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THE MAKING OF JCYC
Mahendra Khandhar
After moving JCYC to the Jain Bhavan, the Pathshala attendance increased from 70 (in 1988) to about 150 (in 1995). Currently, the attendance is close to 400 (in 2008). Sailes Jain has played an instrumental role in bringing together these large groups of students, parents and administrators. More classes were added and additional teachers included Geetaben Shah (Gujarati), Sharadaben Turakhia 'Ba' (Gujarati), Bakulbhai Shah 'Bapuji' (Gujarati), and Surendra Jain (Hindi).
In 1982, nobody had imagined or dreamed that the small beginning of one class of 20 with 3 teachers would become such a huge institution consisting of 400 students, 20 classes, 40 teachers, teacher conferences, and multiple student activities. Through the years, JCYC has been extremely fortunate to have a large number of enthusiastic volunteers. JCYC, JCSC and the entire Jain Community thank all of them.
JCYC shines as a model Jain Pathshala. The group has truly been blessed by Shasan Dev's Krupa and Mahavir Swami. Through JCSC's administration, and the full support and hard work of all teachers, administrators and volunteers, I am certain that JCYC will continue to grow. The religious sanskars imprinted on the children at this early age will doubtless result in many good things for them and for the world, in this life, and in lives to come.
Mahendra Khandhar is the founding President of Jain Center of Southern California. He can be contacted at MKKhandhar@hotmail.com.
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for the auspicious PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV
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