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| JAINA Ratna Awardee |
My name is Dhiraj Harilal Shah.I was born in a middle-class family in 1943 in Mandvi-Kutch. I had my primary education in Mandvi, college education in Bhuj-Kutch, and medical education in Ahmedabad. I immigrated to the USA in May of 1970.
 
Dr. Dharamsi founded the Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) in 1980 with the objective of promoting a better understanding and following of Jain principles, preserving our rich heritage, and passing it on to our next generation. He served as president for first 14 years and raised JSMW to a very active and pioneering Jain organization starting a number of new Jain activities in North America including holding annual Jain camps and weekly Pathshala, holding Jain Academic Bowl program (which was later taken to JAINA in 1993) and celebrating Ahimsa Day on the Thanksgiving Day; and established a Jain temple/Jain Center in 1989. He continued his devoted service to JSMW as trustee and the chairperson of the Board of Trustees. He is currently active in establishing a new 30,000 sq. ft. Jain Center with Shikharbandhi Shwetambar & Digambar Derasars, Sthanak, Upashray, Jain Knowledge Center, classrooms, multi-purpose hall, kitchen, etc. After founding Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington in 1980, Dr. Dharamsi realized the need of sharing with all Jain centers the Jain teachings/literature, a list of Jain scholars and various activities held at all Jain Centers; and raised the idea with the leaders of 7 other Jain Centers then in USA. In May 1981, during the Jain convention in Los Angeles, he played a major role in establishing a Federation of Jain Organizations of North America (FJONA). An ad-hoc committee was established, and Manoj started contacting other Jain centers to join the federation and persuading Jains in other cities to start Jain associations and join the federation. Manoj and also Vinay Jain from Boston suggested to change the name of the organization to Federation of Jain Associations in North America to rhyme as JAINA instead of FJONA. During the second Jain Convention in NY in May 1983, constitution of JAINA was approved and Manoj was unanimously elected as the President of JAINA. As president of JAINA, Dr. Dharamsi’s major goal was to keep JAINA as a united federation of all Jains in North America irrespective of different beliefs of and rituals followed by various Jain sects. Despite strong opposition, he was firm in keeping the federation a nonsectarian organization and was successful in convincing 15 Jain Centers to join the federation. He worked on following activities to lay the groundwork for its foundation as a nonsectarian organization.
In coordination with Detroit Jain Center leaders, Manoj planned the third Jain convention in Detroit in May 1985 and convened over the convention. During the meeting of all delegates, following major resolutions were approved:
Dr. Dharamsi incorporated JAINA in the state of Virginia and continued his active participation in JAINA as chair of various committees. His major accomplishments as chair of various committees include:
After completing High School in Khamgaon (Maharashtra), Dr. Dharamsi completed B.E. with honors from Jabalpur University in 1959, worked at BHEL in Bhopal for 7 years and moved to the USA in August 1966. He completed his M.S. degree at IIT Chicago in June 1967, and after moving to Dallas in 1969, Manoj, while working full time, studied for and received Ph.D. degree in Information Systems from SMU Dallas in 1973, both with a GPA of 4 out of 4. He worked as research engineer at US DoD/DISA and upon his retirement, US Flag was flown at Pentagon on 1 January 2012 to honor his 35 years of honorable service with the U.S. Department of Defense. Manoj and his wife Kanta live in Reston a suburb of Washington, DC. 
It is my great honor and privilege to write a message of congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the founding of JAINA. I feel fortunate to be one of the co-founder of JAINA in 1981. It was a dream come true for me. I went on to serve two terms as President and Vice President. Here are a few great things we accomplished during the formative years of JAINA.
day when the world is torn in war, violence, and of-course COVID-19, those who have the rich heritage of Ahimsa, Anekantavada, and Aparigraha are blessed. Bhagwan Mahavir lit the lamp of non-violence and peaceful ways of co-existence with all living beings. On this occasion, I also want to congratulate the current team of JAINA executives for discharging their responsibilities beyond the call of duties. 
Arvind Vora has been very active in Indian American activities on Long Island for more than 45 years. He is one of the Founding Members of the following organizations: Shanti Fund (key Volunteer), Long Island Multi Faith Forum (Chairman) & India Association of Long Island (Past President). He has been honored many times for his community works and professional work. He lives with his wife of 48 years, ILA Vora in Kings Park. Their grown-up daughter lives in Silver Spring, MD & grown-up son in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He arrived in USA as a student in 1969. Arvind Vora being blessed with a good education, multiple talents and a desire, to always be meaningfully busy and active to help others has unparalleled contributions in community work, religion, government and politics. Distillation of his 40 years of community services can be summed up by being invited by three of the perhaps five most powerful offices: Pope Benedict in 2008 as one of the ten to meet and greet, Honored by Pope Francis at Vatican in 2015, President of India Hon. Abdul Kalam at his official residence in 2005, and by President of the USA Hon. Bill Clinton for the Restoration of Religious Freedom Act Bill signing ceremony at the White House in 1993 . He attended the 9th World Assembly of Religions Leaders held at Vienna, Austria 11-18 to 22, 2013. He has been conferred* with the highest recognition “JAINA Ratna” at the JAINA Convention in 2003. In the Sanskrit language RATNA means extremely bright, the one that outshines all others. In Indian jewelry it is the most precious and extremely rare gem that most would like to possess. In modern India, after the adoption of the Constitution and thus declaring herself the Republic of India on January 26, 1950, every year the President of India presents to the most worthy citizen of India, if warranted, the award called “Bharat (official name of India in Hindi is Bharat) Ratna”. Similarly, JAINA (Jain Associations In North America) established a JAINA RATNA Award in 1989. Only one person is selected, if deemed worthy by the JAINA Award Committee, for this honor, which is bestowed during the Biennial Convention held in one of the North American cities 
Mansukhlal Doshi, of Lake Forest, Illinois, born in Mahuva, Gujarat, India on December 27th, 1919, passed away peacefully on November 30th, 2022, at the age of 102. Throughout his early life, Manubhai developed a deep passion for education and public service. He attended the University of Bombay where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics and political science. He began his tremendous career in public service working for the Government of Gujarat as the Inspector of Industries and ultimately retired as the Associate Commissioner of Industries where he created the first ever export business for the State of Gujarat that continues today. In 1943, Manubhai married Indira Doshi, and together they raised four children: Dr. Ashok Doshi, Dr. Niranjana Shah, Chetan Doshi, and Dipak Doshi. They raised a household that highly valued friendship, education, generosity, and respect, which has carried through in how each of his four children live their lives. After immigrating to Chicago in the early 1980s, Manubhai continued to live a rich and full life as a supportive and loving grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his eight beloved grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who will always think of him when they have an extra scoop of ice cream for dessert. Manubhai was driven to keep his mind and body active in retirement and continued to become a true visionary and scholar of Jainism for the Chicago metropolitan community and the country broadly. Recognized as a Jain Scholar of North America, Manubhai received the 2005 Jain Ratna Award, which is the highest award bestowed by JAINA (Federation of Jain Associations of North America) to one individual biannually. The impact he made on the Jain community will last for generations to come. Among his many contributions, he founded the Mahavir Senior Center in Chicago and was a founding teacher of JSMC Pathshala. He was also the first Jain scholar in the United States to be interviewed by Claremont-Lincoln College, which directly contributed to the establishment of a department of Jainism Studies. Manubhai became a prolific author and published many books, essays, and reflections on Jainism. When his grandchildren would visit him, they would often find him typing at his computer or questioning the best English translation for Jain text that he was analyzing. He cared deeply about practicing a Jain Way of Life, including vipassana, meditation, and the core values of Mahatma Gandhi, and ensuring that the philosophy of Jainism could be shared and understood by all. Alongside his children, Manubhai founded and served as the managing trustee of the IMD Memorial Trust (named in honor of his late wife), which promotes Jain education and Jain culture, builds community among Jains, and extends aid to people in need. Manubhai’s life was a rich, disciplined, and full one. His longevity was a direct result of his continual pursuit for purpose and generosity. He was loved by so many, and his spirit will carry on in the legacy he leaves behind for generations to come. 
Anop Vora’s significant achievements during JAINA Presidency (2003-2005)
Dr. Sulekh C. Jain has been actively involved in numerous religious and social endeavors within both the Jain and non-Jain communities in the USA and Canada. Dr. Jain is the Founder/Co-Founder of over a dozen organizations and institutions in North America, including the Jain Center of Greater Boston (1973), Jain Society of Houston (1981), JAIN DIGEST Magazine (1985), JAINA Library (1988), Young Jains of America (1989), Jain Center of Central Ohio at Columbus (1991), Jain Academic Foundation of North America (1994), Mahavir Vision Inc. (1994), JAIN SPIRIT International Magazine (1999), World Council of Jain Academies (1999), JVB Preksha Meditation Center in Houston (1999), and the International School for Jain Studies (ISJS) in 2004. Dr. Jain has served as the Secretary and President of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), Jain Society of Houston, Jain Center of Cincinnati/Dayton, and several other organizations. Currently, he is associated with the International School for Jain Studies and has also been a Board member of the Mahatma Gandhi Library in Houston, Texas. Sulekh Jain authored a 328-page book titled "An Ahimsa Crisis; You Decide!" His second book, "Potpourri of Jainism," was recently published. He has also written more than 60 articles on Ahimsa, Gandhi, and Jainism. The International School for Jain Studies, which he co-founded in 2004 to educate and train scholars in Jainism, has played a pivotal role in reshaping Jain Academic Studies in North America and Europe. Through the education and training of more than 900 individuals (with at least 20 of them earning their PhDs from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania), Jain Academic Studies have gained acceptance at many colleges and universities in the USA and Canada. Dr. Jain has traveled extensively throughout India, the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, where he has met with numerous Jain leaders and participated in various seminars and meetings. In 1990, he led a U.S. Jain Delegation to Buckingham Palace in London for a meeting with H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh and also took part in the Parliament of World Religions conference in Chicago in 1993. Professionally, Dr. Jain holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA. He has taught at several universities in the USA, including MIT as a Guest Lecturer, as well as in Canada, the UK, and India. He retired in 1998 from GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Jain holds nine US and international technical patents and has authored more than 50 technical papers. He served as an international consultant in technology and was the Vice President of the Metalworking Consultant Group. For several years, he was also a consultant to NATO on their Science for Peace program. Dr. Jain has received awards from commercial, professional, and religious organizations, including the JAINA Ratan Award (the highest honor bestowed by JAINA), the Award of Excellence from the International Jain Sangh of New Jersey, USA, and recognition from the Jain Society of Houston, Texas. Currently, his sole passion is to facilitate the establishment of Centers for Jain Studies in academia Sulekh Jain and his wife, Ravi Jain, have been actively engaged in various Indian and non-Indian organizations, such as the Vegan Society, among others. They currently reside in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas, having previously lived in Sugar Land, Texas, USA, for 25 years. 
As JAINA president, in cooperation with Executive committee and committee chairs, Dr. Jain set and accomplished his goal to: (a) enhanced communication, financial strength and transparency among Jain community via electronic, social & print media, (b) made JAINA a Global organization by partnering with other Jain NGO’s and other faith & community-based organizations, (c) realign JAINA as community service organization to uplift economically deprived Jains. d) Aligned JAINA with UN, World Bank, USAID as well as public, private & corporate to be eligible for future grants; and finally, (e) mentored & trained next generation Jains for local and national leadership positions. Under his leadership as convener, JAINA convention 2011 in Houston set new standards for “do more with less”. Post convention attendee’s praiseworthy remarks about food, entertainment, decoration, excellent sound system and outstanding hospitality for minimum registration fees ($99/ person - 65% took advantage, Hotel rate $89) served as standards for other conventions to emulate. The convention set a new standard for excellent food, quality entertainment programs, diverse speakers on variety of topics, starting of a new program ‘Jains got talent’, outstanding sound systems & decoration, and yet managed to save $62,000. He demonstrated similar leadership, managerial and his motivational & inspirational team building skills during JAINA convention held under his presidency in 2013 in Detroit, and raised over $112,000 for 2013-15 operational budgets. Dr. Jain volunteered 15-20 hours per week, took hundreds of hours of personal leave to attend meetings & events on behalf of JAINA. He donated significant amount of money in support of JAINA projects (over $30,000). In addition, he spent an average of $7000 in direct cost & three weeks of personal vacation time per year for last 4 years in support of JAINA mission in North America & overseas. 
Rambhai's remarkable journey began in the bustling city of Mumbai in 1940. His formative years were spent in the serene environs of Village Bada-Kutch for 14 transformative years. Education was a cornerstone, and he graduated from Gurukul High School while residing at the nurturing abode of Shri Mahavir Jain Charitra Ratnashram, Songadh (1954-58). Excelling in his studies, he secured distinction in his SSC exam. He further pursued two years of Science Studies at Elphinstone College, Mumbai (1958-60), while finding residence at Shri Mahavir Jain Vidhyalaya. His academic voyage led him to L.E. College in Morbi, where he earned a BE in Mechanical Engineering (1960-63), followed by a brief stint at Premier Automobile for six months. Venturing across seas, Rambhai attained his MS in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University, Fargo (1964-65). His professional trajectory soared as he joined a Consulting Engineering firm in Minneapolis, ascending to the position of vice president (1965-80). Subsequently, he embarked on a path less trodden, founding his own Consulting firm, "Gada & Associates, Inc.," a venture that remained steadfast in service to clients for three decades (1980-2010). This remarkable journey was forged with unwavering support from Jain Institutions, educators, and myriad organizations in India. Rambhai's indebtedness extended to both financial backing and the values inculcated by his mother during his upbringing. Foundation in Giving
Contributions to Community
Impact on Society:
Accolades and Beyond:
In Closing:
  
"Founder, CEO at American Tex- Chem Corporation, known as a well-known Nationwide supplier to Hospitality Industry founded in 1989 from small room and now occupying a million square foot of warehousing facilities carrying more than 15,000 different products on stock."
Member Association :
Vision and Goals
Accomplishments Successfully carried out my duties working in different capacities as follows:
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6/4/2020SURVEY FOR COVID-19 IN US JAIN POPULATION
6/4/2020CHROME BOOKS PROJECT
5/20/2020SWETAMBAR AGAMS ON JAINA E-LIBRARY
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JAINA is an umbrella organization of 70 Jain Centers, in North America, with a mission to preserve, practice, and promote Jain Dharma and Jain Way of Life.
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