Notes and News

Summary

In the April 1906 issue of the Jaina Gazette, the ‘Notes and News’ section opens by announcing that the editor, Mr. Jagmandar Lal Jaini, has set sail for England on 31 March aboard the P.& O. SS Persia. The editors express pride that his journey is motivated by a thirst for knowledge rather than a taste for travel and believe his stay with European scholars will refine his scholarly habits and benefit the Jain community. Although his absence will be felt, they emphasise his past contributions and his unflinching perseverance. The column then criticises men’s neglect of female education and exhorts readers to treat women as equal partners and to support initiatives like Srimati Ganga Debi’s Streegyan Bardhani Samaj, which offers classes for women. It congratulates four new pleaders who passed the pleadership examination and urges them to use their professional training for reform. Lamenting the confusion surrounding the Digambara Jaina Mahavidyala at Saharanpur, the editors warn against hasty reforms and mismanagement that alienate students. Reports from the Sthanakbasi conference at Morvi highlight discussions on female education, unity among Jain sects and social reform and the raising of Rs. 36,000. Another note celebrates the union of the North and South Padmavatipurvaras, whose leaders decided to intermarry to revive dwindling communities. A brief mention praises a Jaina lady in Ahmedabad for building a waiting room at the crematorium in memory of her husband. The section closes by rebutting criticism in the Jaina Mitra, defending the Young Men’s Association’s commitment to religious education and clarifying that it has no secret plans to establish a college.