________________
Co-Operation From Sheth Shri Manikchand, J.P.: At this time Premiji came in the acquaintance of Sheth Shri Manikchand. He encouraged and inspired the activities of editing and publishing of several periodicals and books at the hands of Shri Premiji. Shethji had the great credit of all-round services for Jain community. He helped for the development of Jain learning, Old scriptures, Jain places of pilgrimage and Jain students. He produced outstanding students and scholars in Jain community by granting them financial assistance. He was purchased 300-400 copies of all publications of Premiji at three-forth of the published cost and sending them to Jain temples, Jain institutions, learned persons and students. He gave over almost all his property in charity and therefore Premiji established Manikchandra Digambar Jain Granthmala after his death. His Granthmala had donated many books of authority and high level to the society at a very low cost. This institution has been converted to Gnanpith some years ago.
Hindi Granth Ratnakar, Mumbai: Shri Nathuramji Premi established this institute on 24 September 1912 at Mumbai. He was tired of frequent changes in his service and he wanted to create his own source of income, which may be enough for his livelihood. Alongwith this he desired to expand the Hindi literature. He, therefore, established this institute with clean and holy purposes and he got unexpected success in this venture. He became very famous. We can realize this from his congratulatory book. He had wide experience of editing, research and publication and had handled periodicals like Jain Mitra, Jain Hitaishi and other Jain books of importance. He had very good hold on many languages like Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati and Prakrit. This was the first and only series of Hindi books published in western India and it was intended to provide good books at lowest possible price. Premiji sacrificed all his efforts, earnings and talent for the development of this series of Hindi books. The members of his family were also displeased of Premiji's so much interest in this work. Even though Premiji's wife expired suddenly in 1932 and his only son Hemchandra also died in 1942, he continued his work with total dedication. This institute has gave many books of unusual importance to the society, particularly Jain community. The institute observed the following principles very strictly and this was the main reason behind it popularity all over India:
• Only the best books, which may be of much use of the people, be accepted for publication. • To investigate, edit and make research of these books very carefully. • To give high quality of printing with attractive lay out. • To maintain good relations with writers and other publishers. They should not be treated as
customers or competitions but heart-felt friends. This publication house could get "Swadhinata" the famous books of Acharya Mahavirprasad Dwivedi and other well-known books of noted writers like Premchandji, Jainendraji, Chatursen Shastri and Sudarshanji for printing and publication only for its ideals principles of good dealing practices. Even after the rights of the writers had expired, he was giving financial assistance to them in unexpected circumstances of their hardships. As such almost all the publications of this publishing house were sold out very shortly and the publishers had not to ask for or wait for the critical remarks of known critics. In addition to this, the publication hose worked for publishing history books independently and brought out many essays on literature also.
History of Jain Literature: This is a historical work of Premiji. He has discussed Logic (Nyaya), Scriptures (Darshan), Yoga, Grammar, poetics, figures of speech, Linguistics, Law of Karmas (deeds) and many other subjects in addition to the lives of great Acharyas personalities beginning from second century to thirteenth century. He wrote on highly learned personalities, including mendicants, practitioners in religion,
119
