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1905 ]
Foreign Travelling.
325
Ramji collected materials and wrote a paper for the Parliament giving a clear account of the Jain Faith. But the question now arose as to who would represent the Jain Faith in America, who would be a living authority, well versed in the teachings of the Jinas, transported from India to our antipodes to remove any doubts that may arise in the minds of progressive America, who would be found ready and willing to undertake the task and whether the Jain community so lately engaged in internal disputes on the question of foreign travels would be easily moved to favor this question? The learned and wise Muni, after a thorough examination of the question, was of opinion that Mr. Veerchand Raghoji Gandhi may be requested and allowed to proceed to America and he drew the attention of the leading Jains of Bombay to join hands with him. The result was that Mr. Gandhi, duly instructed by the Acharya and unanimously supported by the Jains of Bombay sailed America in 1893, represented the Jain Faith in the Parliament of Religions, expounded the high and sound principles of the Jain Philosophy to the inquisitive Americans and implanted the germs of Jainism on the soil of America. On his return home he was received with due and befitting honors and with a general fraternal and sympathetic feeling which marked a new and liberal phase in the Jain History of. Foreign Travels. Mr. Gandhi went twice again on his missionary tour to America and gained an undying name for himself and the religion which he followed.
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There have been other educated Jains going to England for medicine and law and we are glad to see M. D's and Barristers among our community. In recent years some well-to-do jewellers of Surat and Bombay have had the courage of establishing their firms in Paris and elsewhere and have secured the services of Jains who serve their masters in those distant lands. Much credit is due to the employers for making arrangements for the upkeep of religious observances and the employees are also seen strictly adhering to their religious scruples.
Mr. Deepchand 'Manekchand, brother of the late Seth Tullockchand Manekchand has very recently been visiting several parts of the world on mercantile errands. We are glad to see that our brothers of the twentieth century have not been so nice on this point as those of the latter part of the nineteenth century.
Dr. Balabhai Maganlal Nanavati L. M. & S. of Baroda has, by order, accompanied His Highness the Gaekwar of Baroda in his present European tour and when he comes back we do not expect any opposition or ill-feeling against him.
