Book Title: Charity Saint Shri Meghjibhai Pethraj
Author(s): Atmanandji
Publisher: Z_Comtemporary_Jain_Legends_007736_STD.pdf

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________________ In his first visit with the Government at Ahmedabad, Meghjibhai expressed his desire to donate seven and a half lacs of rupees for establishing a Cancer Hospital after a short discussion of half an hour. The donations for social service work in Gujarat and Saurashtra total to be more than a crore. Similarly, donations in India and Africa amount to be more than one and a half crores. In additions, the income from the trusts established for these works was also used for regular donations. At the time of talks with Jivraj Mehta, then High Commissioner of India in London, he offered donation of one lac and ten thousand sterling pound for creating Medical College at Vallabh Vidyanagar but the administrators at Vallabh Vidyanagar could not accept this money for some reasons. Meghjibhai never made a plan, which may be beyond his capacity. It may then be a business Venture or a charitable plan. He started primary schools even in Africa. He opened Libraries, he helped many children to pay their fees and purchase books. Thus, the people at Africa were also benefited with the donations of Shri Meghjibhai. There was serious draught in Bengal in 1943. The Indians residing in Africa victims. The contribution of Meghjibhai was very large in this amount. He moved to many places to collect this fund when he suffered several instances of insult and disrespect. He always-started collecting fund with his own donation and when he would write a large amount, others would also donate very freely. He contributed with mind, body and money for creating Gandhi Memorial Academy in Africa. There was hardly any public school or hospital in which there was no contribution from Shri Meghjibhai. He helped the students of Africa for going to foreign countries to receive higher education. He helped them by giving scholarships also. He spent about four lacs shillings for such scholarships. Himself has expressed his feelings at the time of making donations. Here are his words: "I am coming from a small village. I had been abroad before many years to earn my livelihood and I have been successful with the grace of God. I believe that my earnings are not only of mine but the brothers and sisters of my motherland as well as the people of the countries in which I have done my business and other activities have also a share in it and I, in face, pay their share by helping in the works of social necessities according to my ability. In doing so, I do not oblige anybody but I do my duty". By exhibiting so much nobility and broad-mindedness, Shri Meghjibhai has tried to idolize the feeling of trusteeship advised by Mahatma Gandhi. The act of charity is described like this in the seventh chapter of Tattvarth Sootra: Giving away money earned justifiably in quite an ordinary and natural behavior in such a way that it would do good both of the giver as well as receiver. Shri Meghjibhai followed this ideal knowingly or unknowingly in making charity. Personal Life and Journey to Heaven: The contribution of the members of family of Shri Meghjibhai in the making and development of his life was not small. Shri Pethrajbhai, the father of Meghjibhai used to invite relatives and friends to his home for dinner occasionally on the days of festivals and he was pleased to welcome and serve them. His first wife, Monghibai was also much serviceable. She gave birth to a daughter in 1924 and her name was kept as Sushila the one with all virtues. Monghibai was, however, not keeping well and in spite of several medicines, she expired in 1930. This was a painful blow on Meghjibhai of 26. Now, Sushila of six years needed a motherly person in home, and a gold home-woman was also required. As such, Meghjibhai married to Maniben in 1932. Maniben took deep interest in the works of Meghjibhai and always stood by his encouraging him for good works. Meghjibhai had four daughters 166

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