Biharsharif: The death of Jain spiritual leader Acharya Chandana Ji Maharaj, fondly known as Tai Ji, in Pune, Maharashtra, on Wednesday at the age of 90 has sparked widespread grief across Bihar, where she devoted over five decades to humanitarian service.Born as Shakuntala in Maharashtra, Tai Ji chose Rajgir—closely associated with Lord Mahavira—as the karmabhoomi of her life’s mission. She made history by becoming the first woman Jain sadhvi to be conferred the title of Acharya, breaking a long-standing barrier in the Jain monastic tradition.In the early 1970s, when Rajgir lacked basic infrastructure, she founded Veerayatan and gradually transformed it into a major centre for education, healthcare and social upliftment. Over the years, the organisation expanded beyond Bihar to Gujarat, Maharashtra and even abroad, including the United States.Veerayatan today runs hospitals, vocational training centres, women empowerment programmes and disaster relief initiatives across several states. The organisation played a key role in relief and rehabilitation efforts during the devastating 2008 Kosi floods.Education remained central to her work. Veerayatan-run schools in Pawapuri and Lachuar currently educate over 4,000 underprivileged students, many of them first-generation learners. In healthcare, the Veerayatan Netra Jyoti Seva Mandir in Rajgir has provided affordable eye care to thousands.She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022 for her contribution to humanity. Despite failing health, Tai Ji visited Rajgir as recently as January 26, 2024.
