Int Jain Sangh NJ 2002 04 Mahavir Jayanti

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

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YOU TOO CAN MAKE A DIFFRENCE!
-Dilip V. Shah
Have you ever wondered what good you can accomplish if only you had some free time? As a good person, you steadfastly believe that serving the poor is a supreme form of devotion, but the pursuit of American dream leaves no time for social work. Here is an inspiring story of a 22-year-old Niyati Sheth in Oklahoma.
A senior at University of Central Oklahoma majoring in Opera Performance/Premedicine she has been active in YJA as their Oklahoma City representative for six years. She is President of her music fraternity - Sigma Alpha Iota and performed abroad in countries such as Italy, England and Ireland with choir and chamber ensembles/ active in Presidential leadership council and Microbiological research. You get the picture.
Attending YJA and JAINA conventions she was very much influenced by Acharya shri Chandanaji and Sadhwi Shubhamji. Both her parents had been to the JAINA Pilgrimage of Samet Sikhar and other Tirhdhams of Bihar twice and told her stories of abject poverty and state of children in Bihar. At the JAINA convention in Chicago last July, she met Kirit Daftary, Chairman of the Tirthoddhar Committee who told her of the school and medical clinic his committee was helping to build in Lachhawar - Birth place of Lord Mahaveer at an estimated cost of $90,000 under the guidance of Acharya Chandanaji.
Niyati decided to help. She set a goal of raising $15,000. She planned a 2-day Yoga & Meditation workshop featuring H. H. Shree Amrender Muni for Mid October. Registration fee ranged from $50 to $100. But the September 11 tragedy forced cancellation of the camp and no future date was set. No one asked for a refund of the registration fee and she convinced others to contribute for her project. She raised $4,100. In a town with only four Jain families this young girl, in spite of the obstacles created by the September 11 tragedy persevered, juggled her education, hobbies, family and social life to achieve a noble goal.
Drs. Pankaj and Avani Sheth are the proud parents of Niyati. They taught their daughter value of charity and service by example. Let us hope Niyati's example will inspire many others to act on their instinct to do good.
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"Mere reading of holy books is of no avail unless the knowledge derived from them is translated into practice and used in shaping one's conduct in life." ----Mahavir
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