International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

Page 18

AHIMSA INTERNATIONAL IN
RETROSPECT
A band of enthusiasts had the missionary zeal to establish an institution which in course of time may develop into an organisation to propagate Ahimsa and Vegetarianism on national and international levels. Thus, came into being the organisation "Ahimsa International" on January 26, 1973 with the blessings of Dr. D. S. Kothari, former Chairman of the University Grants Commission and a great scientist and educationist of the country and with the late Smt. Om Prabha Jain, Ex-Finance Minister of Haryana State as the first President and Shri Satish Kumar Jain as the Founder Secretary-General.
Dr. Kothari is one of our patrons. The other patrons are: Sahu Shriyans Prasad Jain, Shri Shrenik Kasturbhai. Sahu Ashok Kumar Jain, Shri Dharam Chand Jain, leading industrialists and philanthropists, Dr. L. M. Singhvi, the internationally renowned jurist, Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade of Dharamasthala and Shri S. S. Backliwal, a leading jeweller and Rotarian. Shri Backliwal served the organisation as President from August 27, 1978 to February 26, 1984. Shri M. R .Jain, an industrialist, is now its President since February 1984.
Shri Jainendra Kumar, the famous Hindi writer, Shri Yashpal Jain, renowned Gandhian writer, Shri Akshay Kumar Jain, former Chief Editor of NavBharat Times and Prof. Padmanabha S. Jaini, Professor of Buddhist Studies in the University of California are our distinguished honorary Members.
Among the objectives, Ahimsa International aims at the creation and fostering of international brotherhood, peace, spirit of mutual understanding and love among the people of the world, to propagate the theory and practice of Ahimsa (Non-violence) and Vegetarianism, to promote culture, literature and archaeology, to help the destitutes, needy and helpless; to establish Chapters, Foundations, Chairtable Trusts and Educational Institutions for the furtherance of objectives, to take delegations to foreign countries and to invite delegations from there for the promotion of Ahimsa, Vegetarianism, culture, fine arts etc.
Service to suffering humanity is the field to which Ahimsa International attaches considerable importance. On several occasions, medicines, aid equipment and other articles have been provided to sick and disabled persons and