Jain Community

The Jain community has put up an impressive show of its formidable buying power by driving home 186 high-end cars after securing discounts of Rs 21 crore. This "one-of-its-kind deal" with luxury automobile brands like BMW, Audi and Mercedes was pulled off by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO), its vice president Himanshu Shah told PTI on Saturday. JITO is a not-for-profit community body with 65,000 members from across India, he said. These 186 luxury cars, each priced between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 1.3 crore, were handed over to their owners across India between January and June this year. JITO's nationwide drive helped our members save Rs 21 crore in the form of discounts, said Shah. He said the organisation was just a facilitator and did not profit from this deal. The majority of the cars were bought by Gujarat-based Jains, Shah added. It all started when some JITO members suggested leveraging the community's strong buying power to secure heavy discounts from carmakers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday India is the most ancient living civilisation of the world due to the immortal ideas and philosophies of its saints and seers. Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Jain spiritual figure Acharya Vidyanand Maharaj's birth anniversary here, PM Modi paid rich tributes to his contribution in different fields and asserted that his ideas have inspired the government's welfare schemes. Be it providing house, drinking water or health insurance, the government is ensuring saturation coverage of its welfare measures so that no one is left behind, he said. PM Modi also referred to the preceding speech of a Jain seer, noting that he was apparently blessing Operation Sindoor. The prime minister's mere mention of "Jo humein chhedega" brought massive cheers from the audience but he did not dwell any further on the issue. He said India introduced the world to the strength of "ahimsa" (non-violence) when it used violence to quell violence for thous

A 3-year-old girl in Indore, diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, was administered the Jain ritual of 'Santhara' with family consent

This is one of the most important festivals for Jains across the world marking the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the last Tirthankara

After adopting the ascetic life, such people relinquish all material possessions, even cut ties with family

Guru Purnima reminds the eternal value of knowledge and study as well as esteemed Gurus who selflessly share their expertise with the rest of the world

Members of the Jain community disguised themselves as Muslims and visited markets of old Delhi a day before the festival of Bakrid to buy dozens of goats to 'save' them

Akshaya Tritiya or Akti or Akha Teej is a huge celebration for the Hindu community, falling between April and May and celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaisakha

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday greeted citizens on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti and asked everyone to pledge to spread love and harmony in society. She said Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir -- the epitome of "non-violence and compassion". "This festival gives us the message of love and peace. Lord Mahavir showed the path of non-violence, celibacy, truth and renunciation for creating an ideal and civilised society," Murmu said. His teachings will always remain relevant for the welfare of mankind, the president said. "On this occasion, let us pledge to spread love and harmony in the society and work with dedication for the development of the nation," Murmu said. "On the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially to the Jain community," she said in her message.

Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife have taken a vow of renunciation (diksha) to commit to "Saiyam Jeevan" or the way of Jain ascetics

An eminent Jain community leader has launched a digital detox campaign from the California State Assembly, which witnessed the first-ever Mahavir Jayanti celebrations. The celebration at the State Assembly in Sacramento on Monday marked the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir and highlighted the importance of peace, compassion, nonviolence, and love, a media release said on Thursday. Jain spiritual leader Lokesh Muni flew in from India to attend the event along with leaders of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America or JAINA, Prem Jain, its past president and Biren Shah, its director. The birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism, is being organised in the dignified atmosphere of the California State Assembly, that too in the glorious presence of California State Senator and Assemblyman," Lokesh Muni said. "The philosophy of Lord Mahavira is very significant and relevant. It is relevant today as it was useful in the past. Solutions to many global

The Gujarat government said that Buddhism is an independent religion and conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism, or Sikhism must receive prior approval from district magistrates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tribute to Sant Shiromani Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj, who attained Samadhi on February 18