Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

Page 107

Ramesh Doshi
ANEKANT COMMUNITY CENTER
F
Lollowing phenomenal growth of the Jain Center of Southern California, it became evident that a separate independent organization was needed to focus on the humanitarian, educational and cultural activities that would benefit a broader range of citizens - both in the USA and abroad. Such an organization should be unhindered to (a) pursue the intended goals without any faith-based or sectarian biases; (b) attract corporate sponsors and government grants to fund various projects,; and (c) offer services beyond the borders of race, religion or country - for the benefit of all humanity... This realization led to the formation of Anekant Community Center (ACC) in 2005. Anekant is a core Jain value which defines acceptance, tolerance and respect for all others. ACC is a community resource organization dedicated to enhancing health, education, cultural and community awareness. ACC plans to promote a non-violent and eco-friendly way of life based on three core values - Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (non-attachment) and Anekant (acceptance, tolerance and respect for all others).
Since its formation, ACC has been involved in a wide range of activities which are summarized below under various categories.
Healthcare
A free annual health fair at Jain Center where we offer EKG, pap smear, mammogram, bone marrow density, body fat content measurement, blood tests etc. along with an ⚫opportunity to consult with multiple medical and surgical specialists.
Anaheim Health Fair - An annual health fair has been started from 2007 with the help of Anaheim City and Chamber of Commerce for the benefit of constituents of Anaheim and the neighboring cities.
Preventive measures - Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification courses with the help of Shanti Charities were offered at Jain Center in 2006 and 2008.
ACC has initiated an annual surgical camp to operate on hernia and hydrocele at Vyara Homeopathic College and Kalidas Hospital from 2007. 135 operations were performed in 2007 and 170 in 2008.
Following the earthquake in October 2005 in Kashmir, a consignment of prosthesis was sent to Karachi, Pakistan with the help of Bidada Trust.
ACC along with Arpan and Mosi took a team of 11 physicians and 3 volunteers to Ndola, Zambia in May 2007 where 300 patients were examined and 60 operations were performed.
Along with Arpan a mission was sponsored to Columbia in October 2007.
I have friends who support me as a vegetarian as well as a Jain. Tripti Shah,