PM Modi conferred with title of 'Dharma Chakravarti' at centenary celebrations of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday was conferred with the title of 'Dharma Chakravarti' at the centenary celebrations of Jain saint Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj.
'On this occasion, you honoured me with the title of 'Dharma Chakravarti'. I do not consider myself suitable for this. But it is our culture that whatever we receive from saints, we accept it as 'prasad'. So, I humbly accept this 'prasad' and dedicate it to Maa Bharati,' PM Modi said during his speech.
The centenary celebrations mark the formal commencement of a year-long national tribute to the spiritual leader, being organised by the Union Culture Ministry in collaboration with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust, Delhi.
Talking about how today's date is special as Acharya Vidyanand Muniraj received his title on this very day in 1987, which represented a 'pavitra dhaara' connecting Jain culture to ideas of restraint and compassion.
'This day is also special because on 28th June 1987, Acharya Vidyanand Muniraj received the title of 'Acharya'. It wasn't just an honour but it was also a 'pavitra dhaara' connecting the Jain culture to ideas, restraint and compassion,' PM Modi said.
'When we are celebrating his 100th birth anniversary today, it reminds us of that historic moment. On this occasion, I bow to the feet of Acharya Shri Munirajji. I pray that his blessings are with us always. People, these centenary celebrations are not just any normal event. It has the memory of a time period and the remembrance of an ascetic life. Today, to make this moment memorable, postal stamps have been made, for this too, I greet the people,' the Prime Minister added.
During the celebrations, PM Modi, along with Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, unveiled the commemorative postage stamps in memory of the Acharya.
Talking about the history of India, the PM Modi added, 'India is the oldest living culture of the world. We have been immortal for thousands of years because our ideas are immortal, our thoughts are immortal, and our philosophy is immortal. The source of this philosophy is our sages, saints and acharyas'
Earlier today, PM Modi, along with the Union Minister Shekhawat, attended an exhibition titled 'Life and Legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj,' which featured paintings and murals depicting the leader's life.
The centenary year will be observed from June 28, 2025 to April 22, 2026, with a range of cultural, literary, educational, and spiritual initiatives across the country, aimed at celebrating the life and legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj, according to an official statement from the ministry of culture.
The Acharya was born on April 22, 1925, in Shedbal, Belagavi (Karnataka). He received his initiation at a young age and went on to become one of the most prolific Jain scholars of modern times, having memorised over 8,000 Jain Agamic verses. He has authored over 50 works on Jain philosophy and ethics, including Jain Darshan, Anekantavada, and Mokshamarg Darshan. He travelled barefoot across Indian states for several decades, strictly adhering to Kayotsarga meditation, brahmacharya, and extreme austerity.
He was instrumental in the restoration and revival of ancient Jain temples across India, including those in Delhi, Vaishali, Indore, and Shravanabelagola, and was closely associated with the Shravanabelagola Mahamastakabhishek and the 2600th Janm Kalyanak Mahotsav of Lord Mahavira. He identified the site of Kundgram (now Basokund) in Bihar as the birthplace of Bhagwan Mahavir, a finding later recognised by the Government of India in 1956.
The centenary year will feature programs across India, focusing on community engagement, youth participation, interfaith dialogue, temple outreach, and Jain heritage awareness, ensuring that the timeless message of Acharya Vidyanand Ji reaches future generations. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Railways face glitz or safety option
A fatal accident and a major project delay has reignited issues that have plagued the Indian Railways. Earlier this month, as many as 5 Mumbai commuters were killed when two overloaded trains travelling in opposite directions came dangerously close on a turn between two suburban stations. Those hanging out on footboards brushed each other and many fell off. In an unrelated development, three giant-sized tunnel boring machines (TBMs), on order to drill an underground route for a 21-kilometre stretch of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, have been held up at a Chinese port. The ground breaking ceremony for the project was performed way back in September 2017 by Prime Minister Modi and then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. However, issues mainly related to land acquisition have slowed the project. Now, the TBMs have added to the delay. Built in Guangzhou, China by German tunnelling specialist Herrenknecht, they were to reach India by October 2024, but clearance from the Chinese authorities has not come. Meanwhile, project cost has almost doubled to Rs 1.08 lakh crore, and completion of the new rail corridor has been pushed back to 2029. The massive Mumbai suburban train accident, and the lack of funds for improving safety, on the one hand, while huge funds are allocated to what P Chidambaram called 'vanity projects' like the Bullet Train', is triggering serious debate. Mumbai's death trap It is indeed a scandal that Mumbai's rail network has become a death trap. Suburban rail accident figures show 51,802 people died in accidents over two decades from 2005 to 2024 – an unacceptable 7 deaths every day.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
4 death penalties secured, 458 cases fast-tracked in a yr
Lucknow: As part of its 'Operation Conviction' campaign, the Uttar Pradesh govt has secured four death penalties and fast-tracked 458 cases of heinous crimes under the new criminal laws since July 2024. These include death penalties for four criminals in Badaun, Hathras and Kanpur Dehat, life imprisonment for 10, over 20 years' jail for 19, and under 20 years' jail for 425 offenders. Total number of convictions secured in the last two years, since July 2023, has crossed 97,000, officials said. Union home minister Amit Shah hailed UP's legal efficiency at the Central Zonal Council meeting in Varanasi earlier this week and termed it as a model for the country. Director general, prosecution, Deepesh Juneja said swift trials, robust evidence presentation, and video testimony helped fast-track convictions and saved Rs 25 crore through reduced court appearances. "The transformation of UP under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is drawing national and international praise. Since July 1, 2023, due to the govt's zero-tolerance policy on crime, the state's 'Operation Conviction' has secured over 97,185 convictions," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "The swift implementation of three new criminal laws and fast-tracking of 458 key cases since July last year have bolstered this drive. Union home minister Amit Shah lauded these efforts in the recent CZC meeting in Varanasi," Juneja added. "Effective implementation of the three new criminal laws is not only propelling UP towards a crime-free status but also setting an exemplary model for the entire nation. At least 458 heinous cases registered under the new laws have seen convictions. These include death penalty for four criminals, life imprisonment for 10, imprisonment of less than 20 years for 425 offenders, and over 20 years' imprisonment for 19 others," he said. "The prosecution effectively presented evidence and witness testimonies, making full use of the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to strengthen and expedite the judicial process. The govt also ensured witness protection, systematic evidence collection, and timely presence in court — all essential elements of a fair trial," he said. "Since July 1, 2024, effective use of digital documentation and witness statements via video conferencing has taken place in the hearing of 25,000 cases across the state. This significantly reduced the need for police and govt witnesses to appear repeatedly in court, resulting in an estimated cost saving of Rs 25 crore for govt," he said.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Resolve to make India a world leader by 2047: Amit Shah
Godhra/Gandhinagar: Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah on Saturday called upon India's youth to resolve to make the country a global leader by 2047, marking 100 years of independence. Speaking via video link at a development programme for Shri Govind Guru University in Vinzol near Godhra, Shah emphasized national pride and historical legacy. Paying tribute to tribal freedom fighter Govind Guru, Shah said, "Around 1,512 tribal brothers and sisters were martyred in that struggle against the British, and Mangadh (Gujarat) became an important place in the history of India's fight for independence." He added, "Our youth and children should make a resolution of creating an India where it attains the first position in every field in the world when the country celebrates the centenary of its independence. " Shah highlighted that the idea of Govind Guru University was conceived by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat CM. Infrastructure projects worth Rs 125 crore were launched, including a centre for excellence, sports complex, synthetic track, football and cricket grounds, artificial lake and hostel. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad In Gandhinagar constituency, Shah inaugurated several development projects across Sanand and Bavla talukas. In Adroda village, he unveiled a model cooperative complex under the Model Cooperative Village initiative, housing a bank, community hall and health centre. In Juwal village, Shah inaugurated a new primary school building with eight modern classrooms and sanitation facilities, benefiting 387 students. He also opened a panchayat house in Fangdi village and participated in a tree plantation drive at Oxygen Park in Sanand GIDC. During a meeting with Sanand GIDC industrialists, Shah encouraged CSR initiatives. Ajit Shah, president of Sanand Industries' Association, said, "It was a fruitful meeting… The Union minister has assured us that the govt is committed to resolve any issues affecting the industry." Residents welcomed Shah with flower showers and chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" during his visit.
