Hope this letter finds you in the warmest of spirits
during this year’s snowiest winter. I visited India in December and January and
represented JAINA at many places. I had a very rewarding trip. To my surprise,
JAINA was recognized everywhere as a world class organization and all credit
goes to all of you.
The highlight was my trip to India representing JAINA
at the Palitana handicap camp, Bidada Medical Camp, opening of the JIWO
chapter, and inauguration of Arhat touch.I had the opportunity to meet Narendra Modi, Chief Minster of Gujarat,
His holiness Dalai Lama, Pujya Maharaj Naypadmasagarji, Acharya Shri Chandnaji, Gurudev Rakeshbhai Zaveri and many others
and talk to them about JAINA and our activities in North America.
JAINA has completed or participated in over 15
projects in the last six months to further JAINA’s vision of "Living and Sharing
Jainism and Jain Way of Life.”The
following is a summary:
1.Victorious Ones: Jain Images of Perfection Art Exhibit
(Rubin Museum of Art, NY) -JAINA participated at the unveiling of
the exhibition which had over 65 works of Jain art, some of which have never
been publicly displayed. The Exhibit was sponsored by a lead gift from Sital
and Suman Jain and Family and coordinated by Phyllis Granoff, Professor of
Religious Studies at the Yale Graduate School.
2.JAINA Goes to Washington -
"Celebrating Non-Violence". On Capitol HillThis
conference, co-sponsored by JAINA along withAmerican Jewish Congress, AAPI and NAACP. Speakers at the
conference wereUS Congress
Chaplain, Chaplin Caughlin , Congressman John Lewis,Jim McDermott, Frank Pallone, Ed Royce,Hilary O. Shelton, from NAACP.Paul Montero and Daniell Borinfrom the White House. This conference was held in Octoberand was a huge success in networking
and working with US Government officials. The conference was coordinated by Dr.
Sushil Jain.
3.V.R. Gandhi stamp - Indian Postal Department has issued a
multicolored stamp, first day cover and a brochure on famous Jain orator and
writer Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi in November 2009.
4.Arhat Touch inauguration: JAINA participated at the opening of the Shrimad Rajchandra Arhat Touch
programme (SRA) in Toronto. The inauguration invited a large crowd of people
from the community.
5.Record
Turnout At Mega Medical Camp Hailed As A Miracle For The Needy And Jains
Worldwide! »JAINA participated in The Palitana Camp for the
disabled. The Camp was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shree
Narendrai Modi and Blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. JAINA helped by
raising about Rs. One crore and donating it to the Camp.28,549 physically
handicapped and hearing impaired persons of all ages benefitted at the camp.
6.President Obama talks about Bhagwan Mahavir:
As a direct result of Dr. Sushil
Jain’s networking with the White House, President Obama talked about Lord
Mahavira and Jainism at White House’s Diwali function.
7.Bidada Medical Camp -JAINA participated at the Bidada Medical
Camp in Kutch which has been helping thousands of people every year for the past
36 years.
9.Arind Vora in Indonesia: USNational Security Council, State
Dept and White House planned a multi-faith conference in Indonesia. 20 religious leaders from USA and 20
members from Indonesia gathered at Borobudur Hotel in Jakarta in January.
It is with pride to let you know that our Interfaith Chair of JAINA, Arvind Vora was selected to represent JAINISM at this prestigious world
forum, thus ushering a much needed acknowledgement of Jainism on a world forum.
10.Jain eLibrary DVD Project »JAINA education committee has produced a set of 4
DVD’s containing 2000 Jain eBooks and Catalogue.
11.Inaguration of JIWO chapter: JAINA was invited at the inauguration of JIWO (Jain
International Women’s Organization?) chapter of Juhu, Mumbai.
12.Haiti EarthquakeVictims– JAINA
members have contributed over $20,000 to this unfortunate event.Let us remember Bhagwan Mahavir’s
message of compassion - service to the sick and the poor is the true service
to our Lord--- so relevant in these times.
13.Jain Digest is Going Green »Following
up on JAINA 2009 Convention’s theme of Ecology - The Jain Way, JAINA Executive
Committee has decided not to print the publication but instead offer it in
electronic format. JAIN Digest is back as a e-Jain Digest. It is available on,
Jaina.org website.
15.JAINA
Directors - We have started to strengthen the engagement and
support of our 104 directors through dialogue and regional teleconferences.
16.JAINA Committees - We are
in the process of revamping JAINA Committees. We have eliminated some and
merged some and continue to better serve our members.
Upcoming Events over the
next six months:
There
are many exciting events that are planned over the next six months.I urge you to not only follow these
events but also support them through your time and financial contributions.
YJA
Convention– July 4th
Weekend, 2010 in NJ – The preparations are in full swing and I urge all Jain
Centers to help the young generation to enable them to retain our Jain
Heritage.
YJP activities: In the spirit of JAINA’s
greater efforts to increase Jain awareness and build inter-faith partnerships,
YJP is involved in the campaign for a "vegetarian meals across school
cafeterias”.YJP convention is
tentatively planned for June 2010. Also, under plans are fun events, including
an open mike in Washington, DC as well as dinner events in Chicago, San
Francisco, Atlanta, and Toronto
Next JAINA Convention-
JAINA executive have decided to hold 2011 Convention in Houston, TX.Please provide your feedback on what
you would like to see in the next convention.
Jain Studies at FIU, Florida:A Historic Milestone - Florida International University is establishing a
perpetual professorship in Jain studies and is a first ever initiative and a
historic milestone for the Jain Community.
Ashtapad Pratishtha- First of its
kind in North America and probably in the world Ashtapad Pratishtha Mahotsav ceremonies will
be held in Mid June 2010 at the Derasar in Queens, NY.Jain Centre of New York has
created a replica of Shri Ashtäpad Tirth at the temple. Ashtapad Mountain is
made up of crystal, weighing approx. 7.5 tons and all idols are made from
various colored gemstones.Be part
of this historic event.
Pratishtha at Cleveland: JAIN Society of Greater Cleveland is planning a grand Pratishtha Mahotsav
of their new Temple from Friday July 2 to Tuesday July 6, 2010.
Pratishtha at Boston – Jain Center of
Greater Boston, one of the first Jain Centers and temple, has purchased a large
facility in Norwood and will be moving its temple there. The Pratishtha
ceremony is being planned for the month of June, 2010.
We
have made tremendous progress and have many exciting initiatives in the
pipeline.We are looking for Jain
leaders and volunteers who can make a difference in not just North America but
worldwide.For more information
about the above activities and people who made such progress in six short
months, please visit www.jaina.org.
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