April 23, 2023 – Celebration of Varshitap Parna Mahotsav 2023

The Consular Corps of the Province of Namur participated in the celebration of VarshiTap Parna Mahotsav 2023, a major event celebrating the end of a 365-day fast undertaken by 58 participants, at the Jain Cultural Center Antwerp. We were guests of our partner Anita Diamonds BV 💎, which supports The Economic Diplomacy Day. Thanks to Chirag Shah and Philippe JADOT

The fast, called Varsi Tapa, lasts for a year during which people fast on certain days, then eat two meals the next day, and fast, and so on, for 12 months.

The Jain Temple of Antwerp is the largest Jain temple outside India. The temple was built in 2010 with an estimated budget of €15 million to €25 million, funded by Antwerp's Jain community, which is well represented among the city's Indian citizens active in the diamond industry and trade. This diamond activity makes Belgium India's leading European economic partner. The main deity of this temple is Parshvanatha, the 23rd tirthankara of Jainism.

The Jain temple in Antwerp is located in the Wilrijk district. There we met Kristof Bossuyt , Mayor of Wilrijk, with whom we had an enlightening exchange on the specific organization of the municipality of Bart De Wever .

Did you know that Wilrijk is one of the nine districts that make up the city 🏙️ of Antwerp, the only municipality in Belgium to be organized into a District? Each district has its own district council and district mayor, who are elected 🗳️by direct universal suffrage every six years? The district council is responsible for the local management of the district, including the management of parks and green spaces🌳, waste collection ♻️, security 🦺, urban planning issues, and the organization of cultural 🎭 and sporting 🏃 activities. The district mayor is responsible for implementing the decisions taken by the district council and works closely with the Antwerp municipal authorities.

This day was also an opportunity to discuss the issues and challenges of the diamond sector 💎 in Belgium in terms of traceability, transparency and sustainability.

Antwerp is considered the diamond capital of the world🌏, with over 86% of all rough diamonds and 50% of cut diamonds, representing approximately 6% of Belgian exports and 15% of Belgian exports outside the European Union.