Jain Digest 2004 01 Vol 23 No 1

SR No.: 527091
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 48
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 9 MB

Page 21

World Community Services
VEERAYATAN IN PAVAPURI
JAINA DONATES AN AMBULANCE
AND A BUS TO VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE
ARDHMN NAGAR
Pavapuri - The Nirvanbhoomi of Lord Mahavirswami invokes a mental picture of serenity and reverence more than any other Teerthdham. But the present day reality on the ground draws a disturbing picture. The Jalmandir lake is so polluted that there are no lotus blooming on the surface and town people are using it to wash laundry or worst, for fishing. The Government of India has recently awarded funds for the cleanup of the lake but the town has definitely deteriorated and is crying out for help. Hardly any Jains live there, vegetarianism is all but forgotten and most kids practice just one thing - begging. Town elders are blaming Jain Pilgrims of havingg turned their town to Beggar's heaven!
Acharya Shri Chandanaji of Veerayatan is trying to solve this blemish on Jain Heritage. Veerayatan has purchased a parcel of land to build a Jain School suitable for a thousand students to pull the kids off the street and prepare them for productive life and instill Jain values in them. Acharya Shri Chandanaji would like to have state government declaring it a holy site-a zone of non violence - preventing selling of meat or fish etc at Pavapuri, Lachhwar and Samet Shikharji. She has asked JAINA to help in the building of the school. JAINA's participation can be a powerful statement of our unity and our resolve to make a difference in the lives of thousands in a land dear to all Jains everywhere. If you would like to help, or have any suggestion, Please write to Dilip V Shah of Philadelphia @ Dilipvshah@aol.com. If there is enough interest, World Community Service with the help of other committees would like to help to the project on behalf of JAINA.
World Community Services donated an ambulance and a bus to residents of Vardhmannagar, town of 250 homes built by JAINA to rehabilate the victims of Gujarat earthquake. Vardhmannagar, 6km away from city of Bhuj and residents needed an ambulance and a bus for medical emergencies and transportation. JAINA donated Rs. 1.5 million for purchase of both. An ambulance was handed over to trustees of Vardhamannagar on Feb 3rd, 2004 by Anop Vora, President, JAINA and Dr. Dhiraj Shah, Project Chairman. The ceremony was attended by 1000 plus residents of Vardhmannagar and officebearers of JAINA.
College Education Loan for US Resident
Jain Students
Academic Liaison Committee
International Alumni Association of Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya (IAAMJV), a non-profit organization with the support of Jain community in USA is proud to offer loans of $5,000 ($2000 for 1st year and 1000 per year for the next 3 years) to young deserving Jain students pursuing undergraduate studies in USA. The loan is repayable 6 months after recipient enters workforce on a fulltime basis.
This program was introduced in year 1999 and is funded by generous donations from benefactors. This is a nationwide program open to all Jains and is established as a loan fund to allow the reuse of the funds in perpetuity. When repaid, the same loan amount will be made available to other deserving students. During the first four years of program, we have already committed and awarded loans of $42,000. We encourage all of you to take full advantage of this program in coming years. Please visit www.iaamjv.org for more details.
JAINA Executive Committee at its Atlanta meeting in March 2004, approved the appointment of "Academic Liaison Committee". The initial five members of this committee were appointed consisting of “Sanjay Pandya from NY, Prem Jain from CA, Girish Shah from CA, Pravin K Shah from NC, and Dilip Shah from PA. The objective of the committee is "To promote programs and studies in Jain philosophy at Academic institutions in North America" and " "To establish Liaison with institutions in North America that are promoting principles of Jainism". The Academic Liaison Committee in its first meeting elected Girish Shah to be the Chairperson of the committee
We invite all those who are interested in promoting Jain Studies and philosophy in the academic world (Universities, colleges, museums, and libraries), to contact Girish Shah, Chair, at 408-373-3564 or girish@theshahs.com.
JAIN DIGEST. Spring 2004/19
Jain Education Interational 2010_03