Jain Journal 2004 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 23

JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XXXIX. NO. 2 OCT.. 2004
to be given the credit of vegetarianism in the country and especially in the south.
Jainism spread in the country because of the social, cultural, religious and benevolent activities of the Jain-teachers and also because of the establishment of the institutions of four-fold-charity i.e. food, piety and justice, centres for importing knowledge and medicines for the benefit of the less fortunate, poor sections of society in the whole country
Such is the rich, rare and incomparable heritage, which we belong to.
That was yesterday. Today
The Jains in the post-independence period have, true to the history and spirit of their noble tradition, immensely contributed, collectively and individually to the struggle for national independence and building-up of the country anew in the diverse fields of business, industry, banking and mercantile, etc., in the spread of mass education, education and upliftment of women and control of population within the community (vide latest census Reports), personell in all the 3 wings of the services i.e. Army, Air Force and the Navy, plus the I.A.S., I.P.S., 1.R.S. Indian Foreign Services, Medical, Legal, Engineering and other technical professions; teachers in universities and colleges etc., administrators, politicians, journalists, publishers and authors of high repute; hospitals, and general educational and higher research institutions. There would scarcely be a popular area of life and activity where the Jains have not made their mark.
The important fact worthy of note being that it is one of the smallest elite minorities, which has achieved what it has, and which is what it is, on the basis of shere individual and collective merits and the religious and spiritual values they have been inspired and guided by.
And again, over the past 100 years or so, the Jains have spread to most parts of the globe in search for new pastures in business and better career opportunities. They are mostly well-settled either in business as Jewellers and other trades, and as doctors, engineers,