Jain Digest 1995 06 Vol 11 No 02

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

Page 14

In conjunction with the Mahavir Jayanti program, the pathshala students were invited to participate in an essay and art competition based on the theme of "Love and Peace Through Non-Violence." The essay competition winners were judged in three different age groups - up to 9 years, 10 to 13 years and 14 to 18 years. The winners in their respective ages groups were: Shreyans Parekh - 1st, Vrinda Shah - 2nd; Anil Ranavat -1st, Mansi Shah - 2nd; and Sunita Mehta - 1st, Mirag Sanghvi and Premal Doshi - joint 2nd. These winners were presented with a gift certificates and invited to read their essays during the celebrations. The art competition was judged in the same age groups. The winners were: Akash Desai - Ist, Vrinda Shah - 2nd; Ronak Zhaveri - Ist, Mansi Shah and Chirag Desai - joint 2nd and Anjali Desai - Ist, Zarna Kamdar - 2nd.
"Nem-Rajul" Dance Drama, San Diego, CA
one's nature, He spoke about the impor- tance of abiding in one's own dharma, or real nature, which is essentially devine. He explained that indulging in noble deeds draws a person closer to Moksha marg, the final destination of every human being. Roop Chandji Maharaj has devoted his life to helping the socially deprived of India and has established centers for these people in New Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.
by Kirtida Bavishi. The pathshala children sang the songs, under the direction of Avni Shah and Dipti Dalal and recited the Jain Manglik Stotras under the direction of Neeraj Jain.
San Diego, CA
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on April 22, 1995. Approximately 250 people attended the celebration which began with Vir-Vandana performed by Paresh Shah and his colleagues. In his presidential address, Praful Doshi conveyed the message of anekantvad and non-violence by citing the example of India, where people of different languages, religions and traditions have managed to stay united and live harmoniously.
The youth swadhyay group organized a “Jainpardy based on the Jain tenets and the Prekshadhyan group presented religious songs.
A dance drama entitled "Trishla-mata's 14 Dreams" was presented by 26 children ranging in age from 4 to 12. The drama that depicted the dreams of Lord Mahavir's mother was choreographed and directed
Praveen Jain recognized the contributions of the Executive Committee members and outlined the upcoming events for the year. The event concluded with a swamivatsalaya dinner.
The major highlight of the program was the presentation of a dance drama entitled "Nem-Rajul" which was performed by 41 pathshala students ranging in age from 4 to 16. The drama depicted the story of Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar. The message of non-violence that this drama conveyed, touched everyone's heart. The program continued with the celebration of Lord Mahavir's birth, aarti, and Mangal Divo, concluding with a swamivatsalaya dinner.
San Francisco, CA
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated with a day long program of religious discourse, performances and presentations by children. The occasion also served as a fund raiser for the proposed Jain Bhavan. H. H. Roop Chandji Maharaj from India talked about Bhagavan Mahavir's life which emphasized truth and non-violence as part of
"Trishla-mata's 14 Dreams", San Francisco, CA
JAIN DIGEST
June 1995 www.jainelibrary.org