International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

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

Page 19

children, food, sweets, woollen jersies etc. to Lepers, sewing machines to the needy women, monthly scholarships to the needy families and children for education, and building material for village schools etc. Ahimsa international has made a standing offer to all the large hospitals in Delhi to recommend suitable cases for defraying the cost of blood transfusion and life-saving drugs. It proposes to provide medical and equipment assistance to the sick and disabled persons on permanent basis.
During the 2500th Nirwan year of Bhagwan Mahavir in 1974-75, the programmes presented by Ahimsa International before the audience have won it spectacular popularity. It has presented devotional music in a modern way in its classical character with aesthetic fervour. The rendering of dance sequences by famous artists on the life and philosophy of Tirthankaras and the Buddha and on the Bhajans of great poets have been arranged at various places.
A significant achievement of Ahimsa International is the production of Ballet on Bhagwan Mahavir by Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, a renowned dance and music institution of the country. It was presented on three days on November 27, 28 and 29, 1974 at the Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi and again on the pressing demand on December 26 and 27, 1977. The press and the public appreciated the lyric verses and superior performance of the artists, choreogaphy, music and light effects. A bold venture, it opend new dimensions for presenting religious themes in appealing classical style which hitherto were considered unstageable. On the pattern of this Ballet many associations and institutions prepared and presented the Jain Ballets.
Honouring and extending recognition to the scholars and bringing together persons of the various fields have been the endeavour of Ahimsa International. Various large and small functions have been organised to honour the distinguished scientists, scholars and those persons who have established large hospitals in the country and those Doctors who are providing medical and social service of a high calibre.
Ahimsa International has taken up with the Government of India, with the institutions and individuals the need for propagating vegetarianism as a movement and the need for opening separate kitchens and hotels for vegetarian food. A letter written to the Ministry of Tourism has been circulated to all the hotels and restaurants of the country for necessary action. This organisation proposes to further the cause of non-violence and vegetarianism and has approached the Government to reform its nutrition policy and food service to the patients in hospitals, to stop open display of meat-food and for showing compassion to animals.
Suitable literature is also proposed to be brought out and adequate publicity intended to be made about the positive harm and ill effects caused