Ek Tha Veer Virchand Raghavji Gandhi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Ek Tha Veer Virchand Raghavji Gandhi":

This article, published in The South Asian Times, celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi, a significant but often overlooked Indian figure of the 19th century. It highlights his contributions to India, mankind, and the Jain community, portraying him as a "brave heroic legend" and a "dauntless patriot."

The article begins by establishing a personal connection between Virchand Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi, in a letter to Miss Emelia Mac Bean in 1931, clarified that while he shared a name with Virchand Gandhi, they were different individuals, though they were friends and had lived together for some time. Mahatma Gandhi also noted that Virchand had helped him understand Indian Law by sharing stories of legal experts.

The central focus of the article is Virchand Gandhi's pivotal role at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago. As the sole delegate representing Jainism, he delivered powerful speeches defending Indian culture and Hinduism against derogatory remarks made by some Western speakers, notably Rev. George F. Pentecost. His patriotic defense earned him widespread applause. The article emphasizes that this event marked the birth of formal interreligious dialogue, with representatives from various religions invited to showcase their spiritual traditions. While many Christian speakers were present, Virchand Gandhi, along with figures like Vivekananda and Dharmapala, captivated the audience.

The article then outlines Virchand Gandhi's multifaceted contributions and achievements:

• A Dauntless Patriot: He bravely defended Indian culture and Hinduism at the Parliament of World Religions.
• Early Indian Real Estate Analyst: He delivered an insightful speech on the land system and laws affecting land ownership in India at the World Real Estate Congress in Chicago.
• Early Indian Economist: He participated as the sole Indian delegate in the International Congress of Commerce, lecturing on trade relations between the USA and India, parcel post, and commercial education.
• A Reformer: He established the "Society for the Education of Women in India," demonstrating his commitment to social reform.
• A Philanthropist: He organized relief efforts during the severe famine of 1896-97, collecting Rs. 40,000 and a shipload of grains from the USA for India.
• A Virtuous Person: He played a crucial role in resolving the Shree Palitana Pilgrim Tax Dispute and successfully advocated for the closure of a piggery near Shree Sammet Shikharji.
• Captivating Public Speaker: He delivered an astounding 535 speeches across the USA and Europe on a wide range of subjects, including Yoga, Occult Science, World Religions, Concentration, the Science of Eating, Astral Vision, Astral Body, vegetarianism, and fundamentals of world religions. His lectures were widely covered by leading Western newspapers, and he received numerous felicitations and medals.

The article also provides a brief background of Virchand Gandhi, noting his birth in an affluent Jain family in Mahuva, Saurashtra. It highlights his ability to master 14 languages and his comprehensive understanding of major world religions. The article points out that he was trained and deputed to represent Jainism at the Parliament of Religions by Munishree Atmaramji, as the latter could not attend.

The article concludes by lamenting that while the contributions of Swami Vivekananda and Dharmapala from the 1893 event are widely recognized, Virchand Gandhi's significant achievements are still not adequately acknowledged. It calls for greater recognition of this "hero" and his immense service to his country, humanity, and community. The article is attributed to Research & Creation by Pankaz Chandmal Hingarh and Chandresh Dhiraj Gandhi.