Lighthouse

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Pragna Prabodh Parivar

Page 65

600 house maids in their area. When we were in vihara in Saurashtra, we came across the compassionate activities for the poor families in the Jhalawad (District Surendranagar) area. We also came to know of the horrible conditions of hundreds of labourers working in the salt pans, women becoming widows at young age, labourers suffering from serious ailments etc. and we also came to know of the relief activities undertaken by Jains. Those who saw such suffering people and also witnessed the compassion extended to them had tearful eyes. In Bhavnagar, Jains are involved through their various organizations in providing necessities of life every month to hundreds of poor families. In addition, there is Vadva Jain Bhojanshala, which even today provides full meal for just Rs.4/- and hundreds of poor and middle class Jains regularly have food at this place. It is rare that such arrangements are put in place and maintained. The philanthropy of Jains is behind such activity. Persons who advocate diversion of Devdravya for humanitarian activities will not give such advice once they come to know of the compassionate activities of Jains for alleviating the sufferings of the poor and the
needy. Disregarding all such benevolent activities if somebody still sticks with his stand that instead of using money in religious fields every rupee should be diverted to
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<Lighthouse