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JAINA EDUCATION FUND ASSOCIATION.
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(iii) To secure, preserve and publish the sacred works of Jaina Literature with translations as far as possible.
(iv) To undertake Jirnod har of the Jaina Mandirs and Tirthakshetras ; and
(v) To undertake the management of other Jaina Charitable Funds and Associations, started with similar objects in Mysore.
You are perhaps aware that the total Jaina population of the Mysore province is only 15,0ɔɔ according to the latest census report; and among them the rich and the literate are very few as compared with our brethren of Northern India. The majority of them are small traders and petty land holders who are unable to afford to meet the costly expenditure of imparting a decent education to their sons and daughters and who therefore take them into their own traditional occupations at a very early age. The poverty of the people is the main reason for the backwardness of the community in Education, and the Association is earnestly endeavouring to help the poor students financially by awarding handsome Scholarships in four grades and in other suitable ways.
Encouragement of education for women in a suitable form is also engaging the attention of the Association which has recognised its necessity and importance in view of the present apalling ignorance of our women and their conservative habits and superstitious beliefs.
The study of Jaina Religion and Philosophy is made compulsory for all students who are receiving help from the Association directly and who are reading in the several institutions subsidised and supervised by the Association. An annual religious examination is being held in Mysore, independently of the Sholapur religious examinations and the successful candidates are awarded prizes and medals.
The Association is making organised efforts to secure the hidden works of the Jaina literature and publish them with translations. It is very sad that many of our people are showing an attitude of indi ference and even opposition towards publishing the invaluable works of our Acharyas, and it is most painful that a number of palm-leaf manuscripts are being eaten by worms and
insects in the mofussil places. When the only visible symbols of Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
