L P Jain Aur Unki Sanket Lipi

This document is a biographical sketch of Shri L.P. Jain (full name Shri Laduram Punamchand Khivesara), a renowned inventor of shorthand systems for seven languages. The authors, Nathmal Duggar and Tejsinh Rathod, present him as a deeply spiritual and dedicated individual who significantly contributed to education and the Jain community.

Key aspects of Shri L.P. Jain's life and work highlighted in the text:

• Personal Description and Character: He is described as having a scholarly demeanor, a radiant forehead due to his adherence to Brahmacharya (celibacy), and bright, intelligent blue eyes. He was known as 'Master Sahib' in Beawar.
• Dedication to Education and Spirituality: For the last forty years of his life in Beawar, he was devoted to the field of education. His selfless service and renunciation earned him the respect and adoration of hundreds of students. He maintained a disciplined routine, waking at 4 am for meditation and study, followed by prayer and physical activity.
• Shift in Focus: Until 1936, his time was largely spent in religious education and administration. Subsequently, he dedicated most of his time to scriptural study, self-reflection, and the development and promotion of Jain shorthand. He particularly enjoyed discussing "Dharma-Shiksha" (Religious Education), "Dharma-Shastra" (Religious Scriptures), and "Sanketlip" (Shorthand).
• Establishment of Educational Institutions: Moved by the lack of religious education in Beawar and the curiosity of the people, he founded a "Jain Pathshala" (Jain School) and a night school for adults. He also established a hostel, thereby creating a comprehensive educational system. Recognizing the need for Sanskrit for higher religious studies, he extended the curriculum from six months to eight years and established "Shri Jain-Veerashram" for teaching Sanskrit, Pali, and Ardhamagadhi languages, along with philosophy.
• Invention of Jain Shorthand: The most significant contribution highlighted is his invention of Jain shorthand.
  • Motivation: He was motivated by the desire to create a universal writing system that could be learned quickly by anyone, regardless of their language. He aimed for a system where characters were simple and few, allowing for efficient transcription of spoken words.
  • Technical Considerations: A major challenge he faced was ensuring that each character retained its distinct form even when combined, avoiding ambiguity. He also sought to minimize pen lifts to enhance speed.
  • Influence of Munishri Jawahirlalji: He was particularly inspired by the powerful discourses of Acharya Munishri Jawahirlalji Maharaj and the desire to capture these invaluable teachings for posterity. The praise for Munishri Jawahirlalji's work by prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi further fueled his determination.
  • Success and Characteristics of the Shorthand: He successfully overcame the challenges, creating a shorthand system that is simple, efficient, and easy to learn. He emphasized that the characters were designed to be distinct and memorable, even after periods of disuse, unlike other shorthand systems that might require expensive pens and extensive practice. A simple pencil is sufficient for writing.
  • Accessibility and Benefits: The Jain shorthand requires no special erudition and can be mastered by an average student in just three months. It is expected to be highly beneficial for court reporters, office workers, teachers, and newspaper correspondents, saving time and improving efficiency.
  • Impact and Legacy: The shorthand system was developed in 1931 and has left an indelible mark on the Jain community and the nation. It is now widely used in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, and other Indian languages, with literature published in all of them. Hundreds of writers proficient in this system are spread across the country, many working as official reporters in state assemblies. It is considered the simplest and most easily grasped among the prevailing shorthand systems in India, with hundreds of young men adopting it for their careers.
• Gratitude: Shri L.P. Jain expresses profound gratitude to Munishri Jawahirlalji Maharaj, whose lectures served as the primary catalyst for this invention.

In conclusion, the text portrays Shri L.P. Jain as a visionary polymath, a devout spiritualist, and a dedicated educator whose invention of Jain shorthand has had a lasting and practical impact on Indian society. His life is presented as an ideal and praiseworthy example, for which both the Jain community and the entire nation owe him a debt of gratitude.