Jain Digest 2014 11

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 18

JAIN DIGEST
DAILY NEWS
People In News EXTRA
Dr. Kumarpal Desai
Well-known gujarati writer, reporter, thinker, trustee of Gujarati Vishvkosh (Gujarati Encyclopedia), international, Scholar of Jain Dharma Padma Shri Kumarpal Desai has written 80 books in Hindi and Gujarati on Jainism. He has lectured on Jainism in many countries and has guided 20 students (including some sadhus and Sadhvis) for their thesis for Ph. D. He was the Dean of Gujarat University for many years.
Recently, Jain Vishva Bharti in Ladnu, Rajasthan has recognized his many achievements and accorded him special honors by naming Dr. Kumarpal Desai as the Professor Emeritus of Jainology Department of Jain Vishva Bharti. He is the first person to receive such recognition by Jain Vishva Bharti. Jain Vishva Bharati is the only institution
Shrenik bhai Kasturbhai
Leading Jain philanthropist and head of Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi Shri Shrenik Kasturbhai, son of Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai passed away on June 19th, 2014. He suffered diverticulitis rupture a year ago and was operated in emergency. But he was in good health during last year and was working from home.
Gandhian values, simplicity and service to society was his main motive. He worked a lot for Jain community. He is known as prominent leader of Jain community. Shrenikbhai was into social work for last fifteen years. Prior to that he was contributing in the areas of finance and overall strategy. All present companies of Lalbhai Group - Arvind, Atul, Anil Starch were started by his father Kasturbhai Lalbhai, and now they are prospering with fourth generation.
His activities contributing to education, religion, art and museums, charitable institutions will be continued.
Jain Community accorded minority status: On January 27th, 2014 the Jain community was accorded minority status by the central government which will enable them to avail of benefits in government schemes and programmes. The Jains became the sixth community to have minority status after Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis. Once recognised as a minority, Jains would get a share in central funds earmarked for welfare programmes and scholarships for the minorities. They can also manage and administer their own educational institutions. The community is already enjoying minority status in some states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan but the new decision extends that status across the country. Numerically, the Jain community is small, with a population of about 50 lakhs. Eminent Jain Acharya Dr. Lokesh was present on the historical moment in the Indian Parliament House in New Delhi, along with India Cabinet minister for minority affairs Shri K. Rehman Khan, Cabinet minister Shri Shriprakash Jaiswal, MP Shri Jai Prakash Agarwal and other prominent Jain leaders were present. In the program nine Dikshartis inspired by Munishri Namramuni ji were also honored. Honoring nine Diksharthis Acharya Ji said that felicitating Diksharhis in Parliament house is a wonderful event for India and the world this will inspire youth to adopt self controlled life style preched by Jain religion.
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AUG- NOV 2014