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THE ADDRESS OF Danavir Rajyabhushan Sir Seth Hukumchandji, Kt.,
President Jain Education Fund Association, Mysore,
held at Sravana Belgola on 14th March 1925. Revered Sadhus, Brothers and Sisters,
I am immensely joyful for having visited the grand, unique and sacred image of Sri Gommataswami. I am unable to express my sincere thanks to you for the cordial welcome you have accorded to me. I am aware that I am not fit to occupy the chair at this anniversary of the Mysore Jain Sabha. It would have been better if you had given the place to some deserving gentleman of your province. But the warmth and kindness with which you invited me compelled me to accept the offer. This great honour you have done to a resident of Malwa is significant of the love that you, people of the distant South, have for the Jains all over this Bharatvarsha. I need not say much about your land. The ruler of your province has made it one of the foremost states in India in point of education, general welfare etc. It is but natural that the Mysore Digambar Jain Sabha, which forms an important section of His Highness's subjects, should occupy a prominent place in the state. We learn from history that many of the past kings of this province have spent large sums of money in performing Abhishekams to Sri Gommataswami and in repairing and maintaining the temples. They also granted lands for the performance of worship in this sacred place. The present Maharaja evinces keen interest in and shows great sympathy for this place. His Highness has taken great pains to grace this meeting and has graciously rendered much help in the performance of this Mahamasthakabhishekam. I fully hope that His Highness will continue to have great sympathy in future also. Much has been said about the ancient greatness of this place in my address yesterday and in the speech of Mr. M. L. Vardhamaniah, the Chairman of the Reception Committee.
12 Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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