1992 Life of Mahavir on video
A 40-minute video of the life of Mahavira in Hindi, Gujarati and English is produced. The film uses photos of paintings to tell the story of the 24th Jina, from the dreams of his mother to his final enlightenment. The film is launched in London, with HE Dr L.M. Singhvi, High Commissioner of India, and is then screened on national Indian television.
1991 High Commission of India
A celebration is held of the birth of Lord Mahavira at the official London residence of the High Commissioner of India. This inter-faith festival becomes an annual event in the Indian High Commission calendar for some years and is important in bonding Jains with the local Indian community in the UK. In 1994, the IoJ arranges the installation of a statue of Lord Mahavira at the High Commissioner’s residence.
1990 The Jain Declaration on Nature
The declaration is based on the work of 30 eminent scholars and sets out fundamental Jain values, emphasising how they work in harmony with the environment. The declaration is presented to HRH Prince Philip, President of the World Wide Fund for Nature International, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace marking the official entry of the Jain faith into the WWF Network on Conservation and Religion.
1986 Incorporation of the Institute of Jainology
The IoJ is registered as a charitable trust in England and Wales. Initially, it concentrates on the local Jain community in London, bringing over scholars from India and raising awareness of the faith.
1984 Inception of the Institute of Jainology (IoJ)
In 1983, the International Jain Conference, in London, recognised the need for a non-sectarian organisation to co-ordinate Jain affairs internationally.The IoJ was then informally set up in 1984.