People should follow Lord Mahavira, says Kidwai

Punjab Newsline Network
Wednesday, 20 February 2008

CHANDIGARH:The universal message of Ahimsa and co-existence of living beings as preached by Lord Mahavira is so relevant in today's context that if we follow it the whole of the world will become a better place to live in.

This was stated by Haryana Governor Dr. A.R. Kidwai while addressing a gathering after inaugurating an exhibition on ancient Jain Heritage on the occasion of Pushpdant Panch Kalyanatamak Pratistha Mahotsav at Digamber Jain Temple, Chandigarh Wednesday.

Dr. Kidwai said that the people following the Jain religion should know the importance of Ahimsa keeping in their mind that it is their prime responsibility to disseminate the message of Ahimsa indifferent sections of the society so as to make it a part and parcel action of their routine life.

He said that the Jain religion is one of the oldest and noblest religions of India which has a rich heritage in form of ancient monuments, idols, manuscripts and artifacts dating back the Christian era.

Recalling his association with the Jain Samaj during his tenure as Governor of Bihar, he said that he had got a number of occasions of visiting and patronizing great ancient monuments of Jainism at Vaishali. While referring to a demand of minority status to Jains in Haryana put forward by the Haryana Jain Samaj on this occasion, Dr. Kidwai assured that the matter would be taken up with the State Government for sympathetic consideration.

The Governor went around an exhibition on ancient Jain heritage put up on the occasion of Pushapdant Panchkalyanatmak Mahotsav organized by Shri Bharatvarshiya Digambar Jain Tirth Sanrakshini Mahasabha at the local Digambar Jain Mandir.

Kidwai admired the efforts of the Jain Samaj in preservation and conservation of country's proud Jain heritage by putting up such exhibitions. The Governor also sought blessings of Upadhya Shri Nayansagar Ji Maharaj during his visit to the Jain temple. A number of persons belonging to Jain Samaj and Jain Munis from the States of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi attended this religious function.