Hon’ble PM inaugurated Commemorative Coffee Table Book on Virchand R. Gandhi at International Conference organized to celebrate his 150th birth anniversary.
Pankaz Chandmal Hingarh, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh & Cultural minister Smt Chanresh Kumari Kotach inaugurating first copy of the 150th birth anniversary commemorative coffee table book written by Acharya Lokesh Muni and Pankaz Chandmal Hingarh in Prime Minister House)
On 26th August, 2013 Hon’ble PM of India Dr. Manmohan Singh & Smt. Chandresh Kumar Kotach inaugurated Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni & Pankaz Chandmal Hingarh’s first copy of the 150th birth anniversary commemorative coffee table book on Virchand Raghavji Gandhi who was a Indian patriot, first Indian economist, first real estate analyst. 20 prominent delegates from India and abroad had attended such seminar due to initiative of Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti. Pankaz Chandmal Hingarh has been credited for maximum latest researches on Virchand Raghavji Gandhi and is often termed as senior authority on Virchand Raghavji Gandhi where he gives credit of same to Sadguru shree Atma Vallabh & P.P. Gurudevshree Chitrabhanuji. Such meet was graced by Virchand R Gandhi’s great grandson, Shree Chandresh Dhiraj Gandhi. At such eve a proposal for Virchand r Gandhi chair at Claremont Lincoln University, California was proposed by North America’s Shree Dilip V Shah & Shree Pravin C Shah. Hon’ble PM gave assurance of his full support to establish Chair for Jain studies in Claremont Lincoln University, Claremont, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Hon’ble PM said that Shree V.R Gandhi has not only played important role in spreading the Jain philosophy but also promoted Indian in different parts of the world. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh expressing his concern over rising incidents of violence and sectarianism said that the need of adopting Bhagwan Mahavir principles of non-violence, peace and live & let live in more relevant in present times. He said development is possible in the country only when peace and harmony is maintained.
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chariperson UPA and President AICC send her message for the occasion. Smt. Chandresh Kumari, Minister of Culture read the message which said ‘I am happy to know that a seminar is being organized to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi on 26th August 2013 in New Delhi. An outstanding figure of the nineteenth century, Virchand Raghavji Gandhi spread the message of Jainism and brotherhood. He captivated the World’s Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893, interpreting Indian culture and religion in its true spirit and content. In the galaxy of Indian thinkers his name will continue to be remembered as an exponent of Jainism.’
The message further read ‘The teachings of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi on non-violence, peace and dedicated service to the community will continue to guide us. I am informed that it is proposed to set up a Chair at Claremont Lincln University, USA for the study of Jain Philosophy. This initiative will undoubtedly inspire fruitful academic pursuit in the area and be a fitting tribute to the memory of this great scholar. I send my good wishes to Dr. Lokesh Muniji and members of the Jain community on this special commemorative occasion’.
Virchand R Gandhi was Indian legend contemporary to Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekanand. He had died only at age of 37 and in Past Govt. of India had issued Postal stamps in his memory due to hard work of Shree Mahesh V Gandhi.
Ahimsa Viswa Bharti has been taking all pain to celebrate Virchand Raghavji Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary on 25th August, 2014 at national & international level and had requested support of Govt. of India in Same. Virchand Gandhi was a youth who advocated nonviolence & universal brotherhood. A brief biography on Virchand R Gandhi was read by Acharya Lokeshji Muni & Padamshree Kumarpal Desai. Mahesh V Gandhi gifted Hon’ble copy of speeches of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi. Prominent National & international Jain dignitaries were overwhelmed by support of Hon’ble PM, Gesture of Smt. Sonia Gandhi, cooperation of cultural minister & initiative of Ahimsa Viswa Bharti. As Swami Vivekanand had P.P. Ramkrishna Paramhamsa, Virchand R Gandhi had Acharya Vijayanandsuriji alias Muni Atmaramji. Actually world renowned Acharya Vijayanandsuriji was invited for 1893’s parliament to represent Jainism but as he couldn’t attend he trained and deputed his disciple Virchand R Gandhi.Muni Atmaramji was originally from Punjab and was born in a Khatri family. His Samadhi mandir is today in Gujranwala and he was revered by all faith followers because he practiced universal brotherhood and taught nonviolence. Virchand R Gandhi had captivated in 1893’s parliament of world religions and at same time as a true patriot defended Indian Culture in such parliament. Atma Vallabh Foundation, Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji, Shree Pravin C Shah (JAINA, VRG) & Acharya Dr. Lokeshmuni (Ahimsa Viswa Bharti) contribution on Virchand R Gandhi has been remarkable.
Dignitaries like Shugan C. Jain, D.K. Jain, Subhash Oswal, Rajkumar Jain (Oswal), Karamjit Singh Dhaliwal, Sobhna Jain, Anand Prakash Jain, Burad and others were present