There’s no organized congregation which works towards elimination of ill-customs and superstition among women
[Editor’s Note: This is Part 32 (The Stature of Jains – Part– 4) 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
Young Volunteers
Likewise, there are a few young volunteers as well who enthusiastically participate in all the religious, social or activities of compassion or serving Sadhus, etc. Among them are Bhai Fulchand Vardhaman Vasanwala, Manilal Kalidas, Choonilal Chaturbhuj, Shri Mavjibhai, Bhai Talakshi Dawawala, Bhai Bhagyachand Khetshi, Vikamchand Tulsidas, Bhailal Ramchand, Khushalchand Vastabhai, Khimchand Vora, Popatlal Pranjivandas, Master Motichand Bhai, the principal of the Mahavir Vidyalay. Narabheram Nemchand, Nyalchand Kuwadia, Jatashankar Popatlal, Manilal Gulabchand, Manilal Waghji, Manilal Bavishi, Thakarshi Bhai Kothari, Panachand Toliya, Khetshi Shah, Chaturbhuj Velshi, Surchand Khushalchand, Vadilal Chaganlal Gandhi, Fulchand Dalal (Jyotishi), Sheth Khengar Bhai, Master Maghalal, Jagjivandas Kothari, and Bhai Hansraj Tejpal, etc. There are many such people who give their services with their efforts-mind-and money in every activity.
Also read: Jainism: Philosophy of Ecological Harmony and Non-Violence
Activities of Women
As seen elsewhere, you find the women of Karachi leaning and more active in their participation in religious rituals, austerity, etc. as compared to men. There’s no organized congregation which works towards elimination of ill-customs and superstition among women. Women like Samju Bahen Chotalal Khetshi and Manek Bahen Lalchand Panachand are doing good public work towards social reforms of women. But there’s a congregation required for the reforms among Jain women as well.
One thing to feel good about is that Karachi is a city largely populated by Sindhi and Parsi communities
Samju Bahen, Sheth Bhagwanlal Bhai’s mother Maniba, Manek Bahen, Sheth Ravji Jhaverchand’s wife Vali Bahen, and many such mature women are so sensible and religious that they can certainly bring about a change if they work together.
Many women are taking good religious education from the Pathshala. An art-school has been established of which many women have taken and are still taking advantage.
It is a matter of fortune that the Jain women of Karachi have sustained the culture of Kathiyawad, Kutch and Marwad
One thing to feel good about is that Karachi is a city largely populated by Sindhi and Parsi communities. Women of those communities have advanced very much in fashion. Despite living in such a city and among such communities, our Jain community women are not influenced by fashion. If there’s any influence, it’s insignificant. It is a matter of fortune that the Jain women of Karachi have sustained the culture of Kathiyawad, Kutch and Marwad. The reason could be that the Jain girls have stayed far away from the modern English education. Seldom would any girl have studied up to Matric. Despite being away from English education, leave alone Ahmedabad, fashion has created havoc in even the surrounding villages. As compared to that, the Jain women of Karachi are saved from fashion is a matter of pride.
Also read: Siddha Hemachandra – A Great Indian Sage of Jainism
Considering the present time and place, the stature of about three and half thousand Jains among eighty thousand Gujaratis is overall considered high with regard to social and religious aspects. (Continues)
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, Part-XXXIV
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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.
