Raipur. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today attended the Maitri Mahotsav organized by the entire Digambar Jain community in Raipur. In the Guru Sharanam – Maitri Mahotsav – Kshamadana Utsav, organized under the auspicious presence of Pujya Aryikaratna 105 Antarmati Mataji Sasangh at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium, MLA Shri Rajesh Munat, office bearers of the Jain community and a large number of dignitaries were present.
Chief Minister Shri Sai presented Shriphal to Pujya Aryikaratna 105 Antarmati Mataji Sasangh on the stage and received blessings. The Chief Minister was honored by wearing the traditional turban and gamcha of the Jain community in the program. On this occasion, the Chief Minister honored individuals who performed excellent work in various fields and also released the logo of Acharya Vidyasagar Kalyan Seva Sanstha.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that Maitri Mahotsav is not just an event, but a sacred occasion for spiritual awakening and purification. The holy land of India has not only been the mother of civilization and culture, but also a living laboratory of spirituality. Here religion is not limited to worship, but is the art of living.
He said that Lord Mahavir Swami gave the message of ‘Jiyo aur Jeene Do’. The essence of the recently celebrated Kshamadana festival is that ‘Uttam Kshama, Kshama to all, and Kshama to everyone’—this is greatness and this is the real message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Jainism has presented this feeling in the most beautiful and profound form.
The Chief Minister said that the Jain community is a philanthropic society and the benefit of its spirit of service will continue to be received by Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister said that the principles of non-violence, non-possession and anekant are the foundation of a harmonious society. I bow to all those saints in the auspicious memory of Pujya Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj and in the auspicious presence of Pujya Aryikaratna 105 Antarmati Mataji Sasangh, who have given direction to the society with their restraint, penance and devotion.
The Chief Minister said that the life-philosophy of Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji is a source of inspiration for all of us. He taught that true religion lies in renunciation, service and self-restraint. It is the good fortune of Chhattisgarh that Acharya Ji spent many years of his rigorous penance here and took samadhi at Chandragiri Tirth.
Shri Sai said that the ideals given by the Tirthankaras of Jainism—Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, Anekantavada, truth and restraint—are not only the heritage of the Jain community, but also the soul of the entire nation.
In the program, Shri Vinod Badjatya, President of the entire Digambar Jain community, gave information about the Acharya Vidyasagar Kalyan Yojana operated by the Acharya Vidyasagar Kalyan Seva Sanstha and appealed to all the people of the society to join this scheme. CII President Shri Sanjay Badjatya also addressed the gathering.
Chief Minister Shri Sai honored Shri Manish Jain for the construction and protection of Jain Tirthas, Shri Vijay Godha for Ayurveda service and Shri Sunil Sangolia for social service. He also released the guru-smriti engraved on silver and the haiku composed by Acharya Shri Vidyasagar, which was engraved on silver.
On this occasion, many office bearers and dignitaries of the Jain community were present. These included Sarvshree Narendra Jain, Yashwant Jain, Ratanlal Badjatya, Sudhir Bakliwal and other distinguished personalities.