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THE JAINA GAZETTE on the subject of Ahimsa which is in no way an easy one. We can be sure that the lecturer will make his subject, interesting and give us new ideas and explanations. Before I call upon the lecturer to speak I should like to say one or two words on Ahimsa. The term Ahimsa has become a worldfamous one nowadays. Its importance and potency can easily be understood from the fact that it is adopted as a political weapon by no less a person than Mahatma Gandhi to fight for the freedom of India. Gentlemen, I do not like to stand between yourself and the lecturer and I request Mr. Mallinathji to give us his intellectual treat."
The Lecture. Worthy President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
When I left Madras for Banglore I had not the least idea that I would be called upon to address a meeting here. On my way to Ooty I thought I could break my journey here for a day or two to pay my respects to the venerable Acharya Sri Vijaya Indra Suri Mabaraj and to see my learned sister Dr. Charlotte Krause. According to my programme I ought to have left this place last evening. But yesterday afternoon I received a telegram from Ooty saying that the Conference which I was going to attend was postponed. When my friends were aware of this, they came to me and compelled me to stay with them for a few days more. My co-religionists, the Jains of this place wanted to take advantage of my presence here and asked me if I could deliver a public lecture. I told them that I had not come prepared with any subject. But they would not leave me." You are the Secretary of the All-India Humanitarian League and as such you ought to have made a special study of the doctrine of Abimsa. You can tell us something on that subject.". The invitation was so kind that I could not decline it and the result is that I am before you this evening.
Ladies and Gentlemen! Our worthy president has said so many things about me. I doubt very much if I deserve them
all and if I can really give you any new ideas on the subject. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
