PM Modi to inaugurate Jain saint's centenary birth anniversary celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Jain spiritual leader Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharajs birth anniversary on Saturday the Ministry of Culture said The celebrations will be hosted at the Vigyan BhawanThe event marks the formal commencement of a yearlong national tribute being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust Delhi to honour the 100th birth anniversary of one of Indias most revered Jain spiritual leaders scholars and social reformers the ministry said in a statementThe centenary year will be observed from June 28 to April 22 2026 with a range of cultural literary educational and spiritual initiatives across the country aimed at celebrating the life and legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj it saidThe revered saint was born on April 22 1925 in Shedbal Belagavi now in Karnataka He received his initiation at a young age and went on to become one of the most prolific Jain scholars of modern times having memorised over 8000 Jain Agamic verses the ministry saidHe authored more than 50 works on Jain philosophy and ethics including Jain Darshan Anekantvad and Mokshmarg Darshan He travelled barefoot across Indian states for decades strictly adhering to Kayotsarga meditation brahmacharya and extreme austerityUnion Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Rashtrasant Paramparacharya Shri 108 Pragyasagar ji Muniraj will also grace the occasion the statement saidIn 1975 during the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsav of Bhagwan Mahavir Acharya Vidyanand Ji played a historic role in designing and introducing the official Jain flag and emblem with agreement from all major Jain sects The fivecolour flag and the handinscribed ahimsa symbol have since become unifying emblems for the Jain community across traditions the ministry saidThe Jain saint was instrumental in the restoration and revival of ancient Jain temples across India including in Delhi Vaishali Indore and Shravanabelagola and was closely associated with the Shravanabelagola Mahamastakabhishek and the 2600th Janm Kalyanak Mahotsav of Lord Mahavir it addedHe identified the site of Kundgram now Basokund in Bihar as the birthplace of Bhagwan Mahavir a finding later recognised by the government of India in 1956As a founder of multiple institutions and pathshalas Acharya Ji championed education for young monks and children especially in Prakrit Jain philosophy and classical languagesHe also promoted forgiveness rituals spiritual egalitarianism and intersect harmony through active dialogue the statement saidThe inaugural event will be attended by eminent Jain acharyas spiritual leaders members of Parliament constitutional authorities scholars youth representatives and other distinguished dignitaries from across the countryThe centenary programme will feature a series of tributes and commemorative events including a speciallycurated exhibition titled Life and Legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj highlighting rare archival material photographs milestones and philosophical contributions and the screening of a short documentary chronicling his spiritual journey societal contributions and impact on national consciousnessBesides a commemorative postage stamp and coin will also be released to mark the centenary yearA biographical volume detailing Acharya Jis renunciatory path literary works institutional efforts and role as a reformer will be launched and there will be addresses by spiritual leaders scholars and public figuresreflecting on the relevance of his teachings in todays world according to the statementA keynote address by the prime minister offering a national tribute to Acharya Jis legacy of ahimsa truth and dharma is part of the celebrationsThe centenary year will include programmes across the country focussing on community engagement youth participation interfaith dialogue temple outreach and Jainheritage awareness ensuring that the timeless message of the revered saint reaches future generations the ministry saidThis national observance is not just a celebration but also a solemn call to reaffirm the timeless values of Indian civilisation truth compassion discipline and nonviolence that Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj so powerfully embodied the statement saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever