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230 / JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
dimension. Therefore, another component for prosperity is religious and spiritual partnership. We have considered how this partnership can be developed.
RELIGION: A BEAUTIFUL PARTNER IN THE NATION'S PROSPERITY
Religions are like exquisite gardens, places full of surpassing beauty and tranquillity, like sacred groves filled with beautiful birds and their melodious songs. Religions are beautiful gardens, but they are islands. They are enchanting islets, veritable oases for the soul and the spirit. But they are islands nevertheless. If we can connect all these islands with love and compassion, in a 'garland project', we will have a peaceful, happily and prosperous India in front of us. Universal truths embodied in each religion are very similar and they will help to form the bridge thus reinforcing basic unity. Another fact of today is that the intellectual gap between the opinion-makers and the masses is rather large. The removal of the gap is best done by spreading knowledge and increasing the knowledge base of every citizen in all vital aspects of their lives. As the number of enlightened citizens increases, the ability to cope with and transform problems also increases. In order to achieve this, in addition to concentrating on education of the youth, there is also need for continual education of adult population and senior citizens on values of lives and about the basic spiritual unity of all religions.
Education and intellectual activities are vital. In addition, these values have to be reinforced in every citizen through specific projects, which can bring people together, irrespective of their social levels or religious beliefs.
GARLAND PROJECTS
In order to do so we resolve to undertake the following projects and activities. PROJECT 1: CELEBRATION OF INTER-RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
Every month in all parts of India their can be a multi-religious gathering to convey the core message attempted in the prayer of peace and about the basic truths contained in various religions. Such a prayer should be preceded by prayers from all religions practiced in that part of the country by respective religious and spiritual leaders in the presence of the people. Each month the day selected could be a holy day from one religion: Islam, Hindu, Christianity, Sikh, Parsi, Jain, Buddhist etc. Regular conduct of such meetings by all religious leaders and people from different religions respecting holy days of other religions will send a powerful message. If possible, such gatherings can take place at the
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