________________
THE DEVELOPMENT OF JAINISM
105
Owing to the break-up of the community in a large number of endogamic castes, a decrease in numbers is observed, but a number of reforms are carried out under the leaders of the community and wide proselytising activity goes on in those regions, where in Independent India emphasis is laid on speedy development of economics (mainly in the eastern regions of the country). This is accompanied by finance-cooperative support to the new members of the community. All this led to an increase of 25% in its members in the last 10-15 years.
In spite of the fact that Jains constitute only 0.46% of the . population of modern India, they play a noticeable role in the life of the country, occupying several key positions in its economy.
