Jain Community: Achievements, Contributions and Influence

Mahavir Sanglikar

Jain Community Achievements

The Jain community is one of the minority communities in India, constituting less than half a percent of the total population. However, their contributions are significantly larger.

The Jain community’s progress across various fields and their significant influence despite being a small minority is noteworthy.

Jain Community Achievements at a Glance

Here are some of the key achievements of the Jain community:

Literacy: The Jain community has the highest literacy rate in India. The average literacy rate in India is 65.38%, whereas for Jains, it is 94.1%. The average literacy rate for women in India is 54.16%, while it is 90.6% for Jain women. (Reference: Census Report 2011)

Wealth: The Jain community is the wealthiest in India. (Reference: National Family and Health Survey, 2015-16)

Longevity: Jains have the longest lifespan in India. (Reference: Census Report 2011)

Business & Industry

Diamond Industry: Jains dominate the diamond industry globally, particularly in Belgium, which is the largest diamond market in the world.

Wholesale Trade: Jains dominate wholesale trade in many Indian states, especially in the fields of Medicine, metal, food grains, processed food, clothing, stationary, jewelry, and diamonds.

Stock Market: Jains have a significant presence in the Indian stock market, as owners of brokerage.

Media: The Times of India Group, Lokmat Group, Gujarat Samachar, and Matrubhumi Group are owned by Jain families. The Times of India is the largest English newspaper in India and is published simultaneously from 12 cities. Other newspapers from this group include Maharashtra Times, Navbharat Times, Economic Times, and Mumbai Mirror.

Moreover, Jains are stakeholders in many other media houses.

Professional Contributions: Jains have made significant contributions in various professions, as senior administrative officers, managers, fund managers, military officers, police officers, senior judges, scientists, researchers, musicians, music composers, lyricists, film directors, producers, actors, senior journalists, editors, athletes, medicos and chartered accountants.

Social and Educational

Educational Institutions: Jains have established and operated thousands of schools, high schools, colleges, and some universities in India. These institutions are open to all, not just Jain students.

Employment: Jain businesses, educational institutions, and religious organizations provide employment to millions, most of whom are non-Jains.

Goshalas: A large number of goshalas (cowsheds) in India are operated by Jains.

Organ Donation: Jains lead in eye and organ donation.

Givers: Jains donate a lot for noble causes.

Political Influence

Despite being a micro minority, Jains are influencers in the political field, and that is why most politicians respect Jains and Jainism. Jain industrialists and business people significantly influence government economic and industrial policies.

Spiritual Guidance: Leaders from all parties seek the counsel and guidance of Jain monks, especially in North India. Politicians visit Jain monks not for votes but for spiritual reasons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: He has also been influenced by Jainism and follows the core values of Jainism.

Jain Food: Despite being a tiny minority, Jain food menus are available in all good hotels and international airlines. This shows that Jains are influencers.

The enormous progress made by the Jain community is due to many factors. I will reveal these secrets in another article.

Some Famous Jains

Below is a list of some famous individuals from the Jain community, highlighting their contributions across various fields:

The Legends

Other Famous Jains …

Anasuya Sarabhai: Organized the first union of textile mill workers in India.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman: Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air Force, who received Virchakra Award for his bravery and courage in conflict with Pakistan.

Squadron Leader Mohinder Kumar Jain: Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air Force who received Virchakra for his bravery in the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

P. D. Chougule: First Indian athlete to participate in the Olympics.

K Lal: One of the most famous magicians in India.

Rajendra Mal Lodha: Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India

Gautam Adani: Industrialist, owner of several companies.

Shantilal Mutha: Known for large-scale social work from mass marriages to solving water issues. His organization Bharatiya Jain Sanghatna works in various social fields and Disaster Management.

Sanjay Nahar: Educationalist, works for Kashmiri students who lost their parents in terrorist attacks.

Raju Shetti: Leader of farmers, and politician, secured fair prices for sugarcane which helped farmers to prosper economically.

Annasahib Latthe: First biographer of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, and Maharashtra’s first finance minister.

Tarachand Barjatya: Producer who produced several Hindi movies and brought many actors and actresses to the silver screen.

Ravindra Jain: One of the most famous music composers, lyricists, and singers of Hindi cinema.

Kalyanji Anandji: Two of the most famous music composers in India.

Veerendra Heggade: Great spiritual leader for Shaiva, Vaishnav, and Jain communities in Karnataka.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi: One of the topmost lawyers in India.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali: One of the leading Film Producer, Director and Music Composer

Sooraj Barjatya: One of the leading Film Producer and Director

Many more names could be added to this list, but for now, this is sufficient.

	Bhama Shah (1547-1600) is a celebrated figure in Indian history, known for his military leadership, profound generosity, unwavering loyalty, and pivotal role as a general and advisor to Maharana Pratap, the illustrious ruler of Mewar. Born in Sadri, a village in Rajasthan’s Pali district, Bhama Shah’s life and legacy continue to inspire. Read more about Bhama Shah at: Bhama Shah: The Trusted General of Maharana Pratap
Premchand Roychand: Founded Asia’s first stock exchange. He was a businessman, ‘Cotton King’ and ‘Bullion King’, and the richest Indian of his era. You may like to read: Rajabai Clock Tower of Mumbai University. Premchand Roychand was the sole donor of this tower.
	Karmveer Bhaurao Patil: Educationalist, who spread education in rural Maharashtra. He founded Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, Asia’s biggest educational institution.
V. Shantaram: Producer, director, and actor who ushered in the golden age of Marathi and Hindi cinema. Read more about V. Shantaram at: V. Shantaram: His Legend and Achievements
	Dr. Vikram Sarabhai: Founder of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Father of India’s Space Program. Read more about Dr. Vikram Sarabhai at: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai: Father of India’s Space Exploration Program
Seth Walchand Hirachand: Industrialist, and pioneer of the Indian shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing industry. Moreover, he founded many other industrial units, including infrastructure and sugar industry
	Virchand Gandhi: Jain scholar, represented Jainism at the first Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893. He wrote several scholarly books on Jainism and propagated this religion in the United States. Read more about Barrister Virchand Gandhi at Barrister Virchand Gandhi: A Bridge Builder Among Faiths
Navalmal Firodia: Industrialist, who made India’s first scooter and introduced the world’s first autorickshaw. He was also an educationalist and founded Veerayatan, a socio-religious institution in Bihar.