Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter announcing that he would soon unveil the 'Statue of Peace' in Rajasthan. The statue, commemorating the life and work of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj is being installed at the Vijay Vallabh Sadhana Kendra in Jetpura and will be inaugurated via video conferencing.
"At 12:30 today afternoon, will unveil the ‘Statue of Peace’ to mark the 151st Jayanti celebrations of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj. Do watch the programme," Modi tweeted earlier on Monday.
The 151-inch-tall statue of the Jain monk is reportedly made from 'Ashtadhatu' that is to say, eight metals with copper being the major constituent. Born in Gujarat in 1870, Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj had worked relentlessly for the welfare of masses, spread of education, eradication of social evils and more. He wrote poetry, essays, devotional hymns and Stavans in Hindi, Gujarati and Punjabi, and also gave gave active support to the freedom movement and the cause of Swadeshi. Also known as Acharya Vijay Vallabhsuri, he led an austere life as a jain saint, working to spread the message of Lord Mahavira. He passed away in Mumbai on 22 September 1954.
Vallabhsuri placed heavy emphasis on the need for education and inspired the formation of more than 50 educational institutions of eminence, including colleges, schools and study centres that remain operational across several States. Among others, he founded the Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya in multiple cities and the Parshwanath Umed Mahavidyalaya in Falna as well as the Atmanand Jain College and the Atmanand Jain High School in various cities.
