Encourage Young Jains to Join Armed Forces

By Mahavir Sanglikar

Now it is time to encourage young Jains to join armed forces. Young Jains should consider armed forces as career opportunity. When we are expecting I.A.S. and I.P.S. officers from Jain community, it will be better to add Army officers to this list.

Already there are many Jain officers in Indian Armed Forces, but the number must be increased.

Joining Armed Forces is not a new thing for Jains. Our community has given many great Warriors, Generals and brave soldiers to the nation for thousands of years. We have seen Jains on the highest post at Indian Navy and Indian Air force. We should keep up and accelerate this tradition.

Joining Armed Forces will be beneficial to both the community and the nation. It will give adventurous career opportunity to our guys and gals.

We should ignore a tiny minority section of Jains who oppose joining Armed Forces in the name of Ahimsa. Their knowledge about Jain contribution to Military History of India is zero. Moreover, they know nothing about true meaning of Ahimsa.

Armed Forces are not for attacking other nations. They are just for saving the nation from invaders. Wars are not fought for killing people, but to save national interests and citizens. Without Armed Forces, no nation can survive. Without Armed Forces, no nation can keep peace within its territory. Just imagine what would happen if there are no Armed forces in your country.

People do not join Armed Forces to get a chance to kill people. There are many things that attract them towards the forces. One of it is to live an adventurous life. For many others, it is a national duty to join the forces. For many, it is an attractive career opportunity.

Armed Forces are not for those who want a safer and monochrome life. The forces are not for money-oriented people. I know that the money-oriented people will never wish to join Armed Forces. But all Jain are not money oriented. The new generations of moneymaker Jains also are looking for different things and colorful life. They want to escape themselves from traditional professions. Armed Forces are inviting them.

Jain organizations like Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) should encourage young Jain guys and girls to join Armed Forces. JITO is trying a lot to see I.A.S. (Indian Administrative Services) and I.P.S. (Indian Police Services) officers from Jain community. It has got an overwhelming response from young Jains from every part of India. Now JITO should think about Armed Forces. JITO should encourage and help young Jains to Join National Defense Academy, Dehradun Military Academy and other defense training institutes in India. Like the JITO training and help centers for competitive exams for I.A.S. and I.P.S., there should be JITO centers for defense Services also. Further, JITO should consider about establishing Jain Military Schools at major cities of India.

Here is one more suggestion. What JITO is doing in India, JAINA (Federation of Jain Associations in North America) should do in North America. When American Jains are citizens of U.S. and Canada, it is their duty and right to join the Administration, Police and Armed Forces there. JAINA should take initiative for it.