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233 / जैनों का संक्षिप्त इतिहास, दर्शन, व्यवहार एवं वैज्ञानिक आधार'
corrections, eye- operations, founding of burn units, fighting floods and famines, running cattle-camps, providing awareness against diabetes, hypertension, heart-attacks, H.I.V. and AIDS, besides problems of arthritis, gouts of old age and abandonment of family. If we include in our humdrum priorities some of these social services, life would be worth - living, a solace of soul.
The greatest charge against old folks is of being reactionaries, against modern liberal and scientific outlook. Although I feel such charge can be levelled even against youth, making it amenable to one who does not have scientific temper, refuses to grow. Enlightenment is the key. The apparent symptoms of a highly conservative and reactionary outlook are- belief in caste -system and its hierarchy, committing sati, keeping women subjugated, illiterate and ill treated, demanding dowry and committing dowry --deaths, child-marriage, deathfeasts etc, etc.
Some of the following may appear to be modern traits but are equally pernicious dead ill outlook as habits of drinking, over-eating, consuming fat and excessive calories, sedentary life-style, doing little physical work or exercises, walking, 'asans', pranayams, aerobics, squandering wealth in three W's (women, wine and wrangles). One who has to get rid of such dogmatic fixation as early as one can.
'Many things are wrought by prayer than thought of. Meditation is a source of communication with God. It elevates our soul to a higher plane, charges it, with the inexhaustible power-house of all virtues, non-violence, truth, equality, forgiveness, detachment and contentment
