________________
AHIMSA TIMES - JANUARY 2008 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
Page 5 of 12
Sri Mahesh Gandhi spoke about the stamp release and in general for VRG life. Pritiben has done M.Phill on VRG and she narrated some specific points about VRG like the fight in British parliament. The host of the function was Dr.Bipin Doshi, Trusty and Secretary of Jain Academy Education Research Centre Promotion Trust, Mumbai. (Courtesy: Pravin C. Shah, Chair person, JAINA Shri V. R.Gandhi scholarship & Memorial Committee). Courtsey: Pravin C. Shah E-Mail: pravincshah2k@yahoo.com
INTER-RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION In order to promote unity amongst different religions and devise means for environment protection through the adoption of religious concepts, a conference of various religious leaders was held at New Delhi in Sushil Muni ashram in defence colony on the 4th Dec, 2007. Leaders and saints belonging to various religious sects, like Digambar Jain, Shwetambar Jain, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian sects took part in the proceedings and presented their views. Addressing the conference, Acharya Shri Vidyanand ji of Digambar sect said that religion is like a factory to produce ideal citizens. Love for each other amongst the nations as much as amongst neighbors in bringing them together at one forum can go a long way in the protection of global environment. He mentioned that Acharya Sushil Muni, with whose inspiration, this ashram was built, had dedicated himself to the cause of ahimsa and unity amongst all the religions, which could eventually lead to protection of environment.
Buddhist leader, Dalai Lama in his speech stressed the need to revive the age-old culture of following concept of ahimsa, which only build a strong and powerful nation. Eminent sadhwi Dr. Sadhna Ji expressed the need to protect the mankind from both internal and external pollution by inculcating the principles of Jainism. Others who spoke on the subject included Acharya Shri Sundersuri ji maharaj of Jain shwetambar murti-pujak sect, Acharya Shri Man Mal ji, Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Dwarkapeeth, Diwan of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Lama Job Jung, Jathedar Richpal Singh, Swami Pragya nand ji, Mahamandaleshwar Sarvanand ji, Raghavanand ji and Dayanand ji, Sant Rajendra Singh, Fr. Karm Masih and Dr. A.K. Merchant. The conference gave ample scope to discuss the subject on environment protection through respective religions of the participants and was an overwhelming success in promoting religious amity, feeing of tolerance toward each other, mutual unity and cohesion among different religions.
FIVE DAYS PREKSHA MEDITATION CAMP Meditation Camp organised by Terapanthi Sabha Delhi held at Adhyatma Sadhana Kendra from 24th to 28th December, 2007. A five days Preksha Meditation Camp was organised under the auspicious presence of Muni Shri Sumermalji "Ladnun" under the direction of Swami Dharmananda, Sri Dhanpat Lunia secretary Terapanth Sabha Delhi welcomed Munishri and the participants, who were 74 in number. Shri D.R. Mehta, retired I.A.S. and Chairman, SEBI.
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
NATIONAL AWARD TO SMT. SUSHILA BOHRA FOR HER SERVICES TO THE BLIND - Smt. Sushila Bohra belonging to Jodhpur in Rajasthan, an eminent social figure and Jain devotee, having been awarded earlier with several awards for her unstinted and dedicated services to the blind people has now been honoured with Sarojini Trilok Nath National Award for the year 2007 by the National Association of the Blind. This award was given by the chief guest at a simple ceremony by General O.P. Malhotra. The award consists of a cash grant of Rs. 50,000 and a letter of appreciation. She has been working selflessly for the last 30 years in the service of blind people of Rajasthan, particularly for their education and rehabilitation. She has set up with public support a
residential school for the blind people named, 'Netraheen Vikas Sansthan', which provides all necessary facilities under one roof for their boarding, lodging, medical help, recreation, play grounds and their education up to post-graduation level, so as to obtain degree from an university. The students are also trained to operate computers with the help of special hardware and software obtained as donation from USA with the help of an N.R.I. The State Government has awarded the best service institution of the year 2007 award to this institution, which was given by the then Governor of Rajasthan, Mrs. Pratibha Patil. Financial support from donors is welcome.
PADAM BHUSHAN AWARD TO SHRI D.R. MEHTA ANNOUNCED ON EVE OF REPUBLIC DAY Shri D. R. Mehta, retired I.A.S. and Chairman, SEBI was honoured with Padam Bhushan award on the eve of Republic day, the 26th January, 2008 for social service. He has dedicated his life in the service of disabled people not only in
http://jainsamaj.org/magazines/january-2008.htm
8/11/2009
