Jain Digest 1999 01 Vol 15 No 01

SR No.: 527074
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 7 MB

Page 8

HEADQUARTERS NEWS
Jains Around the World Mourn Loss of a Dynamic Leader - Ashok Jain
Eminent Jain leader, industrialist and media baron Ashok Jain died in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3, following complications arising from heart transplant surgery. He was 65.
He was not only a Jain leader but also an eminent media personality, a businessman and a philanthropist. He was known for his social work and many charitable endowments.
Ashok Jain was not only a pillar of the Jain community, but creator of the largest newspaper empire in India. He also owned largest Jute mill in West Bengal and Rohtas industries in Bihar.
He took keen interest in JAINA's activities and received JAINA leaders when they were in New Delhi.
His other major contributions included his work as a managing trustee of the Bharatiya Jnanpith, an organization devoted to the promotion of creative writings in Indian languages. The annual Janapith award by the organization is the most prestigious in the
country.
President K. R. Narayan, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Congress party President Sonia Gandhi were among the host of politicians, leading industrialists, heads of media organizations and religious leaders who expressed grief over Jain's death and praised his contribution to the field of media and literature.
National institutions of the Jain community together held a memorial meeting on Feb 7 in New Delhi to pay homage to one of their community's most eminent members. The all India Jain revival Foundation conferred the community's highest honorJAIN RATNA on Ashok Jain "in recognition of his services4 to the community and the nation." His memorable contribution as president of the 1993 Mahamasthikabhishekha committee would always be remembered. JAINA has issued a condolence message and conveyed to the family of the deceased in India.
Adlai Stevenson once commented about a man and his contribution: "It is not the years in a life that counts; it is the life in the years (deceased) lived." We will miss him.
-Dhiraj Shah, President
Dr. Nathmal Tatia
Dr. Nathmal Tatia-A Jain scholar and the translator of Tatvarth Sutra died in Calcutta on Friday, 19th February. He was Professor at World famous Nalanda University in Bihar. Anytime he met Jains in Nalanda district, he invited them to his residence for tea. Many of us have enjoyed his hospitality. His death has left a big vacuum, as far as academicians of Jain religion are concerned. Jaina has conveyed its condolence to deceased family in India.
6/JAIN DIGEST SPRING 1999 Jain Education International 2010_02
Bidada Medical Camp
Bidada Sarvodaya Trust of Bidada - Kutch celebrated its Silver Jubilee by organizing 25th Medical camp of 25 different specialties for 20 days, and treating thousands of poor, needy and indigent patients. It was a highmark in the history of Bidada Sarvodaya Trust which started its activities 25 years ago by organizing an eye camp under the tent.
Growth of humanitarian activities of this trust is phenomenal. In last 25 yeas, Trust has treated 1.5 million patients, operated on 33,000 patients and sent 3,000 patients to Bombay for major surgery at the expense of Trust. Trust runs 51 bed Hospital, eye, Dental and Ob. Gyn. Departments. The hospital is equipped with X-Ray, Ultrasound, Pathology Lab and one General Operation Theater as well as operation theater for eye surgery, which is equipped with latest equipment like Phaco-Emulsification Machine, yag Laser Machine and many other modern equipments.
This year, hundreds of Doctors and Volunteers from Bombay and 48 Doctors and Volunteers from US and Canada participated in the camp. Doctors and Volunteers from US and Canada came at their own expense and served thousands of patients by using their time, talent and treasure. Jain Center of Southern CA and JAINA coordinated efforts of NRIS under the supervision of Dr. Manibhai Mehta (Past President of JAINA) Dr. Dhiraj Shah (President of JAINA), Vijay Chheda, Trustee of Bidada Sarvodaya Trust and Navin Ganger.
Then, US Ambassador, Mr. Richard Celeste and his wife as well as Consulate General, Mr. Huddle and his wife from Bombay came to observe the work of US doctors and volunteers on January 15th and 16th, 1999 and very pleased to see the humanitarian service provided by US Doctors and Volunteers.
JAINS from North America contributed US$65,000 and Share & Care Foundation donated US$6,000 for expenses of Medical Camp.
Nargis Dutt Memorial Trust through Peter Bhedda donated cancer detection equipments worth US $30,000.
For more information please contact Dr. Dhiraj Shah at 716/ 773-1314 (Res.) or 716/282 3018.
Sevantilal Sheth
Mr. Sevantilal Sheth of Sunny Side, New York passed away in Bombay following complications of Heart by pass surgery. He was 63. He and his wife Rasilaben had joined JAINA's pilgrimage of Samet Sikhar last October. He is survived by his wife, daughter Neela, Son in law Mehul and daughters Rupa and Shilpa.