For the first time, Indian child Ariha Shah has been allowed to celebrate Paryushan, the most important festival of Jainism. Ariha Shah has been locked up in a German foster home for three years. To help Ariha celebrate Paryushan festival, 22-year-old Dhruvi Vaidya, who teaches Jainism to young children at the Jain school ‘Look N Learn’ and has a B2 level proficiency in German language, has gone from Mumbai to Berlin (Germany). This was the first time in three years that Ariha met an Indian other than her parents.
On behalf of the Jain community, Param Vinamramuni Maharaj Sahab, disciple of Pujya Gurudev Namramuni Maharaj Sahab, has been in constant touch with the German Embassy in New Delhi and the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin for the past one year. They are discussing how to bring Ariha back to India and also ensure that she gets the opportunity to learn about her religion and the Gujarati language while staying in Germany. After a year of tireless efforts, the German Foreign Ministry was successful in persuading the German Child Service, allowing Ariha to celebrate the sacred Jain festival Paryushan.
Bal Seva permitted only one hour visit for two days. Ariha was taught the basic prayers of Jainism, including the Namaste mantra, ‘Tassa Michhami Dukkadam’ and ‘Jai Jinendra’. She got the chance to hear the chanting of Mangalika and Uvasaggaharam. Ariha was explained the stories of Girnarji Tirtha and Palitana Tirtha and was introduced to the deities through the pictures of Bhagwan Mahavira and Bhagwan Parshvanath. Ariha was also taught about compassion.
What is the whole matter?
Bhavesh Shah and Dhara, residents of Ahmedabad, went to Berlin, Germany on a work visa. There, the world of this Gujarati family fell apart when Ariha got injured on her private part and when she was taken to the hospital, her parents were accused of sexual assault. The administration sent Ariha to a foster care home. Since September 2021, this family has been fighting a legal battle for Ariha’s custody. The doctor found blood on Ariha’s diaper.
The girl is currently living in a foster care center in Berlin. The girl was sent into custody after her parents were accused of cruelty. Since then, the family is constantly upset. It is claimed that the allegations of cruelty have also been found to be false. Despite that, the girl is not being handed over to them.
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