Despite having so many affluent people, we do not see a single institute for the welfare of the community
[Editor’s Note: This is Part 34 (The Stature of Jains – Part– 3) of a series of articles based on a pre-partition book named “મારી સિંધ યાત્રા” (“منهنجي سنڌ جو سفر”) in Gujarati authored by a scholarly Jain sadhu Shri Vidyavijayji, narrating his experiences of Journey and his Stay in Karachi for about 2 and a half years between 1937 and 1939. It would be advisable to click on the Introductory Article and read it to better understand the series. – Nasir Aijaz, Editor Sindh Courier]
Vimal Shah, Mumbai
Deficiencies of the Jain Community
Despite having a Jain population of about three and a half to four thousand in Karachi and having affluent people having wealth of ten lakhs or two lakhs or one lakh, we do not find any single permanent large project sponsored by any gentleman singlehandedly. The Jain community of Karachi neither owns a Sanatorium where a sick person can stay for the betterment of his health, nor a Bhojanshala where a travelling Jain can get good meal for two to four annas, nor a Dharamshala where one can keep his luggage and stay with sense of ownership. Nor a low-rental tenement where a poor person struggling to manage his family of five to seven persons with a salary of twenty-five to thirty rupees can live, nor an independent dispensary where a poor widow can get medicines for her only child, nor a cooperative credit society or credit society to support a middle class person, nor a High School or even a Primary School where Jains can impart religious teachings apart from the modern education to their children. Despite having so many affluent people, we do not see a single institute for the welfare of the community. Almost every other community living in Karachi has established the above facilities to extent. Lohanas, Bhatias, Parsis, etc. have established several welfare facilities for their communities. The Jain community is highly deficient in this regard. And that’s the reason today’s Jains remember some of the old-time people whose generosity, efforts, and dedication have resulted in several places of worship and flourishing. Though, there are a few people even today who know how to make the best use of their wealth either openly or secretly and their work is appreciated.
Lohanas, Bhatias, Parsis, etc. have established several welfare facilities for their communities. The Jain community is highly deficient in this regard
One more deficiency we could notice is the lack of dominant leadership. We do not find any impressive leader who can resolve complex issues, resolve difference of opinions in religious or social matters, when required. If such a leader existed, then many of the deficiencies listed above would have been already addressed long ago. I can see couple of such leaders, but they are either traveling most of the time or for some reason they do not make best use of their abilities for the welfare of the community.
Despite all these the management of the activities of the whole Jain community is not bad, considering the present-day scenario. They try to do their best in every situation.
Public Life
Despite a fair population, there are very few Jains taking leadership in the public life of Karachi. Don’t even think of being member of the Legislative Assembly, there’s no Jain participating in the political arena of Karachi. Of course, Bhai Khimchand Manekchand Shah is a Municipal Corporator for the last few years, and he has good influence on account of that.
There are very few Jains taking leadership in the public life of Karachi
Certainly, there are people contributing to National Pride by wearing only Khadi, but who all are actively participating in the activities of Congress is not known. Yes, it’s satisfactory that Manek Bahen, the wife of Sheth Lalchand Panachand takes good part in the activities of congress. She was even jailed during the Satyagrah movement. She is robust despite being old.
Leaders
Most of the Jains, almost all are businessmen, and therefore, a few gentlemen are popular in the business community. Jains are Directors in Banks and such institutes. Certain educated people are employed in Banks and other companies.
They try to contribute their efforts-mind-and money whenever there are opportunities to serve the community
Some of the prominent people in the Jain community are – Sheth Chotalal Khetsi, Sheth Jayantilal Ravji Jhaverchand, Sheth Mohanlal Kalidas Maliyawala, Sheth Kheemchand J. Panachand, Sheth Bhagwanlal Ranchordas, Sheth Shivlal Bhai Bhaichand, Sheth Manekchand Nanji Gandhi, Sheth Shambhulalbhai, Sheth Veljibhai, Sheth Velji Poonja, Sheth Mohanlal Waghji, Sheth Waghji Gulabchand, Sheth Mohanlal Shahpurwala, Sheth Mulji Bhai of Sheth Shantilal Chotalal & Company, Sheth Bhaichand Bhanji, Sheth Maganlal Dharamshi, Shri Manilal Laherabhai Mehta, Bhai Kheemchand Manekchand Shah, Sheth Gangji Bhai Tejpal, Sheth Choonilal Bhoolabhai, Bhai Somchand Nenshi, Bhai Kheemchand Vora, and Dr Nyalchand Ramji Doshi, etc. are some of the leaders popular in the business community. They try to contribute their efforts-mind-and money whenever there are opportunities to serve the community. (Continues – Read Part-35 on Sunday September 10, 2023)
Click here for Part-I, Part-II, Part-III, Part-IV, Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII , Part-VIII , Part-IX, Part-X, Part-XI, Part-XII, Part-XIII , Part-XIV, Part-XV, Part-XVI , Part-XVII, Part-XVIII , Part-XIX, Part-XX, Part-XXI, Part-XXII , Part-XXIII , Part-XXIV, Part-XXV , Part-XXVI, Part-XXVII, Part-XXVIII, Part-XXIX , Part-XXX, Part-XXXI, Part-XXXII, Part-XXXIII
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About the contributor of the series of Articles based on the book
Vimal Shah is a follower of Jainism by birth and is based in Mumbai, India. He is a Computer Engineer and holds a Diploma in Jainology from Mumbai University. He has an immense interest in reading, writing, studying, and teaching Jain Philosophical subjects. He conducts classroom as well as online sessions on Jain Philosophical courses. He continues to study various subjects and remains a student of Jain Philosophy. He has significantly contributed to the Translation Project of the ‘Compendium of Jainism’ from English to Gujarati – an initiative of the JAINA India Foundation. He is also associated with a Project for the translation of Jain Aagams (Scriptures) from Gujarati to English. He has a special interest in the history and preservation of the Jain Heritage in Pakistan. He was part of a Delegation of the Jain Heritage Foundation, New Delhi that visited various Jain Heritage Sites in Pakistan in May-2023.
