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History of Jain Social Group - Los Angeles
(Mahendra Khandhar)
Myelder brother Kishorbhai in Borivli-Bombay was very active in
Jain Social Group (JSG) movement. So, C.N.Sanghavi, the founder
president of JSG Federation; Pratapbhai Gandhi, JSG Fed President and
others suggested starting overseas group in Los Angeles (LA). While
visiting Bombay in 1983, we had several meetings with Sanghavi Saheb,
Pratapbhai Gandhi, Labhubhai Mehta, Mahasukhbhai Kamdar, Rasikbhai
Shah, Chimanbhai, Naginbhai and others. We discussed various aspects of
purpose,religious, social, humanitarian activities, JSG Federation, finances
and contribution to Jain unity. We were convinced ofJain Social Group's
need,noblepurposeandpracticality.
PrimarypurposeofJain Social Group movementis socialinteraction
and Sadharmik brotherhood, in consonance with Jainism. This is what
Mahavir Swami said as Paraspar Upgraho Jivanam (mutual
interdependence). Ontheotherhand, theJain Centerhasprimarypurposeas
Jain religion Sanskar spread. Thus Jain Center activities are primarily
religious with social-cultural secondary, while the JSG is primarily SOCi0-
cultural with religious activities secondary. This way, both are
complementaryin thelargercontextofJaincommunityandsociety.
JSG movement wasinitiated in 1960s, almost half a century ago.
Currently, there are 305 groups, including 15 overseas, withthemembership
of 51,000. (Our JSG-LA, group number51, is one ofthe early one and a
pioneer in overseas groups.) The JSG Federation contributed millions of
rupeesand thousands ofman-hours,directly and through Red Cross, during
Morbifloods in Gujarat, Latur earthquake in Maharashtra, coastal floods in
Orissa, Gujarat-Kutchhaearthquake, tsunami ofTamilnadu and many other
natural calamities. It also arranges Paryushan lecture series by eminentJain
scholars.
We came back to LA, and started meeting with the friends and
community members. We explained the purpose and function of JSG
activities, Met with the Jain Center ofSouthern California (JCSC) officers
before the Group formationto explain the purpose ofJSG as socio-cultural-
religious,whilethatofJCSCasreligio-socio-cultural. Bothare
