________________
together all the four sections of Jainism in India lender one religious flag at Delhi on the occasion of these celebrations goes to Shri Shantiprasadji Sahoo. He earns great credit for publication of "Samansuttam" also.
Great Interest for Learning in Jainism:
The All India Oriental Conference was held at Benaras in 1968 under the auspice of Benaras Sanskrit Vishva Vidyalaya (University). There was no programme for Jainism there at. When Shantiprasadji came to know this, he took immediate steps and arranged for inclusion of discussion on Jainism and top ranking learned personalities in Jainism were invited specially for taking part in them.
He has either established or given big donations to the following institutions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
·
Prakrit Research Institute, Vaishali (Bihar)
Syadvad Mahavidyalaya (college), Benaras. S. P. Jain College, SasaramNagar, Bihar Non-violence Expansion Committee, Calcutta
Varni Sanskrit Vidyalaya (school), Sagar
Sahoo Archaeological Museum, Devgadh
All India Digambar Jain Holy Places Committee, Mumbai
Digambar Jain Committee
Sahoo Jain College, Najibabad
Indian Art Jain Research Institute, MoodBadri
Shraman Jain songs Propagandist Sangh(Karnatak)-Delhi- (inspired by Mooni Vidyanandji) Other religious works:
Veer Nirman Bharti- He granted prizes to all the Jain learned personalities without discriminating of their sect or beliefs-through this institution
There was hardly any religious celebration at state or national level in which he has not directly or indirectly remained present and provided guidance, leadership and special help during his last 25 years of life.
⚫ He respected all learned and dedicated personalities of Jainism. He attended their lectures and preaching discourses even by time out of his busy schedule of other engagements. He took active part in discussions on philosophy, spirituality, daily activities of an ideal Jain, family life of a Shravak etc.
He always raised his voice where there was injustice to the cause of Jainism in his capacity of a prominent leader of Jains of the whole of India and got the matter rectified by taking active interest.
Last Days:
Shri Shantiprasadji Sahoo had great real and enthusiasm at the time of the celebrations of 2500th day of Lord Mahavir's departure from this world to heaven and he had suffered much strain for the success of these celebrations. The body, however, takes its own course. In these days, his beloved wife RamaRani expired on July 22, 1975. He had her life long cooperation, inspiration and love. He felt this blow very severely. He tried to face these calamities, but he was taken over by heart disease and he was taken away from this world on October 27, 1977. Lacs of eyes shed tears. Jain community all over India passed condolence resolutions. The whole Jain community and especially
172