Pratap Bhogilal Journey Through Life

Author(s): Rauf Ahmed
Publisher: Bhupendra Singh Anand

Page 87

THE JOURNEY
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her to offer my vandana and invite her to be a Patron of World Jain Confederation. I was happy at her agreeing to my request. I was tremendously impressed with her humility and her concern for all life - human, animal and plant. Her work in Kutch in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Gujarat, where she and her sadhvis were amongst the first to rush to help the bereaved families has been exemplary. They provided medical help and she and her group of sadhvis did tremendous work for alleviating the sufferings of the people of Kutch after the 2001 earthquake and put up schools in tents and hutments to educate the children affected by this tragedy without any distinction of caste or creed.
A few years ago, in 2004 Pujya Acharyashri had invited me to the inaugural function of a school at Jhakania near Bhuj.I was amazed to see the school building there which was hi-tech and environmental friendly. The function was a grand success but I was particularly impressed by a 5-year-old Muslim boy (whose family was affected by the earthquake) giving a fine short speech in Hindi before a crowd of about 2000 people. Pujya Acharyashri has been regarded as savior and highly respected for her dedication to such nation building work.
Veerayatan has done similar work in Bihar for the last four decades and more - putting up schools, colleges and hospitals. She is loved and respected by all, and in Bihar she is known as 'Mataji'.
Veerayatan believes in looking ahead and in the next five years projects worth around Rs. 500 crores are planned and beyond five years, projects for schools around many of our Tirth dhams and backward localities are in the conceptual stage. It is our desire to take Veerayatan at a global level.
I am really gratified at my association with Veerayatan and her influence has made me more service oriented.
Aamby Valley
In 2005 I had an occasion to visit Aamby Valley and I was so charmed
The tragedy of America is that it has put a man on the moon, but doesn't know why. -
Norman Mailer