JAINA Convention 2009 07 Los Angeles

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

Page 26

JAINA: THE FOUNDING
TRW
TAN CONVENTION
LAUN
The concept of uniting all Jain communities in USA and Canada under one umbrella organization was conceived in 1980 by Lalit Shah, a visionary Vice President of Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC). The idea was well received by various Jain communities, scholars - Professor Padmanabh Jaini (UC Berkeley) and Professor Jagdish Prasad Sharma (University of Hawaii), and dignitaries - Pujya Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and Pujya Acharya Sushil Muniji. A convention committee of Sudhir Kothari (Chairman), Lalit Shah (Co Chair), Mahendra Khandhar, Pallavi Sheth, Dhiren Shah and Dinesh Gala was tasked to explore the feasibility of this concept and led to organizing the first national convention of Jains in the USA hosted by JCSC from May 22-25, 1981. The delegates met at the TRW Auditorium, Manhattan Beach,
JAIN