Dear Patrons, Colleagues and Well-Wishers,
It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Shri Nemubhai Chandaria OBE, who departed this world on Saturday, 27 September 2025. His loss will be deeply felt across the global Jain community, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched.
Nemubhai was truly a pillar of the Jain community, and a driving force behind the Institute of Jainology (IoJ). As one of its founding members, and having served as Chairman for over 30 years, his dedication, vision and leadership helped to shape the Institute into a globally respected centre for Jain scholarship, outreach and interfaith engagement.
Under his stewardship, the Institute led major projects such as the cataloguing of Jain manuscripts held in the British Library and other UK institutions, preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Jain literature.
He oversaw the creation of “The Jain Declaration on Nature”, which was presented to HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, in his capacity as Chair of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). This landmark moment led to Jainism being recognised as the eighth global faith, marking a milestone in the international recognition of the Jain tradition.
Nemubhai also guided the establishment of a Jain Art Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was inaugurated under the patronship of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Hon. Prime Minister of India, further raising the profile of Jain heritage and culture in the UK.
He built strong interfaith relationships between the Institute and other faith organisations, including the Vatican, and participated in audiences with several eminent leaders such as Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj, His Holiness The Pope, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, and many other distinguished religious figures.
Through his unifying vision, Nemubhai brought together over 30 Jain organisations across the UK to establish the OneJAIN platform, providing a collective voice and representation for the Jain community on national and international stages.
Among his many honours, Nemubhai was recognised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with an OBE for his services to the Jain Community in the United Kingdom. He was also honoured with the OneJAIN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, in recognition of his decades of selfless service to OneJAIN and related organisations.
In 2025, Nemubhai received the JAINA Global Award for Jain Heritage and Literature at the JAINA Convention, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the preservation and promotion of Jain knowledge and culture worldwide.
Beyond his institutional leadership, Nemubhai was known for his warmth, humility, and capacity to bring people together across continents, traditions and generations. His advocacy for Jain values – especially those of Ahimsa, compassion and the pursuit of knowledge – resonated far beyond our community.
While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life of deep purpose, sustained service and enduring legacy. In the days ahead, OneJAIN will collaborate with member organisations and international partners to commemorate his contributions and honour his memory in an appropriate manner.
On behalf of the Institute of Jainology, the OneJAIN community and countless individuals across the world, we offer our deepest sympathy to Nemubhai’s family. May his soul continue its journey to Moksha and may his life’s work continue to inspire future generations.
With sincere condolences,
The Directors of The Institute of Jainology
If you would like to leave a message of condolence, you can use this form (Leave a Message of Condolence) or email [email protected].
Tribute by Padma Shri Dr Kumarpal Desai: