![]() ![]() ![]() Many, like Akash, bear the surname “Jain”, but many others don’t. Jains only make up about 0.4 percent of the Indian population but are disproportionately influential within the country, especially in the world of business. Jainism originated in India thousands of years ago, and is one of the oldest extant religions in the world. Since ancient times, Jains have been trading in gems, diamonds, spices and clothes.” Trading, not manufacturing The Jain community is traditionally very highly educated they are mostly in business, management, finance and accounting. “My parents and grandparents were in the business of precious metals, bullion and pearls in India. “Jewellery and diamonds are in my blood,” says Akash with a self-effacing smile. So how did followers of a faith based on moderation and non-attachment to material things, come to dominate this most glittery and profane of professions? Jains dominate Antwerp’s diamond industry, the most lucrative and influential in the world, having slowly taken over from the Orthodox Jewish community over the past 60 years. The professional world in which Akash works, however, along with many of Antwerp’s 1,500-strong Jain community, is anything but humble. ![]() Most of them live in the suburb of Wilrijk, in the vicinity of the city’s Jain temple.Īlcohol is forbidden, so Jains are unlikely to be found enjoying Antwerp’s bustling nightlife scene rather, their social lives are centred around home, the temple, and Jain-friendly restaurants such as Aahaar and Sangeetha, another popular vegetarian place. Purely business.” The Jain temple in Antwerp Īntwerp’s Jains are a quiet community who keep themselves to themselves, largely mixing with outsiders only to do business. Here they found that the government, the facilities are favourable for business. “It all depends on business conditions, and Antwerp is the diamond business hub. “In India, the diamond business is commanded by the Jain community, so when they found opportunities here in Antwerp, or in Hong Kong, New York, Tokyo – they moved,” he says. The Jains’ reasons for moving to Belgium, he tells me, were solely business-based. The majority of Antwerp’s Jains have their roots in the city of Palanpur in the western Indian state of Gujarat, although Akash himself grew up in Udaipur, a city famous for its palaces and lakes in the desert state of Rajasthan. Even root vegetables are prohibited, because harvesting them kills the plant. Religious figures and lay people alike – Akash included – follow a strict vegetarian diet, catered for by restaurants like Aahaar. The Jain commitment to non-violence is so highly tuned that monks and nuns sweep the ground before them to avoid stepping on insects. Keep reading list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Australia’s Starc, Cummins become most expensive signings in IPL history list 2 of 4 Yemen’s Houthis ‘will not stop’ Red Sea attacks until Israel ends Gaza war list 3 of 4 Bombs to buzzing beaches: Sri Lanka sees tourism surge after long crisis list 4 of 4 Sky-high inflation takes a toll on mental health in Argentina end of listĪkash’s humble vegetarian diet is a reflection of his devout faith. ![]()
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