Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: During his lifetime, Shri Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi worked tirelessly to protect Jain heritage across India. He even led delegations abroad to explore almost all archaeological sites and archaeological remains. He encouraged research among the younger generation and the Jain community to uncover evidence of destroyed Jain monuments in various parts of the country. He received various awards for his contributions to Jainism. Now, it is our duty to carry forward his work for the betterment of this religion and to share his contributions with the new generation. To commemorate his immense contribution to Jainism, we organized Jain heritage awareness programs worldwide, organizing various symposia on various aspects of Jainism on April 27th every year. We also planned an exhibition on Jain caves, temples, and sculptures with local people. These events allow us to remember the contributions of our beloved Babuji.
In the year 2022, the first death anniversary of Sethi ji was celebrated in Delhi and Mathura in which Shri Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi Memorial Award in the field of philosophy and literature was given to Shri Jamnalal Hapawat, Mumbai, in the field of art and archaeology to Prof. Anura Manatunga, Sri Lanka, in the year 2023, the second death anniversary was celebrated in Guwahati and Suryapahar in which Shri Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi Memorial Award in the field of philosophy and literature was given to Late Bharat Kumar Kala, Mumbai, in the field of art and archaeology to Dr. Shubha Majmudar, Kolkata, in the year 2024, the third death anniversary was celebrated in Shravanabelagola and Bangalore in which Shri Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi Memorial Award in the field of philosophy and literature was given to Shri Gyanmal Shah, Ahmedabad, in the field of art and archaeology to Smt. Suchitra Das, Bhubaneshwar, in the year 2025, the fourth death anniversary was celebrated in Pune and Mumbai in which Shri Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi Memorial Award in the field of philosophy and literature was given to Shri Late. Shri Kanhaiya Lal Khedkar, Nagpur, Smt. Malini Goswami, Guwahati in the field of Art and Archaeology.
Jain Heritage Day will be celebrated on the occasion of Pancham Punya Tithi on 26th April 2026 at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata (West Bengal) and Seminar on Jainism in Eastern India (Temples, Mools and Archaeological Sites) will be held on 27th April 2026 at Panchkot (Panchet Hills).