Scholar's progress: Far off London to UP's heart

LUCKNOW: A professor in the University of London, in the department of arts and humanities, Peter Flugel, a scholar and a professor in Jain philosophy is in India to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti.
"I have been studying the religious concepts of Jainism for the past 20 years now," says Flugel. He recalls his first encounter with the religion.
"I had come to visit India in 1981 and I happened to attend a Jain festival while I was in Karnataka.It impressed me deeply," recounts Flugel.
There was something about the festival and the religion that initiated Flugel to study the religion and maintain contact. "What I really like about the religion was the ethic of non-violence. It is a universal philosophy," remarks Flugel.
Now a scholar, Flugel also teaches Jain philosophy at the University of London. And as for himself, "I do not follow Jainism, but I have turned into a vegetarian. There is a lot that you can learn from Jainism," explains Flugel.
And though he looks a tad edgy amidst the festive environs of the celebration of Mahavir Jayanti, he tries his best to settle in. "It is a coincidence that I am in Lucknow on the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir. The celebrations here are really nice," says Flugel.