Jain Digest 1990 11

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

Page 12

Matrimonial Apologies
We regret -
1. The omission of Rajesh Sanghavi' s ad in July '90 issue of Jain Digest.
2. The misprint of weight "144 lbs" instead of "114 lbs" in the ad by Mr. Kapashi of U.K. in July '90 issue of Jain digest. 3. The omission of Sanjay Shah's ad in April '90 issue of Jain Digest.
Vantage Point
Federation of Jain
Associatons In
North America
JAINA
JAIN
By Sulekh C. Jain, President
D
uring the past year many members of the JAINA ex ecutive committee have been traveling to various Jain centers in N. America and India. I too personally went to India, Dec. '89 and Jan. '90, and visited many Jain places and met with many Jain scholars, leaders, monks, and acharyas. In N. America, I have visited Jain centers in Los Angeles, Boston, St. Louis, Detroit, New York, Vancouver, Houston, Buffalo, Siddhachalam, Cincinnati, and Dayton.
These visits provide us opportunities to meet with the Jain community, discuss issues and feel their pulse as to directions and activities that JAINA should undertake. Amongst many things, I would like to address one issue of major importance at this time.
The item that requires our serious and immediate attention is our youth. We are probably 30, 000 to 35, 000 strong in N. America. Purely on a statistical basis, we should have about 15,000 kids out of which at least 7,000 to 10,000 must be Jain youth of the age group 13 and above. Many of these have reached or will be reaching marriageable age within less than a decade; definitely by 2000 A.D. (which is not far away). This new generation will take complete charge of the Jain Sangh. In some Jain centers, this has already started taking place. Question is, how well prepared are these young Jains to carry on the traditions of Jainism that we believe and practice. To meet this challenge, what are JAINA and Jain community in N. America doing? This is a major concern
DIGEST
since time is very short. Well, speaking on behalf of JAINA, either we have or are trying to start following activities:
Youth Forum in Jain Digest
First JAINA/St. Louis Jain Center summer camp - July 1990
Jain Pratikarman in English
Production and procurement of well-written, simple and easy to read Jain books and videos in English
First Jain Youth Exchange Program from England - Summer 1991
Establishment of Young Jains of America national youth organization
Marriage Information Service, advertisement, data bank and referrals
JAINA library-two; one in U.S.A. and another in Canada Jain Scholar Visitation program
Youth Seminars at JAINA conventions in Chicago and Toronto
1991 JAINA convention in San Francisco will have its major emphasis on youth
All this is like a drop in a bucket. A lot needs to be done soon by all of us: JAINA as well as all the Jain centers. The youth of today will be the leaders of the Jain community of tommorow. In many meetings and discussions with youth, they are asking for our support, guidance, consideration, attention, and committment.
In many of our religious programs, it is not uncommon to see a sight where youth are completely left out. While we celebrate our festivals and do our pujas, youth are nonparticipative and oftentimes are playing outside. How long will this go on? Are we listening, paying attention and doing something about it. I urge you to pay attention. Let us hear what you are doing in your community and what you expect JAINA to do.
Jai Jinendra.
Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor:
The new format, its contents, and the quality of printing of the Jain Digest are excellent. We have received two issues so far; April and July 1990.
My family and I wish to convey our congratulations and best wishes to you and your associates for the diligent work and time to publish this informative and interesting publication to serve the community. We will be happy to play our role, in whatever way we can that would benefit the community at large.
It would be nice if we can expand the scope of the matrimonial column and I feel Mr. F.J. Dalal is doing commendable work in this area. Perhaps such listings may be published and mailed every month-if economics permit either through subscription for MIS monthly circular or donation on voluntary basis. This is just a food for thought for the benefit of young generation of marriageable ages.
- Navin N. Shah, 2675 Primrose, York, PA 17404
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