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(xii)
It is not that the Jains do not have resources. They are, by far, one of the wealthiest communities in the country. It is also not that they are not willing to spend on such noncommercial enterprises. They, in fact, spend lavishly on various religious and secular benevolent activities. What is needed is just the willingness to rechannelize the resources and activities.
It is time some serious efforts were made to create an infrastructure for continued, concerted, and organized Jain research in various fields. The attitude of devoting all resources and energy exclusively to religious or ritual activities will have to be changed. The scattered Jain organisations could form an apex body, if not for all activities, at least for Jain archaeological and historical research. It should have non-sectarian structure and should be professionally managed. Its primary and intial role should be to co-ordinate the research work already being done and assisting wherever needed. Such organization could also effectively co-ordinate between Jain organisations and universities or other government bodies. This could be the first step towards creating the much needed infrastructure that is almost absent in the field of Jain historical research. Then only the Jains will be able to rewrite their history in a wider perspective with a scientific outlook.
JAIPUR
OCTOBER, 1996
Jain Education International
SURENDRA BOTHARA
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