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Remember Swami Vivekananda's speech that received an excellent response in Chicago? Of course, anyone would. But there was a man whom Vivekananda admired and respected a lot who had also given a speech that led to an outstanding appreciation. Let’s know more about him.
Born on 25th August 1864
Born on 25th August 1864 was the talented and masterminded Virchand Gandhi. Being the son of the businessman Raghavji Telpalji Gandhi, Virchand ji was sent to Bhavnagar at a young age for completing his primary and secondary schooling. He was also married off at a very early age but the consistency and efforts he put into his studies were impressive. At the age of sixteen, Gandhi had already aced his matriculation and achieved a scholarship.
Continuing his studies in the Elphinstone College of the Bombay University, he graduated in 1884 with a bachelor's degree in law. Gandhi was a very keen student, and that being said one wouldn't be surprised to know that he was a polyglot who had excelled in speaking fourteen languages. He was also a known friend of Mahatma Gandhi since he assisted him with "experiments in dietetics".
In 1885 at the age of 21, Gandhi had already become the first secretary of the Jain Association of India.
During the course of his tenure, Gandhi worked hard and fought against a tax that was levied by the Princely State of Palitana on the pilgrims who visited Mount Shatrunjaya. Somewhere around this time, he was lucky to have met with Lord Reay and Colonel John Watson. Talking to these two helped him come up with a final negotiation for the pilgrims. Another remarkable fight of his was to close the pig slaughterhouse which was near Mount Shikharji, a holy place of the Jains.
Despite the degree of greatness all of his early achievements show, Gandhi's ultimatum happened in the World Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago in 1893. Here he gave a speech representing Jainism. There was an overwhelmingly positive response from everyone and he was thus asked to deliver more lectures.
It wasn't planned initiatively whether Gandhi was to give the lecture. He was actually a substitute for Acharya Atmaram who couldn't go since Jain Monks didn't travel overseas. Thus, Gandhi was trained for six months by Acharya and his disciple Vallabsuri for the same. The response to his lecture made him stay outside for three years, both in the US and UK. While he was there, Gandhi gave out around 535 lectures which were successful in attracting followers from outside India to practice Jainism.
These lectures and devoted hours acclaimed many achievements and appraisals. One such appraisal from his fellow contemporary, Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda deeply admired Gandhi and had also defended him when Gandhi faced criticism over his sea voyage.
"Of all Eastern scholars, it was this youth whose lectures on Jain Faith and Conduct was listened to with the greatest interest and attention"— Buffalo Courier, which was an American newspaper
Gandhi had studied Buddhism, Christianity, Vedanta Philosophy, and Western philosophy and would treat all religions equally. He would often explain and support Mahavira's message of non-violence and his lectures had become vastly appreciated and inspiring for everyone. Virchang Gandhi had also established the Gandhi Philosophical Society and the Society for the Education of Women in India (SEWI). Given the numerous awards and achievements he had under his name, Gandhi sadly died too young.
He passed away at the age of 36 on 7 August 1901. But nothing defies the fact that he was an excellent barrister whose words on Jainism and different religious cultures had immensely gained a lot of respect and admiration. Do not let his name be forgotten because he still deserves the respect he achieved years back. On his 157th birth anniversary, let's remember him and be grateful for him.
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