Then And Now

This document, "Then and Now" by Bhavani Shankar Singh, chronicles the impactful work of the S. S. Jain Sabha, an organization founded eighty years prior to the writing, during a time of colonial rule and widespread illiteracy, superstition, and prejudice in India. Driven by the Jain philosophy of "Right knowledge, Right path, Right character" and a spirit of selfless service, the Sabha was established to provide education and support to the middle-class and underprivileged youth.

The Sabha's foundational endeavor was the establishment of Shree Jain Vidyalaya in Kolkata. This institution is highlighted for its commitment to providing quality education to all students, regardless of class, caste, or religion, without imposing an undue financial burden on guardians. The school is recognized not only for its academic excellence but also for its strong emphasis on discipline and the all-round development of its students, evidenced by its successful alumni who have achieved prominence in various fields both in India and abroad. Despite a contemporary decline in educational standards and character building, Shree Jain Vidyalaya continues to set a benchmark.

The text contrasts the current societal decline in morality, ethics, and respect for integrity with the "generous deeds" of the S. S. Jain Sabha. Inspired by the success of the Kolkata school, the Sabha expanded its reach by establishing separate schools for boys and girls in Howrah, which also achieved significant success.

Further extending its services, the Sabha founded the Shree Jain Hospital and Research Centre in Howrah. This hospital, equipped with modern facilities, has become a vital resource for the poor, regularly organizing health camps for providing artificial limbs, eye operations, and plastic surgeries. An additional school up to the secondary level was also opened in Jagatdal.

More recently, the Sabha ventured into higher and technical education by establishing the Tara Devi Harakh Chand Kankaria Jain College at Cossipore. This college offers B.Sc. (Hons) degrees in Microbiology and Computer Science, affiliated with Calcutta University, attracting a substantial number of students. The Sabha is also actively involved in rural development initiatives in West Bengal.

Embracing the Jain teaching of continuous progress ("charaveti"), the Sabha has ambitious future plans. These include establishing a Dental College with hostel facilities, a Nursing School/College with hospital facilities, a Degree College of Commerce with technical and vocational courses, and an English Medium School with hospital facilities. The author expresses confidence that these projects will be successful, recognizing the determination and devotion of the Sabha's officials.

In conclusion, the author praises the S. S. Jain Sabha for its "indomitable spirit, incredible achievement, and unparallel attitude for the upliftment of the have-nots of the society." The Sabha is lauded as a potential "torchbearer for spreading education among the masses" and its continuous efforts for the welfare of humanity are highly commended. The piece concludes with an expression of admiration for the Sabha and its officials for their outstanding contributions.