JAINA Convention 2007 07 NJ Edison Program Guide

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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DR. KUMARPAL DESAI
Dr Kumarpal Desai, a Padmashri Awardee, is a well-known writer whose contribution to diverse fields such as literature, education, journalism, religion, sports and social service has been invaluable. He has authored about 100 books He is the president of Gujarat Sahitya Parishad the most prestigious literay organisation in Gujarat. Formar Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Gujarat University. Dr Desai has guided a record number of twenty Ph.D. students. Dr Desai is the co-ordinator of Institute of Jainology and he is the first recipient of the Jain Gaurav Award of Bharat Jain Mahamandal, Jain Ratna' from Atal Behari Vajapeye former Prime Minister and the President's special Award of JAINA of America.
PANKAJ JAIN
Pankaj Jain came to the United States in 1996 as a software engineer. Quit his career in IT to contribute to the Indian studies within the American academic system. Got a Master's Degree in Indian Religions from Columbia University in 2003 and then join PhD at University of Iowa from 2004. Currently teaching Sanskrit at Rutgers University and World religions at New Jersey City University. He is interested to connect ancient traditions with contemporary issues. He relates his critical observations with global environmental problems based on the latest ecological theories. He plans to continue working in current religion theories to devise new categories of knowledge for the study of Indic traditions.
PARIMAL GANDHI
Parimal Gandhi In the profession since more than thirty years, Parimal is a results-oriented, innovative, gifted and acclaimed international facilitator, consultant, speaker and author. His abiding interest lies in the application of timeless philosophies to human life for holistic human and organizational development, performance and happiness. With academic backgrounds in Chemical Engineering, Literature and several international certifications, he orchestrates heart felt learning experiences in his areas of interest: Leadership, Teams, Customer Service, Management Development, Performance Management, Innovation, Time Management and Trainer Training, His participants number in the tens of thousands and his client list ranges from Fortune 500 companies to small and tiny industries and families. He lives and works in the USA and India.
PRAMODABEN PRAMODAJI CHITRABHANU
Pramodaben Pramodaji Chitrabhanu started studying Jainism at the age of eleven. Gifted in Sanskrit, Jain mantras, music, vegetarian nutrition. she plays the sitar and has a professional singing voice. After receiving her BA from Bombay University, majoring in psychology, she dedicated her life studying Jain Dharma in depth. She is President of the Jain International Meditation Center in Bombay and is on the Board of Directors for PETA in India. She also sponsors projects in educating and rehabilitating the poor and the underprivileged. She works for Reverence for Life Society and Beauty Without Cruelty which promote animal welfare and the vegetarian way of life worldwide. She is a director of Jain Meditation International Center in New York City and chairperson of JAINA's Jivdaya Committee. She has written four books: Foods of Earth; Tastes of Heaven - Jain Symbols - To Light One Candle (co-authored with Clare Rosenfield) - The Book of Compassion (co-authored with Pravin K. Shah
PRAVIN K. SHAH
Pravin K. Shah is a founding member of Jain Study Center of North Carolina and an Executive Committee Member Federation of JAINA. He is a chairperson of JAINA Education Committee and advisor to YJA and YJP youth organizations. He is an Electrical Engineer, retired from IBM and lives in Raleigh North Carolina. He is a Jain scholar and activist against animal cruelty. He is also a member of the Harvard University Pluralism Project Advisory Council and director of Wake County Interfaith organization. He has published several articles and books on Jain philosophy, cruelty to animals, and Comparative religions. One of his objectives is to prepare the Jain educational material in English for youths and adults of the Jain community at large. He offers two-day interactive workshop on various aspects of Jainism to prepare Jain Päthashälä teachers and educate community at large. The education committee section of the JAINA website (www.jaina.org) contains significant information of Jainism prepared by him.
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