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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA
The Grand Spectacle of 'Mahamastakabhisheka', the ritualistic head Anointing ceremony of Gomateshwara, has been an integral part of the composite Indian tradition for the past 1,000 years. The once-in-12 years ceremony was performed on December 19, 1993 at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, India where the majestic 58-foot statue of Lord Bahubali stands in all its splendor atop the Vindhyagiri Hills. The statue represents Bahubali, the younger son of Rishabha (Adinatha) - the first of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras. Dozens of Jains from North America participated in the grand ceremony.
TATVASUTRA IN ENGLISH
Tatvasutra, translated in English by Dr. Nathmal Tatia with the advise of Dr. Padmanabh Jaini and Kumarpal Desai, sponsored by Institute of Jainology, U.K., Bhagwan Mahavir Memorial Samiti (India), and Jains all over the world will be launched in May 1994 by His Royal Prince Philip (President of International Sacred Literature Trust and Worldwide Fund for Nature).
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MEDICAL CAMP
Jain Center of Southern California co-sponsored ongoing medical camp by Bidada Sarvodaya Trust from January 5 - January 19, 1994. Dr. Manibhai Mehta, along with Ramesh Shah, Vijay Chheda, Popat Savla, and Navin Gangar, coordinated the fund-raising and collected about $40,000 for this noble cause. Drs. Ashish Mehta and Manibhai Mehta also collected ophthalmologic and urologic supplies worth $20,000 and donated for use in this camp. Total of about 16,000 patients were examined and about 520 surgeries were done including 425 eye operations. The camp was attended by Vijay Chheda, Madhuben Chheda, Dr. Manibhai Mehta, Savitaben Mehta, Dr. Ashish Manibhai Mehta, Minesh Mehta, Ramesh Shah, Dr. Tarla, and Dr. Pravin Kapadia from Southern California. Many others from U.S.A. attended the camp, including JAINA secretary, Rameshbhai Shah and Dr. Jayaben Shah from Cleveland, OH. Also Tushar Mehta of Toronto, Ont. and Purvi Shah of North Carolina participated. The entire effort was led by Dr. Manibhai Mehta of L.A. First Vice President of JAINA.
Patients in line for check up after Cataract surgery at two day camp. Co-sponsored by Jain Center of Southern California.
Dr. Ashish Mehta, M.D. examining an eye patient at camp. January 1994. Co-sponsored by Jain Center of Southern California.
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MARCH 1994 www.jainelibrary.org
