Book Title: Comtemporary Jain Legends
Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram

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Page 159
________________ brought out, several educational activities were started, service centers were opened, holy places and Jain temples were renovated, new temples were built, new coins were brought out, artful photographer, albums and things of art were also published and put up for the public. The celebrations were completed on grand scale in India and many foreign countries. The publication of high quality Jain literature and propagation of the principles of Jainism in foreign countries were the main achievements of these celebrations. To provide facilities for study to the outstanding Jain students, and help the poor women of Jain community Jain students, several arrangements were made for this purpose. The institute named "Jain Gruh Udyog" Jain cottage industry contributed very much for the development of poor class, especially women, of Jain community. Rankaji was very much interested for the uplift of youth and students. He had deep faith in the power of youth. He published a book titled "Dhan Kamavani Kala" ways to earn money and thereby guided the youth of Jain community to be self-supporting. He started Jain Vidya Pracharak Mandal for expansion of education at chinchvad near Pune and other similar institutions at Chandvad near Ahmednagar and other places to help the Jain students to prosecute their study. He arranged for scholarships to the outstanding students and opened helping centers to guide them. He gave his special and timely services in Anuvrat movement. (A religious movement). Acharya Tulsi arrived at Ahmedabad in 1967 to pass his monsoon and Shri Rankaji was requested to take the leadership of this movement. Shri Rankaji said that if Shri Ravishankar Dada accepted to be the President, he would be ready to work as vice-president of this movement. At last, Ravishankar Dada accepted his request and then Shri Rankaji worked as Vice President of this movement for four years from 1968 to 1971. He made this movement prevailing all over India. Alongwith thus, he started a fortnightly periodical titled AnuVrata and it became very much popular. It was considered to be an authentic and most creditable. It was welcomed all over Jain community. This is an outstanding evidence of his working with alround efficiency honesty and hard labor day and night. Last Journey: Shri Rankaji served the nation, society and Jainism for more then five decades. He passed away peacefully on December 10, 1977 at Pune. He has left his lofty ideals for the youth of the present age and we are all grateful to this person for many years to come. 159

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