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248: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
In Belgium there is a lively Jain community with a temple in Antwerp. In France, the few Jain families mostly living in Paris have not formed an association and practice their cult at home. French movements in favour of vegetarianism and protection of nature and animals have taken some interest in Jain philosophy.
2)
On social issues and politics
In all the countries where Jains live outside India they have identified themselves with aid and assistance to not only the same adepts but to other people as well. We have seen the social activities of JAINA in the USA and Canada. It lends its support to national and international humanitarian causes. We mention especially their financial and material aids to victims of earthquakes in India, California and Japan.
The political relationship between Jains and American authorities is a positive one. In April 2001, at the occasion of the 2600h Anniversary of Mahāvīra's birth, the Congress welcomed a delegation of Jain lay leaders in Washington. They also received a special audience at the Senate by Mrs Hilary Clinton.
In the United Kingdom we have mentioned the great social activity of late Dr. L. M. Şinghvi during his stay from 1990 to 1997 as formal representative of India. In 1990, Dr Singvhi together with other delegates presented to Prince Philip the “ Jain declaration on nature" that constitutes a formal engagement in favour of principles supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) of which Prince Philip was then the International President. Jains living in U.K. also have excellent relations with the British Government and local authorities.
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