Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan on Friday hailed the contributions of the Jain community in the overall development of the State.
Inaugurating the three-day Jain International Trade Fair and Jain Pavilion at Dadabadi, he likened Jainism to the Dravidian movement.
He recalled his association with the Jain community and said that the bond between Tamil people and Jains and its traders was strong and it was growing in stature by the day.
Rare collections
Organised by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) the pavilion displays Ratnapratimas (rare idols) together with model of Ashtapad.
Jain art, idols and sculptures from different parts of the world, handwritten Kalpa Sutra, coins of Lord Mahaveera era are on display. Gold idols of Parasnath and Laxmi, coins replica of Mauryan and Gupta dynasty, ancient palm leaf scripts written by gurus and scholars of Jain community, art work covering various pilgrimage centres are exhibited. It also has Yantras, Kalpasutras and life sketches of Jain Tirthankars and Munis from Kolkata, Jiaganj in north Bengal, Ahmedabad and Jamnagar.
The display also covers exhibits from Shravanabelagola, Deogarh, Khajuraho, Chanderi, Gwalior, Taranga, Ranakpur and Patan.
Encourages participation
In his address, JITO chairman, Suresh Mutha said that the trade fair would encourage the members to take part in economic empowerment, social uplift and render service to the community.
The product on display at the 172 stalls in the trade fair range from jewellery, textiles, real estate, financial services, cookware, steel industry, food and beverage among others.
Entry free
The public entry to the fair is free.
JITO, chairman apex Narendra Baldota gave an overall view of the trade fair.
