Selected Speeches of V R Gandhi

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi Godiji Jain Derasar Mumbai

Page 115

the name of the agrarian reforms has deprived us of the Hill and taken possession of it with the object of developing the forest and forest industries. What was achieved by the great efforts of Shri Virchand by appeal to justice in British times, is being set at nought by our own rulers.
Then came the opportunity which made him famous, which raised: Shri Virchand to a very high pedestal of a great exponent of the Jaina religion in the Western world and for which he is dearly remembered by the Jainas. In the year 1893, a great Congress of World Religions was called in Chicago, where leaders of various religions all over the world were invited. Our great Acharya Shri Vijayanandsuri, popularly known as Muni Shri Atmaramji, whose fame as a great leader of the Jaina religion had spread far and wide, was invited by the organisers to attend the Congress. The principles of right conduct of a Jaina sadhu would not permit him to go to America, which he could not do without making use of a steamer. But Acharya Atmaramji Maharaj did want the Jaina religion to be represented in the Congress. He wrote a letter to the Jaina Association of India in Bombay to send some one to represent the Jaina religion in the Congress. The choice fell on Shri Virchand, who had by the time become known for his brilliance, his zeal and study of the religious philosophy and devoutness. His name was approved by the Acharya Maharaj. Shri Virchand then went to the Acharya Maharaj and had special instructions and training in the principles, practice and philosophy of the Jaina religion.
101