2
May1981 in Los Angeles properly elected our JCYCfounding V.P. Lalit
C. Shah as JAINA's tirst/founding president.
(4) The Jain Social Group function is primarily socio-cultural with
religious activities secondary, while thatofJain Centerisprimarilyreligious
with social-cultural secondary. This way, both are complementary in the
larger context of Jain community and society. JSG provides social
networking, humanitarian aid and contributes toward unity in Jain
communityinaccordancewithtenetsofJainism.
It is a matter of great pride for all the members of JAINA as this
Convention of2009 is being held in Los Angeles area after 28 years ofits
birth in the same LA area. It is a great feeling to come back to where you
came from.
In ourjourney throughthe followingpages we will discoverWHEN,
WHY, WHERE and HOW our JAINA was born? The atmosphere, tempo,
enthusiasmandexcitementwereunparallel. ThiswasthecasewhentheFirst
Jain Convention of North America organized by Jain Center of Southern
Californiatookplace attheTRWHall in RedondoBeachinmetropolitanLA
area. Thetimeperiodwas 1981. Thearchitectsofthosetimesandmoldersof
our thought processes were our beloved Pujya Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and
PujyaAcharyaSushil Kumarji. Theirinspirationwasthedrivingforceforall
the centers and community members to achieve the great heights
unimaginable in those times. Their vision, foresight, broadmindedness and
inspiration will always remain as guiding light for Jain Center ofSouthern
California,JAINAandallothercentersofUS &Canada.
/t is really a team work. Individuals alone couldnever have
accomplishedall these. Theglory ofachievements belongs to all of'us
together.
May Mahavir Swamibless all. With His blessings and Shasan
Dev's Krupa, may these organizations bloom and our Jainism spread for
peace ofall mankind.
Sincerely,
Sudhir Kothari, Lalit Shah, Mahendra Khandhar.
