgrah and Jain Literature are the publications of the library so far. The work is now stand-still on account of sacarcity of paper. But 'The Jain Antiquary' reapparred in 1935 and is still regularly satisfying the the mental appetite of scholars.
The library also subscribes a number of periodicals most note. worthy of which are The Kannad Sahitya Parishat Patrika, Prabudh Karnatak, Bharati, Karnatak, Sub-dh, Triveni, Vivekabhyudaya, Sharan Sahitya, Adhyatma Prakash, Shakti, Jai Karnatak Bandhu, Kanthirav, Kishore, Balak; Vishwavani, Viruani, Vir, Jain Darshan. Jain Sandesh, Jain Mitra, Jain Gazette, Khandelwal Jain Hitechhu,
