Chennai: The number of children in mutts is going down and this is due to westernisation, said Arani Thirumalai Mutt Jain Matathipathi, Swasthi Shree Dhavalakeerthi Swamigal.

He was speaking at the inauguration of 10th edition of Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair (HSSF) held in collaboration with Initiative for Moral and Cultural Training Foundation (IMCTF) here Tuesday.

“We have a beautiful culture, but the next generation is looking elsewhere,” he said.

The swamigal spoke at length about the need to have three children – ‘one for the nation, one for disseminating the knowledge given in our scriptures and one for the family.’

TVS Capital Funds Limited chairman N Srinivasan said, “While there has been a lot of discussions surrounding nationalism and patriotism, one would be branded a bigot if he is a nationalist. The sight of Andaman jail should move one’s heart, if it doesn’t, one has to ponder upon themselves.”

The event saw the participation of Nrithyodaya president and Bharatnatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyan, HSSF trustee R Rajalakshmi, HSSF president, Sri Omkarananda Mahaswamiji, Dharmapura Adheenam Sri Guru Masilamani Desiga Gnanasambhanda Swamigal, Sriperumbudur Sri Embar Jeeyar Mutt Jeeyar Srimath Paramahamsethyathi Sriperumbudur Appan Paramala Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamigal, Kanchipuram Sri Kanchi Mutt 70th Peetathipathi Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan chairman N Ravi.

The fair, with around 400 stalls, is put up at Guru Nanak College. The exhibition will go on till 4 February and be open between 9 am and 8 pm.

The exhibition happens in 22 cities across 13 States.