BIRTH DAY CEREMONY OF ACHARYA MAHAPRAGYA AT RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN
On the occasion of 85th birth day of Terapanth Acharya, Shri Mahapragya Ji, President Abdul Kalam at a simple ceremony urged the countrymen to take active part in social development of the masses. He appealed to people who go for worships, prayers and darshan of dharm-gurus to accept at least one of the following pledges in the larger interest of the nation and in the name of the God:
1. To keep away from corruption and bribery.
2. To avoid quarrels between familis and family members.
3. To withdraw court cases concerning family differences.
4. To support five students for their studies.
5. To build tank for water storage in villages on community basis.
6. To plant at least five fruit-bearing trees.
The President desired that religious saints and gurus should themselves take these pledges so as to motivate the devotees also to follow the same sincerely. The ceremony was attended and addressed by eminent religious leaders, including Muni Shri Lok Prakash Lokesh and Muni Shri Prashant Kumar from Jain Terapanth, Swami Jitatmanand, Maulana Vaheedudeen, Swami Bal Gangadhar nath, Jilani Ashraf saheb, Jagatguu Shiv Kirti and others. Many members of Parliament and eminent citizens also attended the function. Dr. L.M. Singhvi, M.P. and Chancellor, Jain Vishwa Bharati presided over the function.