Book Title: Tribute to 19th Century Indian Legend Shri Virchandji Raghavji Gandhi
Author(s): JAINA VRG Committee
Publisher: JAINA VRG Committee
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in South Africa.
VRG & Mahatma Gandhi : And have revealed that in several instances Mahatma (M. K.) Gandhi was misunderstood as V. R. Gandhi. VRG and Mahatma Gandhi were in intimate contacts for vegetarian diet experiments. VRG used to give legal assistance to M. K. Gandhi in preparing legal briefs for court cases. In a 1931 letter, Mahatma Gandhi clarifies to Miss Emelia, Mac Bean of Chicago when she mistook him as VRG.
Revival of VRG : In 1964, then monk, Shri Chitrabhanuji was, pioneer in initiating the celebration of VRG's Birth Centenary. This was done on 25th August, 1964 in Fort, Mumbai where he and others addressed a large gathering. Shri Vallabh Suri Smarak Nidhi played a key role in reviving VRG's contribution in exploring Jainism in the West. In VRG's birth-town, Mahuva, a statue was erected at the Chowk (Square) in 1993 as his Memorial. Jain Center of Metropolitan Chicago has installed his statue at their temple in 1995. The Ohio Historical Society, Ohio, USA had given a big bronze plaque to the Jain Center of Cincinnati/Dayton in 1994 marking 100 years of VRG's lecture in Cleveland on September 18, 1894 mentioning that VRG brought Jainism to Ohio State.
Establishment of JAINA, VRG scholarship Committee : JAINA, established VRG Scholarship Committee in 1997 as homage and in his honor, for advancing, research studies in Jainism and VRG's unpublished literature at recognized Universities/Institutions and Pravinji C Shah Chair, JAINA, VRG committee from last 10 years has displayed tremendous Passion for VRG mission.
Most awaited postal stamp release in VRG honor, due to joint efforts of JAINA and WJC, by the Department of Post of Government of India has been scheduled on November, 2009. JAINA and WJC are planning to convert VRG's birth-home into his permanent memorial-museum.
Param Pujya Acharyashri Vijayvallabhsuriji M.S: This year is truly the year of Acharya Atmaramji, for on 21 February, 2009 a commemorative stamp of Acharya Shri Vijayvallabhsuri, his disciple who led the Sangh after him was released. He carried forward dreams and principles of his Guru by building many education institutions nationwide. Today many Jains globally are