Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, an impressive function was organized by SS Jain Sabha at Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu on the theme “Save Girl Child and Educate Girl Child”.
Speaker Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest on the occasion while the function was presided over by the Minister of State for Information, Education and Culture, Priya Sethi. Among others Legislators Sat Sharma, Rajesh Gupta, Vibodh Gupta, senior BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi, Raj Kumar Jain, president and Raman Jain, general secretary of S S Jain Sabha, members of SS Jain Sabha, Jain Istri Sabha, Jain Yuvak Mandal, Sanskar Samiti Manch and people in large numbers attended the function.
Kanth Kokila, Dr Ruchika Ji Maharaj, who belongs to Jammu, and Vidya Abhilashi, Sadhvi Jinagya Ji were also present on the occasion. They reached Jammu from Surat in Gujarat about a month back after covering distance of more than 2300 kilometers bare footed strictly as per Jain Monasticism.
The Jain ascetics do not use any vehicle for travelling. Whether the weather is cold or hot; whether the road is stony or thorny; whether it is the burning sand of a desert or a burning road, they do not wear any footwear at any time, moving about on bare feet all their life. The reason for not wearing shoes is so that they can avoid crushing the bugs or insects on the ground. While going places, they preach the religion (dharma) and provide proper spiritual guidance to people.
During her stay in different parts of Jammu, Dr Ruchika Ji Maharaj provided spiritual guidance to people from cross section of society. The family members and relatives to whom Dr Ruchika Ji Maharaj had left several decades ago for the purpose of attaining enlightenment also had an opportunity to meet her and Vidya Abhilashi, Sadhvi Jinagya Ji.
Addressing the function at Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Dr Ruchika Ji Maharaj threw light on the life and teachings of Lord Mahavira. She told the gathering that Lord Mahavira’s teachings were based on the concept of self-realization for ultimate attainment of Moksha. “Lord Mahavira taught people how to gain freedom from misery, pain and the cycle of birth and death”, Dr Ruchika said, adding “Lord Mahavira was known to be omniscient, which means he knew everything about past and future”.
Speaking on the occasion, Kavinder Gupta said the teachings of Lord Mahavira have more relevance for strengthening peace and bonds of amity. “In the present times when the society is lurching in materialistic greed, spirituality is the only tool to liberate people from this unending web of self-destruction”, he added.
Minister of State for Information, Education and Culture Priya Sethi exhorted that the teachings of non-violence, truth and compassion enunciated by Lord Mahavira hold great significance in the present times and by following his preaching we can promote world peace and amity.
Highlighting the theme of the function, Mrs Sethi said that education holds the key to women empowerment and progress of society. “Women are playing a great role in social political and economic development of the nation and their contribution is vital for shaping the future of the nation”, she said and emphasized on providing conducive environment for the overall development of girl child.
Earlier, students of Shri Mahavir Jain Higher Secondary School presented various cultural items, which were appreciated by one and all.
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