Higher Education
By Hem Chandra Rai
Summary
The article emphasizes the critical need for higher education among the Jain community in India, addressing widespread educational stagnation and its societal consequences. It argues that reliance on rudimentary vernacular schooling limits progress, leaving Jains ill-equipped to compete globally. The author highlights declining political and economic influence, attributing it to ignorance and resistance to modern education, which hinders survival in an era of intense competition. Historical examples like the Red Indians and Maoris are cited to underscore the risks of cultural stagnation. The article contrasts the current state of affairs with the Jains' historical prominence in India, particularly during Akbar's reign, when their financial acumen and loyalty secured their prestige. It critiques uneducated business practices and social customs, advocating for education to foster character development, physical health, and organizational skills. The author dismisses fears that education erodes religious values, referencing Japan's successful modernization while maintaining cultural identity. A call is made to establish Jain colleges and integrate religious training with secular education, ensuring alignment with community needs. The piece concludes by noting positive trends among educated Jains, who unite across sects for public welfare, suggesting education as the key to revitalizing the community's intellectual and moral fabric.
Conclusion
This document underscores the critical role of higher education in empowering the Jain community to navigate modern challenges and avoid cultural extinction amid global competition. It highlights the urgent need to move beyond rudimentary education and embrace progressive, university-level learning to foster political, economic, and social resilience. By addressing systemic inertia and self-complacency rooted in ignorance, the community can reclaim its historical prominence and secure its future. The analysis serves as a call to action, emphasizing that without immediate, decisive efforts toward educational advancement, the Jains risk irreversible decline in an increasingly competitive world.