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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Representing roots, blossoming branches, flowering fruition! Jai Jinendra, I hope this Newsletter finds you all in good spirits. As we enter another special year, one can see the vision spreading over the horizon. Have you ever wondered what the meaning behind the Young Jains logo, the YJ tree is? This is the essence of the organisation, i.e. planting
the seed of Jain Dharma and nurturing it so that it grows into a much bigger aim. VISUALFYES A tree is a symbol of life, and its branches a symbol of growth and progress. A
tree stands firm and adapts to all calamities or changes in its surroundings, and
rather than clamouring for its rights and privileges, fulfils its duties of providing food and shelter for all. There are various qualities which we can draw great inspirations, from such a harmonious natural plant. These can be portrayed in many forms. As a tree is: * A provider of the shelter we seek, the air we breathe, the serenity we look at...so too is Young Jains, a
Jain Service Provider (SP). The vision expresses the aim to be universally recognised as a centre of information/activities on Jain Dharma and related matters, providing a distinctive services platform to drive spirituality. Different to any other neighbouring tree...so too is Young Jains - differentiable and uniquely identifiable from other organisations. Young Jains specifically provides eye-opening offerings, which is what entices people to stop, look, listen, understand, live and realise. Nurtured and cultivated with sunlight and rain water...so too is Young Jains, as are those involved with the organisation nurtured and cared for. People are the key to the continual efforts of what the organisation has to offer. Our strength in involving a solid and ever growing base of active volunteers highlights encouraging appeal. Growing and evolving day by day...so too is Young Jains progressing and changing in every step of the way. The aim is to build upon past endeavours and continue to inspire innovation, creativity and ideas to ensure that Jain Dharma is easily accessible to all. Working alongside other organisations, will help to strengthen the offering to the Jain community and the community at large. Always adding value with its wisdom...so too is Young Jains utilising its foundations to continue to develop and deliver high calibre events every month, in addition to the regular events of Sweet Harmony and Yoga & Meditation, annual landmark events of Paryushan Parva, Mahavir Bhagwan's Janma Kalyanak, and Diwali - Mahavir Bhagwan's Moksha Kalyanak. Registration for the 6th Young Jains International Convention, 'Tasting The Mango 2 - The Next Slice!' has begun. Check out: www.youngjains.org.uk for exciting details of how you can get involved. Flowering with many leaves and flowers...so too Young Jains wishes to spread the fragrance of Jain
Dharma indiscriminately. * Spreading its branches far and wide...so too is Young Jains reaching out providing opportunities for those
who wish to take on adventurous challenges in order to strive to uncover their potential, divinity within! We as individuals represent our own unique offerings as trees, and as we come to work together, these trees come together to become forests. Our roots draw inspirations from various
sources and values: the trunk symbolises OPENING EYES TO JAIN DHARMA
the backbone to the support system; the branches bring a wealth of potential opportunities our way; the buds portray the seeds which we need to plant; the leaves convey the expansion of these endeavours and the colourful flowers which flourish reveal the individual proactive nature and fruition which helps make the difference. As a gardener, understand that this is your forest: respect and nurture it well.
Deepa M. Shah, President, Young Jains Deepa - President 020 8573 9324 Suraj - Vice President
07968 910 827 Nishma - Secretary 020 8275 0972 Kishore - Treasurer
020 8951 5393 Ash - External Relations 020 8959 5992 Bhavin - Student Development 07968 403121 Ketan - Events
020 8951 1988 Punit - Volunteer Development 020 8206 0629 Seema - Membership 07958 638049 Vimal - Books/CD's/Media 020 8275 0972 Pragna - Newsletter 020 8952 9798 Khilna - Website/eMedia
020 8368 1575 Shila - Sweet Harmony 020 8907 7235 Kilu - Yoga & Meditation
020 8907 6597
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