My article published in the Jain Samaj Europe Magazine celebrating the 50 years of the formation of Jain Samaj Leicester
and 35 years of the installation of Murti of Lord Shantinath Bhagwan at the Jain temple Leicester.
As we celebrate the 35 years of the Pratistha at the Jain Derasar in Leicester, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the monumental impact it has had on thousands of people in the UK. Amongst those were my parents Kantilal and Shantaben Mehta. For them Leicester Derasar was a spiritual home. They would come from London to celebrate any festival in the Jain calendar. They had a special bond with Jayeshbhai. We the children were happy to see them enjoying their spiritual journey augmented by the iconic Derasar.
From a young age I too was fascinated with the Jain concept of Ahimsa. Having arrived in the UK in 1973, I realised that we had to ensure that the future generations did not give up Vegetarianism. I was also concerned that our Gujarati Language was kept alive. Our scriptures say that whatever we undertake we should take into consideration the time, circumstances and the country we are living in. Going by those pearls of wisdom I decided that we urgently needed to start Gujarati classes for children. Thus under the umbrella of the Oshwal Association of the UK the first Gujarati classes in London were started in 1976. My idea was not just to teach Gujarati but to also imbibe in children our cultural and spiritual values. I taught Gujarati for 20 years in Croydon and Tooting on a completely voluntary basis. Those children are now in their 50’s and when I meet them they say that the Saturday Gujarati classes shaped their outlook to life. In 1978 I started the Young Indian Vegetarians Society. In 1990 a massive Vegetarian rally was held in Hyde Park. Today millions of people have become Vegetarians and Vegans. What we are seeing now is a revolution in the eating habits of the people of this country. We began to give Mahaveer Awards to individuals and organisations promoting Vegetarianism, Veganism and Animal Rights. The British people came to know of the amazing precepts of Jainism. For me anyone who practices Ahimsa, is a Vegetarian and aiming to go Vegan is a Jain. That means that we are not just around 60,000 but 5 million in this country! When I met King Charles I asked him if he was Vegetarian. He said he was two days a week. I think now he also is Vegan one day a week. So soon our King will also be joining Jain Dharma! For 40 years through the coldest of winters and hottest of summers I went to schools, colleges, universities and different cities of the UK to talk about compassion to animals. As a group we protested against animal cruelty in factory farms, export of live animals and so many other aspect of animal abuse. For 39 years we have organised a Christmas Vegan Lunch for our English friends. Apart from promoting Vegetarianism this event promotes friendship and mutual respect. I also started Vegetarian Societies in Kenya, Mauritius and in the Indian States of Punjab and Telangana as well as in Delhi. I work closely with Maneka Gandhi who is India’s foremost animal rights campaigner. In 1991 I formed the Jain Animal Sanctuary which donates money to animal sanctuaries in the UK, India and other countries. Over the years we have given away over £400,000 to animal sanctuaries. Jain Samaj Europe has generously supported us for this cause for many years.
I have always believed that it is crucial for our community to play an active role in the society we are living in. Between 1995 to 1997 I was chairman of Croydon Economic Forum. I was Governor of Croydon University for six years. In 2004 I served as one of the directors of Compassion in World Farming. For many years I volunteered to provide food for the homeless. I am a Patron of Animal Interfaith Alliance. In 2011 I was appointed to serve on Croydon Task Force in the aftermath of riots in Croydon. I received an MBE in 1999, in 2002 I received an award from Ken Livingston(the then Mayor of London) for making a significant contribution to London. I have also received the Ahimsa award from the Institute of Jainology.
I have written the following books:
1 Future in Our Hands
2 A request from the people of India from the Vegetarians of the World.
3 Benefits of Vegetarianism to Africa.
4 Nitin’s Kenya Days.
5 Easy Gujarati.
6 India a civilisation the world fails to recognise.
7 Ancient India’s Imprints and Influences on the World.
I have passionately defended India, our Dharma and heritage in the national media in this country. My letters and articles are regularly published in the media. My advise to young people is that everyone should have two careers. One to earn a living and the other to do something good for our Jain Sashan.
Nitin Mehta
30 May 2023
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