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Vol. XXVI, 2003
IMPACT OF RELIGION IN THE GROWTH OF....
of Harkor Sethani was the hospital that she built for the poor. She donated Rs. 52,000/- and Nagarseth Primabai Hikabhai gave Rs. 22,250 to the government towards this purpose. From this funds 'Hatisingh Premchandbhai Hospital' was started on relief road. The hospital was inaugurated by the Bombay Governor Lord Eliphinstone who was accompanied by Lady Eliphistone for the occasion. Both praised the various services of Harkor Sethani. On June 12, 1856, Harkor was presented a gold medal and given the title of "Nek Namdar Sakhawat Bahadur"23 The Gaekwad king presented her with Chatra, Shawl, Mashal, Palki, along with her the title of Chobdar24. The government Gazetteer, publishing the News observed that in this country not even the queen of any ruling king had performed such acts of charities and therefore this lady appropriately deserves her title.
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The highlight of the second half of the 19 century was the wide spread changes that took place in every sphere of Indian society. In the field of women's education there was a transition from an indigenous system of education to that of school based modern education system. Initially, the transition in women's education faced resistance from various communities of Gujarat because the new system came in conflict with the prevailing values and ethos of Gujarat society. However, the conflict was effectively resolved by social reformers and voluntary associations from various castes and communities of Gujarat. So one can see how in the Jaina community of Gujarat the religion played a pivotal role in the implementation of modern education for women. The noble ideas embedded in Jainism like equal religious rights to men and women, economic protection for destitute women and ideal of service helped in bringing an effective change in the status of Jaina women. Women were allowed religious freedom and widows were given right to maintenance. This comparative advantage helped them an easy access to modern education. The positive effect of religion in furthering the growth of female education in modern form was a distinct feature found in Jaina community. This provided a critical advantage to women of this community as smooth access to modern education opened the doors of freedom and liberation to them. Also, the study demonstrates how certain principals within religion had promoted progressive movement as in the case of Jainas.
Jain Education International
REFERENCES:
1. Rupram, Mahipatram, "Uttam Kapole Karsandas', 1887, pp. 15-16.
2. Bhattacharya S., Paradigms lost' Economic and Political weekly, Annual No. April 1982 P. 696.
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