Int Jain Sangh NJ 2002 04 Mahavir Jayanti

Author(s): Int Jain Sangh NJ
Publisher: USA International Jain Sangh IJS

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MAHAVIR JAYANTI PROGRAM
Knights of Columbus Hall, 88 Jackson St., South River, NJ 08882
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2002
Program Coordinators: Dr. Ashok Jain & Mr. Rajendra Kumar. Hosts: Dr. Seema Jain and Mrs. Anita Kothari
10:30-11:15
Mahavir Swami Puja - Prem Jain, Lata Dosi and Shri Jain Worship and prayer to Lord Mahavir
11:30-12:30
Welcome - International Jain Sangh (IJS)
Pravachan (Spiritual lecture) - Samani Pratibha Pragyaji and Jagat Pragyaji. Samanijis are disciples of Acharya Mahapragyaji. Pratibha Pragyaji was initiated in 1989. She is MA in Jainology and speaks six languages including Pali and Prakrit. She has presented papers at several international conferences and teaches in the Jain Vishva Bharati Institute. Samani Jagat Pragyaji was initiated nine years ago. She is MA in Jain Philosophy and a melodious singer. She is currently assigned to Jain Vishva Bharati Preksha Center, Houston, Texas.
Pledge for Mutual Respect and Nonviolence The community members take a pledge to be respectful to others, and to become nonviolent and peaceful persons as best as they can on this auspicious occasion.
IJS Award of Excellence The Award of Excellence for the year 2002 to Dr. Dhiraj H. Shah of Buffalo, New York, recognizes his leadership for promoting the principles of Jainism worldwide through humanitarian efforts. He is acting chairman of JAINA charitable Trust and former President of JAINA. He has been instrumental to help thousands of affected people during tragedies such as earthquakes in Uttarkashi (U.P.), Maharastra, Gujarat and Northridge (CA); Orissa cyclone; Mississippi river flood; refugees in Rawanda and Kosovo; etc. He coordinated the project of Mahavir Gram village with 68 houses and a school completed in Orissa in 2001 for JAINA, and is currently working on the Vardhman Nagar project with 250 houses under construction in Gujarat. He regularly conducts medical camps in India and has donated medical equipment and computers to several hospitals and schools. In April 2001, he was among the 26 prominent Jains worldwide awarded JAIN RATNA by the Prime Minister of India.
Pravachan (Spiritual Lecture) - HH Amrender Muniji Maharaj He is a disciple of late Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj, the first monk to preach and travel outside of India. He visits several countries every year, participates in interfaith programs, and preaches the values of nonviolence, peaceful co-existence and environmental protection. He regularly meets community leaders in an effort to influence their approach to reduce violence and increase compassion. He promotes yoga camps; medical camps, training and other activities, which give, hope to the less fortunate, especially women. He consoled several families who lost their loved ones in the Sept. 11 tragedy last year. He also visited Godhara in Gujarat after the recent communal violence.
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