Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

Page 43

Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
their religions material on one website. This is an extremely valuable tool for anyone wishing to study Jainism be that a scholar, a sadhu, householder or a child.
UNIFIED PATHSHALA CURRICULAM: JAINA Education committee has produced unified pathshala curriculum for children age 5 to 15 in English in eight different levels of learning. Almost all the Jain centers in US and Canada use these books that cover basics of Jainism without any sectarian bias. Additionally, 25 more books on Sutras, Kriya and philosophy have been published. The books are sold at extremely low prices e.g. a 80 page book on world religions is priced $1.00. Year after year, the books are edited and refined and reprinted as demand for them comes from UK, Kenya, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and other Jain centers. Here it is important to know that all these books are also available on www.jainelibrary.org for free download. All the books published by JAINA education Committee are free of copyrights and help is provided to anyone wishing to print their own version of books at no charge.
WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE: Founded by Dr. Dhiraj H Shah, this humanitarian service arm of JAINA has carried out 65 relief operations in many natural or man made crisis all over the world (Kobe, Japan, Rwanda, Haiti, USA and Burma). In India, notable examples are - help build 250 homes in Kutch after 2001-earth quake, Rehab center in Guntur (AP) for victims of tsunami, school uniforms for the victims of floods in Surat, humanitarian aid in Latur and Kandala, WCS is the only second Indian organization to receive recognition as humanitarian organization with United States Agency for International Development (USAID). That certification was further strengthened by Human Resources ministry of Government of India - allowing WCS to send medical equipment free of any import duty - worth 10 Million Dollars to 22 hospitals at Bidada, Veerayatan, Kolapur and other hospitals.
MEDICAL CAMPS:Every JanuaryJAINA volunteers and Physicians have been regularly participating at BidadaSarvodya Hospital in Bidada- kutch for the last 20 years. After their service at Bidada, these physicians also participate in other regional medical camps.
ACADEMIC LIAISON COMMITTEE:This committee's mission is to foster studies in Jainism in North America. By working with International School for Jain Studies, ALC has helped over 300 American students desiring to learn Jainism. It also works with colleges that offer courses in Jainism. Last year, it helped Claremont Lincoln University in California to launch Center for Jain Studies. CLU is the only University in North America offering courses in Jainism throughout the year and offers Masters degree in Jainism along with plans to offer Ph. D. program in Jainism in the future.
JIV DAYA COMMITTEE:Under the guidance of Pramodaben Chitrabhanu, this committee has sent donations to scores of panjarapols over the last 15 years.
NEW SCHOLARS: Couple of our scholars, Dr. Rajni Shah and Chandrakant Mehta of NJ have traveled to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Antwerp to help observe Paryushan Parva in those centers. These visits have produced many international links between Jain centers.
Particular mention should be made of the International Alumni Association of Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya (IAAMJV) founded by Anop R. Vora, Rochester, NY plus a few other
34