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PREFACE
The First International Jain Conference was held on 3rd & 4th October, 1981 in United Nations Plaza, New York, USA. Acharya Sushil Kumarji, Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and residents of America had taken keen interest in the Conference with the objective of bringing unity and fostering brotherhood. It was attended by about 500 persons from various parts of the world. It was a beginning in a very good direction for creating a World Jain Forum.
The Second International Jain Conference was held in London on 1st & 2nd October, 1983. The second day Session on 2nd October was attended by about 2500 persons, most of whom were from U.K. 28 delegates had participated from India.
Many papers were read and eloquent speeches were made by delegates from various countries. The discussions were free and frank and several important matters like promotion of Jain ideas and culture and bringing out good literature were taken. I had the occasion to express my views strongly as Secretary General of Ahimsa International, on the need of propagating vegetarianism, prevention of cruelty to animals and publishing suitable literature particularly for the infants and the youth.
The Third International Jain Conference, the invitation for which was given at the London Conference, was held on 8th, 9th & 10th February, 1985 in New Delhi in Vigyan Bhawan, Siri Fort and FICCI Auditoriums of New Delhi. In all, about 2000 persons had attended the Conference including delegates from many countries. About 100 reputed scholars of the country and abroad expressed their frank views on matters of common interest like stronger unity, brotherhood, need to publish suitable literature for the children and grown ups, propagation of vegetarionism, non-violence and prevention of cruelty to animals. Shri K.C. Pant, Shri Abdul Ghaffor, Smt. Mohsina Kidwai and Shri N.V. Gadgil, the Central Ministers, had addressed the Conference on each of the three days. There was great enthusiasm among the participants, the organisers and the speakers in the various Sessions of the Conference.
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