World again looking towards India for guidance, says PM
   Date :17-Nov-2020

Vijay Vallabh Surishwar _
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the statue of Jain Acharya Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji Maharaj (Statue of Peace) in a video conference at Rajasthan’s Pali district. (PTI) 
 
NEW DELHI :
 
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India has always shown the path of peace, humanity, non-violence and fraternity to the whole world, which is now again looking towards our country for this guidance. “India has always shown the whole world the path of peace, non-violence and fraternity. These are the messages for which the world gets inspiration from India. For this guidance, the world is once again looking towards India,” Modi said in his speech on the 151th birth anniversary of Jain Acharya Vijay Vallabh Surishwar. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also unveiled the 151-inch ‘Statue of Peace’ of Acharya Vallabh via video conference.
 
Unveiling the statue, the Prime Minister said: “I am fortunate that the country gave me the opportunity to inaugurate the world’s highest ‘Statue of Unity’ of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. And today, I am getting the privilege of unveiling the ‘Statue of Peace’ by Jain Acharya Vijay Vallabh ji.” Pointing to the ancient India, he said: “Some big saint has been there in our country in every period (of time), who has given direction to our society. Acharya Vijay Vallabh ji was such a saint.” In a way, Modi said, Acharya Vijay Vallabh ji started a campaign to make India self-reliant in the field of education and laid the foundation stone of many educational institutions in tune with Indian values in States like Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. “Reiterating his stress on ‘vocal for local’, PM Modi requested that as happened during the freedom struggle, all the spiritual leaders should amplify the message of “AtmaNirbharta” and preach about the benefits of ‘vocal for local’,” according to a release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
 
The statue unveiled in the honour of the Jainacharya has been named as ‘Statue of Peace’. The 151-inch tall statue has been made from Ashtadhatu i.e. 8 metals, with Copper being the major constituent, and is installed at Vijay Vallabh Sadhana Kendra, Jetpura, in Pali, Rajasthan. Mentioning the educational institutions established by the Jainacharya, the Prime Minister praised his efforts to make the country “AtmaNirbhar” in the field of education as he established many institutes imbued with Indian values in various States. He said these institutions have given so many industrialists, judges, doctors and engineers who have given yeoman service to the nation.
 
The Prime Minister underscored the debt that the country owes to the efforts of these institutions in the field of women’s education. “These institutions kept the flame of female education alive in those difficult times. The Jainacharya established many institutions for girl children and brought women to the mainstream. The life of Acharya Vijay Vallabh ji was full of kindness, compassion and love for every living being. With his blessings, Bird Hospital and many gaushalas are running in the country today. These are not ordinary institutions. These are the embodiment of the spirit of India and the hallmarks of India and Indian values,” he said.