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Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
are written in Prakrit dialects and at a later period Sanskrit and various modern Indian languages are used by the Jains (Shah 1948: 196-206).
There were so many renowned writers in Jain Marathi literature, namely Pandit Meghraj, P. Surijan, Gunandi (15th and 16th century), Chimana Pandit, Vishalkriti, Padmakriti, Mahichandra, Mahakirti, Devendrakriti, Bhimachandra,
Ratanasa, Ratnakriti, Dilsukha, Samavanshi, Tukoji (17th to 19th century). In 20th century lot of writings and criticism is available in various writings, Ph.D. thesis and M.Phil Dissertations in various universities of Maharashtra.
JAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND SCHOLARS:
Dept. of Jainology, University of Bombay, Sourashtra Kesari Pranguru, Jain Philosophical and Literary Research Centre, Mumbai; Virayalam and Shrut Mandir, Pune; H. M. Jain Chair, University of Pune; Bhagwan Mahaveer Adhyasan Kendra, Shivaji University; Kolhapur; Anekant Research Centre, Bahubali.
Among the Jain research scholars who have rendered distinguished services to Jain studies mentioned may be made of Prof. A.N. Upadhye and Prof. Vilas Sangave, Kolhapur, Prof. Hiralal Jain, Nagpur, Dr. Subhashchandra Akkole, Jaysingpur etc.
INSTITUTIONS FOR SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
The small Jain Community in Maharashtra has been split up into several divisions, sects, sub-sects, made efforts to perpetuate these divisions by establishing large number of associations and institutions for the benefit of Jains and non-Jains. Some of them are: Jain Association, Akhil Bhartiya Jain Swayamsevak Parishad, Jain Yuvak Sangh, Bombay; Bhartiya Jain Sanghatana, Pune works for socio, economic and Educational upliftment, Jain Seva Mandala, Nagpur, Chaturvidha Dharmashala, Sakharam Nemchand Jain Aushadhalaya and Jain Eye-Hospital, Solapur are in local character works in humanitarian ground to serve the people.
Other Jain Institutions in Maharashtra are: Jain Jagruti Centre, Central Board Charitable Trust, Jain Social group international federation, Bharat Jain Mahamandal, All India Shwetambar Jain Conference, All India Sthankvasi Jain Conference, Mumbai; Jain Mahajan, World Jain Confederation, Jain International Trade Organization ; Akhil Bharatiya Vardhman Sanskriti Dham, Vardhaman Sanghkriti Pariwar, Viniyog Pariwar Terapanth Jain Bhawan etc.
Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha: established on 3rd April 1899 for socio-religious and educational development of Jains in South India. P.P. Lakshmisen Bhattarak of Kolhapur and educated Jain Youths took lead in its establishment (Chougule 1988: 35). Chh. Shahu encouraged Jains to establish a Jain boarding house at Dasara Chowk. Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha is the only institution which expanded its educational activities through establishing boarding houses in Maharashtra and Karanataka for below poverty line. Nowadays, it is running boarding houses for the benefit of the students at Kolhapur, Sangli, Ichalkaranji, Belgaum and Hubli, four Shravikashrams at Kolhapur, Sangli, Aurangabad and Kagal and one Gurukul of Kesapuri. Mahila Parishad, Veer Seva Dal, Veer Mahila Mandal, Graduate Association, Karmveer Bhaurao Patil cooperative bank are its full pledged branches (Patil 2013:19-42).
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