Great Son of India Barrister Virchand Gandhi

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I am genuinely happy to present this biography of one of India's great sons, an crudite scholar of the Indian culture and Jainism, and the man who mesmerized the first ever World Parliament of Religions held at Chicago, USA, by his erudition, Barrister Virchand Gandhi. His biography can guide the Indian people even today in the twenty-first century.

In a truly short life of 37 years, this great scholar has left an indelible mark on Europe, USA and India through his seminal thoughts during the period 1890 to 1901. Even Mahatma Gandhi was highly influenced by his thoughts. He is the first person in the modern times who presented Jainism before the world. Through his knowledge of all the religions in the world and his mastery over fourteen languages, he explained the importance of Jain religion and the Jain philosophy on the basis of an independent interpretation. he was the first global level Jain philosopher who had really understood the Jain philosophy and he told the world loud and clear how this philosophy can help the world to live in true peace and cooperation.

His work as a social reformer and as a leader of India's struggle for freedom demonstrates two more wonderful aspects of his life. Indeed, such a person is born once in several centuries. However, it is quite unfortunate that the importance of his work hasn't reached the common people as it should have. This biography is a humble step in that direction I could find numerous books for reference which helped me as reference material in writing this book. I am greatly indebted to these writers. It was an extraordinarily wonderful experience to read Virchandji's original lectures in English.

The role of Hon. Indrakumar Chhajed and Dr. Shailesh Pagariya in getting this book published and thereby bringing the timeless work of Virchand Gandhi is invaluable. I am grateful to them.

I am hopeful that the readers shall welcome this book and shall help in taking Virchandji's brilliant life to all sections of the society. I also wish to thank the founder president of Sarhad Sanjay Nahar for publishing this book through his Chinar Publishers. Finally, I wish to thank author-translator Prashant Talnikar, for the wonderful translation of my original Marathi book into English and Hindi languages. The Hindi version of the book shall be released soon.