Book Title: Jainism and Democracy
Author(s): Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: I A S S Jain Conference New Delhi

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Page 183
________________ 170 JAINISM AND DEMOCRACY the past when the individual found himself weak, incomplete or incapable of doing some things singlehanded. He required assistance of every stage, but the technical development of the present age has changed the scene. A man with money in the pocket can go every where and can get anything done without depending upon the external co-operation. The combined effort has been confined to factories and political or economic organizations. As far as the man of the street. is concerned his external dependants is reduced to the minimum. He can take his meals in a hotel, purchase a railway ticket and go any where and so on. Even for amusement he is note required to care for anybody else. He can purchase a television set and enjoy music as. well as dance sitting alone in his room. Thus combined effort and combined amusement which were the foundations of social organizations and which were known as Sanskriti in the past, have lost their importance. A scientist giving the picture of intellectual man of the future presents it as follows: He will have a big head, tiny hands and feet with narrow chest. He will be always engrossed in the meditation and will not require to move hands and feet as well as the company of other people of the society. Switching on and off a button will fulfill all his requirements. A pill of food will satisfy his hunger for a long period. We do not intend to dwell upon the probability of this picture of the future man. But we are not sure whether it is indicative of a progress and retrogress. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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