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JAINA EDUCATION FUND ASSOCIATION.
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Government are now in favour of sanctioning the bridge and it is our first duty to remit the contribution to Government, as unless we take early steps for this purpose there is no hope of the bridge being constructed at Mandagere in view of some opposition that exists. This is one of the first subjects for our earnest consideration at this Conference.
You will be glad to know that a Committee, on the lines of the Bharata Varsheeya Digambara Jaina Tirthakshetra Committee of Bombay has newly been constituted in Mysore for the Jirnodhar of Jaina Mandirs and Tirthakshetras. Swasti Sri Charukeerti Panditacharya Swamijee of Sravana Belgola is its president and the General Secretary of the Bombay Committee is a Member. The C.mmittee is registered under the Mysore Regulation and is about to commence work. It is now engaged with the question of the Maddagiri Mutt which was once a very influential and highly useful mutt. It is highly gratifying that Brahmachari Dharmasagarji, B.A., has accepted the offer of the Committee. We may be quite sure of the Mutt being restored to its past glory once again under the guidance of the learned Brahmachariji. The improvement of Gommatagiri is also taken in hand and a fund has been started for the purpose which has met with a good
response.
We may be permitted to mention a few details of the administration of the fund. It is governed by a responsible body consisting of twelve members duly elected at its Annual General Conferenee. Mr. M L. Vardhamaniah has been the President ever since it was founded in the year 1918 The fund has so far collected Rs. 26,000 and odd and including the value of the Bangalore Boarding House which is now a property of the Association its assets amount to Rs. 46,372-15-7.
The present financial position of the Association is not sufficient as you can well see, and it requires at least a lakh of rupees to proceed with its programme on a large scale and be of an appreciable influence and usefulness in the community. The institutions which have received your help are in a flourishing condition all over India and we also wish to lay our claims before you and appeal for your help and co-operation. It is needless to Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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