ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 498

The growth of figures shown in the chart clearly indicates the contribution of the boarding houses towards the spread of education among Jain community. Another aspect is noteworthy is that the Boarding Houses and Shravikashrams started by D.B.J.S. became the hearts of educational development of Jain community. As of today these Boarding Houses with their vast expansion of land became centres of educational, social and cultural activities in the Jain community in South India. All these boarding Houses are now in the heart of the main cities mentioned above and therefore by today's standard they are worth crores in terms of property. Because of the well planned systems the wealth generated by these centres through commercial complexes will help educational upliftment of the rural Jain community for generations to come.
Management of Boarding Houses:
As per the Constitution (1907 &1963) of D.B.J.S., President was responsible for the work of Sabha and under his guidance all committees were working. The Chairman is an important figure in all the activities and indirect head of D.B.J.S. A man who was from many years actively associated with the work of D.B.J.S. was selected as a Chairman. Treasurer was head of economic activities of the sabha and all boarding Houses are under his control for financial activities. Regional section of sabha has independent Mahamantri who looked after affairs of Boarding Houses in his regions like Pune, Belgaum, Hubli, Mumbai, Aurangabad and Kolhapur.
Every Boarding House had a superintendent, who was responsible for daily routine of the Boarding House such as discipline, office work, problems of students, financial management, correspondence, building and related activities. Every Boarding House had a chairman and a Secretary from local social workers of Sabha. Kolhapur boarding house has long tradition of eminent superintendents like Annasaheb Latthe (1905-1914), Bhaskararao Jadhav (1920-21), Dr. A.N.Upadhye (1946-48), Prin., G.K.Patil (1976-77), D.A.Patil (1986-1997) etc. Kolhapur and Hubli Boarding Houses were celebrated their centuries very successfully.
Management is organizing monthly meetings for maintaining the discipline in every Boarding houses. Management, religious education, earn and learn scheme, mess, gymnasium, library are under the control of student committee and superintendent of Boarding Houses. The social and cultural activities of boarding houses include monetary and other help to the needy, like famine struck people. Many students are involved in the activities include annual Paryushan Parva, Lord Mahaveer's anniversary, Vijaya Dashami celebrations, annual gathering, lectures for personality development of the students, annual sport meets, career guidance and counselling, inter college elocution contests, slide shows on social issues etc.
FINANCIAL ASISTANCE, EDUCATIONAL FUND & SCHOLARSHIPS: Financial Assistance - D. B.J.S. and Boarding Houses were maintained by the financial assistance of the well to do people and on the amount of interest derived from funds voluntarily subscribed by the rich persons in Jain Community. In 1905-1906, Rs 1, 75,000/- were collected as a fund and Chh. of Kolhapur gave grant of Rs 300/-. per annum to institution.(R.A.K.S., 1905-1906, P-57), up to merger of Kolhapur state.
The workers of the Sabha used to go from house to house explaining the aim of the Sabha and appealing to the people for giving help to education fund. For this purpose a novel idea was worked out, in initial stage. The donor declared donation but keep money with him as 'Sabha's deposit and pay interest on that per year at a fixed rate. (Jain Mitra 4th Year, 8th Issue, 1903:12)
Also collection of corn fund' and 'Paisa fund' was implemented by the students of Boarding Houses. For this selected students arranged tours to different villages. They gave lectures on the Jain religion and collected foodgrains and money from farmers for their Education (Sangave: 1976:91-92). Through this programme, a student, Bhau Paygonda Patil (Karmaveer Bahurao Patil) developed himself and established the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha at Satara in 1919. This was a revolution in the educational field of rural Maharashtra. 'Earn and learn scheme' implemented in these hostels was also a unique feature at that time. Afterwards this was used by K.Bhaurao Patil as a special feature of Rayat Shikshan Sanstha Satara and has now become key word in every university of Maharashtra for the education of poor students, the workers of sabha collected funds for students by visiting door to door in every village and the process is still in practice.
Fund and Scholarships: -- From the inception of the Boarding Houses Scholarships are provided to the needy students. After the completion of their education they have to pay all money back to the Sabha after they started earning. Students can use the money without any interest till to the earn. This provision enabled poor and village students to stay at the cities and complete the Higher Education. From 1921-1975, 5 lakhs were used by rotation scholarship fund. In 1975, it moved upto 5 to 16 lakhs of Rupees.
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0