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328
JAINA GAZETTE.
[December
The
and which should therefore be substantially helped and encouraged to widen their sphere of action and scope of work. SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINS is an undertaking of ours which deservedly stands in need of immediate and substantial help; and we are grateful to the learned President for bringing the above useful institutions to the notice of the Jains assembled at Sidh-Vara-Kut.
Mr. Manikchand has struck a true and forcible note in placing his finger on the ill-organised charities of the generous Seths of Indore. They profess to spread education, but have adopted measures which are the least likely to attain that end. The Council of ill-informed Pandits and half-educated Seths which evolved the scheme in which 5 lacs of rupees (about £37,000) have been invested has left the most crying needs of present-day Jainisin severely alone. They are dressing the starving and fast-dying skeleton of Jainism in pearls, jewels, and cloth of gold, but would not place a dish of porridge before it. They are frittering away their monies and energies in empty shows and childish pageants, in unworkable schemes, and unnecessary undertakings.
Female education, social reform, caste prejudices, mismanagement of temple funds, protracted litigation in law courts with reference to places of worship, mutual dissensions and petty jealousies, are matters which we cannot afford to discuss in the limited space at our disposal. Mr. Manikchand has dwelt upon them all strongly, briefly and eloquently.
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He has paid due tribute to the memories of the three great men who parted company with us during the last 6 months, and for whom we observed the signs of mourning in our issues Nos. 6-7, and 8-9.
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The omission of the undignified and cruel treatment which is being meted out to a Jain worthy in the Indian State of Jaipur from the address of Mr. Manikchand is a grievous one. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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