Saint of Ranawas

Author(s): S C Tela
Publisher: Z_Kesarimalji_Surana_Abhinandan_Granth_012044.pdf

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72 Karmayogi Sri Kesarimalji Surana Abhinandana Grantha : Seventh Part which pose a challenge to the educationists of the country and seem to threaten the very foundations of our educational framework. The institutions here work on the ancient Gurukula lines. under the dynamic leadership of Sri Suranaji. Even a casual visitor to the Vidya Bhumi is. reminded of Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of Banaras Hindu University. Dr. D. S. Kothari, Ex-Chairman U. G. C. and at present Chancellor J. L. N. University, who was good enough to pay a visit and spend three days with us two years ago, paid a rich tribute when he observed, "How we wish we could have at least twenty such Ranawas scattered all over the country." But we will need twenty Kaka Saheb for such twenty complexes; and the question is rom where to get themt. i Sri Suranaji is a dedicated disciple of Acarya Tulsi This religious soul spends about 13 hours daily in meditation and other religious pursuits. His daily time table is very rigid where every minute is valuable. He has a wonderful memory and he seldom forgets a person who has met him, or an incident howsoever old it may be. He has learnt by heart Pratikrmana, Pachhisa Bol, Bhaktaamar stotra and Mantras. The accounts, names of doners and details pertaining to donations, resolutions passed or decision taken long ago are all on his finger tips. Kaka Saheb is a man of strong will power and firm determination. He is known for his robust optimism. The word 'impossibie' does not exist in his dictionary. He believes in expansion with consolidation. He always emphasizes that decision should be taken after great care, cool thinking and due consideration of all the aspects, but once the decision is taken he has no peace till it is executed. He is a great builder. The magnificent buildings and the imposing campus bear ample testimony to his engineering skill. He is a practical economist. He follows rigidly the sound business maxim, 'cut your coat according to the size of the cloth. He always says, "Do not touch the capital, utilize only the interest," because one cannot live on capital for long. To him goes the entire credit of building a very strong and sound financial base for the sarstha. Simple living and high thinking, austerity and self denial characterise his life. One really wonder how he manages his household with just Rs. 100/- a month in these hard times when every thing is so expensive. It is because of the various sterling qualities that Suranaji is held in high esteem by everybody. He enjoys a unique place in the Jain community and is rightly called "The Gandhi of Terapantha." He will always be remembered as a great benefactor, a philanthropist, a dadicated selfless worker and a lover of men. . He has completely indentified himself with the lofty ideas of the Manava Hitkari Sangha and has translated the principles of Jainism in actual life and has followed religiously the great teachings of Bhagawana Mahavira. He is indeed an institution by himself. Long live Sri Suranaji ! U