Address by Governor at the Mahavir Jayanti Celebrations organized by the Bharat Jain Mahamandal at Patkar Hall, Marine Lines, Mumbai
Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu at the Mahavir Jayanti Celebrations organized by the Bharat Jain Mahamandal at Patkar Hall, Marine Lines, Mumbai at 1015 hrs on Sunday, 9th April 2017
श्रद्धेय Acharya Padmanand Ji Maharaj, Muni Mahendra Kumar Ji, all Respected Munis and Sadhvis, Shri Raj K Purohit, Ho’ble Member of State Legislative Assembly, Shri Rajendra Patni, MLA, Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLA, Shri S S Mundada, Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Shri K C Jain, National President, Bharat Jain Mahamandal, Shri Pawan Jain, Shri Tarun Jain, Shri Prithviraj Kothari, Shri Ashok Chhajed, Shri K C Sethi, Shri Pramod Kataria, Shri Ramesh Dhakad, all sisters and brothers,
Good morning and greetings to you.
सर्वप्रथम, तीर्थंकर भगवान महावीर जयंती के उपलक्ष पर मै आप सबको हृदय पूर्वक शुभ कामनाए देता हू !
इस भव्य आयोजन के लिये मै भारत जैन महामंडल का मनःपूर्वक अभिनंदन करता हू.
I was pleased to note that the Bharat Jain Mahamandal has been engaged in social service for the last 122 years and today it is functioning through its 40 branches across the country.
I convey my appreciation to the Mahamandal and its office bearers and volunteers for spreading the message of Bhagwan Mahavir through its religious, social and educational activities.
I was pleased to note that former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee Ji had attended the historic occasion of 2600th Janm Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir in Mumbai.
Sisters and brothers,
I have greatest admiration and respect for the Jain community. They are most industrious people in the world. They are among the most peaceful people in the world. Through countless acts of philanthropy, they have demonstrated that they are among the most generous people in the world. I have come here to tell you that I am proud of you and the entire nation is proud of you.
Sisters and brothers,
Bhagwan Mahavira was born as Vardhamana in a royal family to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala in 599 B.C. in Bihar. Despite all the riches and luxuries at his disposal, he chose to lead a simple life.
At 30 years of age, he left the pleasures of the world and discarded all material comfort to become a monk.
The Janm Kalyanak Mahotsav of Bhagwan Mahavira is a day of great significance – not just for the Jains, but for the entire humanity.
Bhagwan Mahavira propounded a philosophy with the sole aim to improve the quality of life.
He advocated Samyak Darshana, Samyak Gyana, and Samyak Charitra for attaining liberation.
This day reminds us of Bhagwan Mahavira’s five principles, namely Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha.
The concept of Ahimsa given by Bhagwan Mahavir was an entirely new idea, which was not known to mankind until then.
The term Ahimsa has wider connotations. Ahimsa does not mean not killing any living being alone. We must have ahimsa in thought, ahimsa of words and ahimsa in action.
Injury caused by words is more painful than injury caused by weapon. And therefore, we must practice ahimsa in its totality – in words, in thought and in action.
Sisters and brothers,
Mahatma Gandhi was deeply inspired by the concept of Ahimsa as preached by Bhagwan Mahavira.
He promoted the principle of Ahimsa, very successfully by applying it to all spheres of life, particularly to politics.
His non-violent Satyagraha had an immense impact on India. His concept of non-violence also influenced the leaders of various civil and political rights movements such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and many others.
Today once again, we stand at a critical juncture in history. We have heard news of chemical attack on innocent children and we have also heard of counter attack.
Terrorism has become one of the biggest menace to the entire world. Every day we read horrifying stories of violence perpetrated by terrorists in one corner or the other corner of the world. Ahimsa has never been as important or as relevant, as it is today.
Ahimsa, Ahimsa and Ahimsa alone can save the world and put it on the path of peace, progress and development.
Sisters and brothers,
India has always welcomed and respected diverse thoughts and diverse ideas. India never considered ‘My religion is superior than your religion’. Our ancient scriptures wrote ‘Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahudha Vadanti’. Which means Truth is one; Sages perceive it differently.
This respect for plurality and diversity is ingrained in the hearts of every Indian.
No wonder, the people of India welcomed Judaism. The people of India welcomed Zoroastrianism. The people of India welcomed Christianity. The people of India welcomed Islam. The people of India also welcomed and respected Non Believers.
It was Bhagwan Mahavir who gave us the doctrine of Anekanta Vada or multiplicity of views and said that opposites can co-exist peacefully. He laid great emphasis on reconciliation through dialogue and discussion. In today’s context, nothing can be more relevant than this. वाजपेयी जी हमेशा कहेते थे ‘चर्चा का समाधान चर्चा से होना चाहिये’
Sisters and brothers,
Children are the future of the world.
We have to imbibe the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir to the children and youth to make India a ‘Samarth Bharat’. We must create and circulate children’s literature and convey the message of Bhagwan Mahavira to them.
We must also invoke the teachings of Mahavir to inculcate respect for women in the heart of every individual.
We must invoke the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir to end vices like greed and corruption.
We have to invoke the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavira to reduce economic disparity.
I am delighted to know that under the guidance of most revered Jain Acharyas in various traditions, the Bharat Jain Mahamandal is working towards building a society free from violence, exploitation, poverty, caste distinctions, and other social ills. I wish the organization all success.
I am very happy to know that Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated by Bharat Jain Mahamandal as ‘Ahimsa Diwas’.
Sisters and Brothers, before I conclude, I have to make an appeal to the organizers.
Let us try to make Ahimsa Diwas a global event. This day should be observed as Ahimsa Diwas in all countries of the world.
Thanks to the efforts of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, the United Nations declared 21st June as International Yoga Day. Likewise, we must make collective efforts to make Mahavir Jayanti a Day of Non Violence or Ahimsa Diwas at the international level.
As Governor, I assure you of my fullest support in achieving this objective.
I once again wish all my Jain brothers and sisters on this auspicious occasion and seek the blessings of Bhagwan Mahavira for all of us.
Thank you.
Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!