Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior

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

Page 61

THE MAKING OF JAINA
Mahendra Khandhar
The Committee also began to add more structure to the idea which had inspired this historic convention. The umbrella institution was to act like a Federation, wherein all member organizations would operate autonomously at the local level, but would be guided by the Federation for larger, external matters. These included being represented by the Federation at the national and international level, uniform study matter in all Pathshalas, socio-religious meetings at regional and national level, guidelines for visitors-monks-scholars, future planning for new generations and ageing seniors, unified dealing with the governments, possible representation in United Nations, and so on.
The Convention was held from May 22-25, 1981 in Los Angeles. It was a success! The event was graced with the presence of Pujya Acharya Sushilkumarji, Pujya Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, Professor Padmanabh Jaini and Professor Jagdish Prasad Sharma. In addition, delegates attended from New York, New Jersey, Washinton DC, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Rochester, Toronto, Chicago, San Francisco and several other cities. Many dignitaries were also invited, including Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr., Congressman Mervyn Dymally, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, LA Cultural Commissioner Dr. Marwah and Indian Consulate General Mr. Aziz. Hundreds of local JCSC members and others attended the Convention.
The Convention opened with invocation followed by welcome speeches from the JCSC President and Vice President, blessings from Pujya Sushil Muniji and Pujya Chitrabhanuji, and informative lectures by Professor Jaini, Professor Sharma and invited dignitaries. Delegates engaged in lively question and answer sessions, discussions and multimedia presentations.
Perhaps most importantly, the delegates discussed and wholeheartedly supported the creation of the Federation. They adopted the name The Federation of Jain Organizations in North America, or "JAINA" for short. The draft constitution was proposed, discussed, amended and approved by the delegates and those in general attendance. The first Executive Committee of JAINA was also elected and included Lalit Shah as President; Manoj Dharamsi, Tansukh Salgia and Dinesh Dalal as Vice Presidents; and Girish Shah as the Secretary/Treasurer.
And thus, the seed of JAINA was sown in May 1981 in Los Angeles. Nurtured by JCSC and the North American Jain communities, JAINA has now grown into an internationally recognized organization, representing thousands of North American Jains. The group has been recognized by the United Nations, the US Congress and the Government of India. The federation now includes over fifty committees and subcommittees, seventy-five member organizations and hundreds of volunteers. JAINA publishes a quarterly magazine distributed worldwide, and supports the efforts of sub organizations such as Young Jains of America, Young Jain Professionals and an organization for seniors. With an eye on educating the leaders of tomorrow, JAINA has also developed a classic series of uniform Jain textbooks for all levels of Pathshala classes, and has held 14 successful biennial conventions across the United States and Canada with attendance ranging from 3000 to 10,000.
The 15th Annual JAINA Convention will be held from July 1-4, 2009 in the founding city of Los Angeles, hosted by a founding member organization - the Jain Center of Southern California. It is our hope that JAINA will continue to carry the torch of Jain unity, and that it will be a beacon of inspiration and leadership to the world.
Mahendra Khandhar is the founding President of Jain Center of Southern California. He can be contacted at MKKhandhar@hotmail.com.
I hope to someday become a Pathshala teacher and pass on my knowledge of our religion to the next generation.
Shalini Dangi, 12