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AHIMSA TIMES - JULY 2009 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
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not just informative; they were also entertaining and funny.
The opening day morning was enthusiastically greeted by a procession in which scholars, monks, local politicians walked and young and old Shravks and Shravikas and children dancing with traditional music and huge colorful flags representing 67 member Jain centers was the colorful and uplifting auspicious beginning of the whole event. One of the most important seminars at the convention was JAIN DIASPORA Conference. This JAINA initiative to connect all the Jain communities living in 36 countries outside of India was the second such conference at JAINA Convention - the first one was in 2007 at the previous convention in NJ. Late Dr. L. M. Singhavi chaired that meeting and gave it a blessing that has allowed this movement for unifying all the Jains all over the world. Plans are in the works to hold the 2010 JAIN DIASPORA meeting in London.
Many scholarly lectures were presented in English, Gujarati and Hindi on subjects like Pujya Shri Rakeshbhais lectures on ATMA SIDDHI and VACHANAMRUT, Acharya shri Chandanaji's and Sadhvi Shubhamji's Jain Dharma through Social Service: Essence of Human Life by Bhattarak Charukeertiji: Jain Customs by Pandit Abhay Kumarji and Pandit Dhirajbhai Mehta; Jain way of Raising Children by Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji: Jains: Pioneers of Ecology by Samani Vinaypragyaji: Essence of Forgiveness by Sadhvi Shilapiji.....Punya- Paap by Falguni Zaveri, Path toward Moksha by Pramodaben Chitrabhanu.
Lay Jain community members also made many presentations. JAIN WAY OF LIFE by Prem Jain; Andhkar -ma thi- Prakash taraf by Chandrakant Mehta; Charity Focus by Nipun Mehta; World Peace Diet by Dr Will Tuttle; Jain Food by Manoj Jain; Remembering Veerchand Raghavji Gandhi by Dr Dhiraj Shah, Jain Tirth Yatra by Mahendra Kandhar, Science and Jain Dharma by Premal Doshi, Indian culture and Eco Skills by Pallavi Doshi, Soul Songs by Pandit Jayesh Khona, leadership in the Green Economy by Paul Hannam, Panel discussion on Health issues for Seniors.
Separate tracks were designed for youth by speakers like Saumil Mehta, Nipun Mehta, Pallavi Doshi, Ami Doshi Aakash Doshi Rajni Modi Sneha Patel and Aditi Shah. Traditional competition between Pathshala Children of various Jain Centers known as JAINA ACADEMIC BOWL is heavily anticipated event by the young members of the community. This year the JAIN CENTER of NJ won that competition. The entertainment highlights included the world premiere of the play "Siddha Hem" based on the life of Acharya Hemchendra Charya and a Bollywood show "Black" presented by 10 blind performers. There were fun activities for children and adults of different age groups which comprised cruises, dancing, treasure hunts, movies, stand up comedies and a mega mela at the hotel with 10 stalls for games. One of the most popular features among the youth were the morning Masala Bhangra workouts conducted by the Sarina Jain. Numerous stalls were also set up on the premises of the Jain Center with vendors providing various products and services,
The Highest award by JAINA for their lifelong contribution to Jain community in North America was awarded to Dr. Sulekh Jain of Houston- a past President of JAINA, Presidential award were given to Udai Jain of Houston for long service to JAINA and Mahenra Mehta of Mumbai for his humanitarian work worldwide and as a JAINA'S liaison in India. 10 Adult awards and 5 youth award were also given. The convention ended on July 5th but not before creating another historically significant event. For the first time in the 28 year history of JAINA, a Canadian and a Woman Lata Champsee was sworn in as JAINA President. JAINA is Federation Of Jain Associations in North America representing nearly 150,000 Jains living in USA and Canada through 67 Jain Associations all over North America. Report Courtsey : Dilip V. Shah, E- Mail : dilipvshah@gmail.com Past President, JAINA, 1902 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19103, (215) 561 0581.
VEGETARIANISM
NAN - KULCHA - RUMALI ROTIARE NOT FOR VEGETARIANS - CHETAN JAIN
Having visited a very good restaurant in Suburban Mumbai, we ordered Jain Subzi along with combination of NAN & Roti. In a few seconds the managers of the restaurant who was known to me from many years approached me and requested me to cut NAN from our order as it was
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8/11/2009
