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JAINA President Awards - 2017
Individual Awards "Outstanding Jivdaya & Education Awards"
Shaleen Shah Shaleen Shah of Colorado is of strong belief that animals have rights but mostly these rights are ignored and non-existent. It is his mission to Inspire a More Compassionate World for Farm Animals - Jivdaya in Action. He not only rescues animals that are abused but by sharing their stories, he imbibes knowledge of jivdaya. He hosts tours and numerous outreach and educational events every week to raise awareness and
inspire the community around him to view farm animals differently - that they are no different than the dogs and cats that they may love so much. He ask them to include farm animals in their circle of compassion and to go vegetarian or vegar He has been blessed to be able to save nearly 50 lives in the past one and a half year. Each month, hundreds of community members, church groups and school kids visit the sanctuary, and their events, and many get inspired to take steps of including farm animals ir their circle of compassion. He organizes events as diverse as 'Sanctuary Yoga' to 'Vegan Farn Dinners', and numerous nutrition and cooking classes as well. The information in these event: and the stories from rescued residents, gives inspiration to their visitors to make more compassionate choices for animals. He has full hearted support of his wife Shilpi.
"Outstanding Community Services Award"
Punita Shah
If one thinks about being blessed - Punita considers herself to be truly blessed. With the blessings and guidance of her Guruji - Pujya Acharya Shri Chandanaji, she has been working to uplift downtrodden for the past twenty years. Punita Shah has been blessed with the gift of involving, motivating and energizing people to join this noble cause. Her positive energy brings out the best in all.
Her favorite charities is to support schools and hospitals for the less fortunate people. She strives to be there for people in need financially, physically, and emotionally for young and old. No task is too big or too small for her. She is a sister to several, mother to many and a friend indeed to thousands. As her name indicates she has been Punyashali to serve the cause of poor with Tan, Man and Dhan. She lives in New York with her husband Arun and daughter Misty.