Jain Spirit 2003 03 No 14

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 25

COMMUNITY
A Social Revolution
Dhara Kothari reports on the origins and growth of the Jain Social Group, an International
Federation founded by C.N. Sanghavi, which has thousands of members worldwide
LL BIG THINGS START WITH AN IDEA...JUST A youngsters, where single membership is accepted. This is to A small idea, like the Eureka kind. It's as if the mind does a ensure that the new generation is attracted to our social I lot of analysis before it comes up with a solution groups rather than join cosmopolitan associations like Sometimes it works unconsciously, sometimes after a lot of Rotary, Lions and others. We also work in collaboration thinking. In any case, coming up with a revolutionary idea that can with organisations dealing on a similar wavelength like change the way people work or socialise is a great feeling. those promoting vegetarianism or animal welfare," Something like this happened to C.N. Sanghavi, the founder explained Sanghavi. president of the Jain Social Groups' International Federation. I Being a social group, one cannot expect total met him at his home in Mumbai to discover the secret formula. religiousness from the members. It's a social meeting
"The Jain Social Group (JSG) was established on 1 January whereby two things are achieved: firstly, a social get1965," said Mr. Sanghavi. "As I am a chartered accountant by together every month to enjoy an evening out and secondly, profession, the founders approached me to audit their accounts a place where social and business problems are solved. from the first year. After a few years, in around 1975, the "However, we do not directly interfere in any personal or committee informed me about their indisputable decisions to business problems. Only help them at a broad social level." make me the president of JSG. That was the only group at the stated Sanghavi. "The evening starts with a Jain dinner time, with a hundred members. Under my presidency a few followed by an entertainment or light programme such as more groups were formed, as I felt expansion was necessary. dramas, musicals, lectures, movies, picnics and so on. These groups established in Bombay and other parts of India Special Jain programmes are organised during Jain festivals grew in number, upto seventeen in just a few years. I visualised like Paryushan, Diwali and Mahavir Jayanti. The only more rapid expansion and as these groups were functioning exception under the Jain principles is that we permit dining independently, co-ordination was the need of the hour. We after sunset (Ratri Bhojan), as it is nearly impossible to created a federation on 15 August 1980. It was the birth of the organise social activities without it. However, we do make Jain Social Groups' International Federation. The rest, they provisions for strict followers as well," clarified Sanghavi. say, is history. Twenty-two years later the federation has The events are different every month. Some groups are clocked in 235 groups in India and 15 abroad, covering creative enough to take it up as a challenge to better their America, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia with more than programme each month, to introduce something new and 70,000 members in all. Today it is the biggest single interna- exciting. The choices vary from showing movies, dramas, tional organisation of the Jains the world over, a Jain equivalent concerts, musical shows, variety entertainment, fancy dress of the Lions, Round Table or Rotary International.
dances (specially during Navratri) and picnics. None of the The fundamental reason for establishing JSG Federation entertaining shows are vulgar. Every group tries to arrange was to bring all the Jain sects on a single platform. “These a trip to other parts of the country, be they pilgrimage or groups are open to all Jains, irrespective of their sect, language general tourist places. Some even organise trips abroad. or location. The unique thing about JSG is that they accept JSG is a non-profit organisation by nature. “We married couple members only. There are also junior groups for discourage any group from collecting reserve funds. If
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Jain Spirit . March - May 2003
in Education International