Sometimes, one is searching for a specific book, and sometimes a book is finding a specific person. Perhaps, some among us had the chance to experience this. Mostly, the speciality of circumstances, resulting in such an experience, is not totally in our awareness; we realise them only afterwards.
When I first met Raju S. Shah during Pratishtha Mahotsav at Potters Bar near London, I did not know that he had been the son-in-law of Meghji Pethraj Shah. Meghji Pethraj Shah was an extraordinary man of distinctive sense for others' needs to survive in dignity and respect, and of providing the facilities thereof.
Raju S. ShahOne day later, I got the opportunity to get acquainted with Dr. Paul Marett at the same place. He was delighted to know that we had published his book ‘ Jainism Explained ', and asked me, if I had any knowledge on the biography he had written on a Jain lay follower, having been a benefactor for uncountable people by providing a solid ground for the needy, to put their feet on for survival and education. Noticing the keen interest for this book, he advised me to talk to the family of Meghji Pethraj Shah for permission to publish it in HereNow4U. As far as Dr. Marett himself was concerned, agreement was given.
Dr. Paul Marett
How to find this Shah family amongst the members of the London Jain community? By coincidence, the next day, we, some friends and me, had appointment with Raju at the London V&A Museum, where he showed and explained the Jaina samples to us. At lunch, three people named Shah were present, and as I was still trying to find this Shah family, I drew their attention to the subject.
Lunch at V&A Museum
Not only to my astonishment, Raju said that Meghji Pethraj Shah had been his father-in-law! He promised to provide the book that is no more available in its print version, and to talk to his brother-in-law regarding permission to publish.
Two weeks later, on Samvatsari at Sayer Centre by JVB London, he brought the book together with his brother-in-law's permission for publication.
We are really very grateful for the possibility, to bring the true life of a real, means in day-to-day life, practising, Jain of the 20th century near to our readers, hopefully for your enrichment & inspiration:
‘I shall pass through this world but once.
If, therefore,
There be any kindness I can show,
or any good thing I can do,
let me know it now:
Let me not defer it or neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again.'
