It refers to reports that one more young 17-year old girl from an affluent Jain family in Surat now going to become monk. In November 2018, another young IAS aspirant girl from a very well-to-do Jain family from Surat left coaching-classes become Jain monk. Two other school-going sisters from another affluent Jain family of Surat have finally decided to become Jain monks even though their parents gave them full opportunity for change of mind by sending them for an extra luxurious world tour. Only some time back, a topper in examinations left all materialistic world to become Jain monk.
Leaving materialistic life and adopting spiritualism by become Jain monk does give much required mental peace in present era full of tensions. But if such trend becomes a latest craze amongst intelligent students of affluent families, it will prove disastrous for Jain-community with intelligent minds of the community not coming to serve the country and humanity through their prospective future jobs including top government-postings. Youngsters should first complete their study, and then may join sainthood so that they may be full of practical knowledge gained through studies before joining University of spiritualism. Jain-community should decide to impose an age-bar of say 25 years before allowing youngsters becoming monks. Otherwise central government should intervene by making norm of such age-bar in community-interest.
MADHU AGRAWAL