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REGIONAL NEWS
CANADA Mahendra Mebtu Regional Editor
Cornwall, Ont.
Natubhai Shah of Cornwall has been awarded the Order of Ontario. This is a rare honor reserved for citizens of Ontario who have distinguished themselves in their field of endeavour.
Hamilton, Ont.
The Center for Peace Studies instituted The Mahatma Gandhi Annual Ahimsa Lectureship at McMaster University, Hamilton. The 1995 lecture will be delivered by Andrew Ignatieff, an anthro- pologist-archaeologist who is currently a program manager with UNICEF, Canada. Mr. Ignatieff has twenty years experience dealing with non-violent approaches to trauma healing and community reconcili- ation programs in Mozambique, Croatia, and Burudi. A fund raising dinner was held at the Sangam Banquet Hall in Mississauaga, Ont. on Sunday, June 11, 1995.
For more information call: Rama Singh at 9051525-4471.
London, Ont.
On March 30, 1995 at Huron College, London, Ont. the Chander Mohan Jain Memorial Lecture was given by Christopher Khapple of the Department of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University on "Non-violence in Jainism and its impact on Asian civilization." This lecture was sponsored by Huron College.
Dr. Natubhai Shah
entertainment program consisted of nine items by younger members of our society. Janak Khendry gave a dance performances entitled Mahavir Vandana and Tillana. The celebrations were concluded with ghee boli, aarti, and dinner.
An international conference on Approaches to Jain Studies: Philosophy, Logic, Rituals and Symbols was held at the University of Toronto from March 31 - April 2, 1995. The conference was organized by the Center for South Asian Studies at the University of Toronto and the International Mahavir Jain Mission, Canada.
Papers were presented by scholars from North America, Europe, Japan, and India on topics as esoteric as "On the Jaina notions of Tiryak-Samanya and Urdvata-Samanya" by Piotr Balcerowicz of the Polish Academy of Sciences to something more current such as "Who is running the Pooja? A Jain Women's Mandal and the Ritual of Performance" by Mary Whitney Kelting of the University of Wisconsin.
Professor Padmanabh Jaini gave a presentation, with slides on "Jaina Monks from Mathura: Their Identification on Kushana Sculpture." There was a dance-drama performance by Janak Khendry on Sthulibhadra and Kosha adapted from a work by Jai Bhikkhu with themes of seduction, love, and spirituality played against the background of the fourth century B.C. empire of Nandas in Magadha. Over 100 guests attended this three-day program.
Shrimad's Anniversary was celebrated at the Jain Center on Saturday April 22, 1995 with bhakti, atmasiddhi and stavan recitings.
On May 8, 1995, a group of 16 seniors and young people from our neighbor the Royal York United Church led by Reverend David McKena visited the Centre and Temple. They were researching different faiths and wanted to learn more about Jainism. They were particularly impressed with five Mahavrats, especially Ahimsa. They asked broad ranging questions about Karma, rebirth, vegetarianism, and how we practice Jainism in our daily life.
Natubhai is the first Jain on this select group of twenty-two recipients. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II recognized Dr. Shah's work in founding Child Haven, a nonsectarian agency offering care to orphaned and abandoned children in India. This organization was started by Natubhai and Kulwant Shah and Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino from Maxville, Ontario in 1985.
Ottawa, Ont.
The Jain Society of Ottawa-Carleton celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on April 8, 1995 at the Hindu Temple of Ottawa Gita Bhavan in the Hindu Temple was filled to capacity with over 400 Jains and non-Jains. A replica of the Samovsaran was set upon the stage. Many stavans were sung in the evening. Ras and Garba accompa- nied by music were performed. A short presentation on the basic aspect of Jain tenets was given by Jagmohan Humar. A second presentation on vegetarianism was made by a youth member. The evening was concluded with a delicious meal prepared by the ladies of the Jain community.
Edmonton, AL
Devila Mehta and Jitendra Shah of Edmonton attended the interfaith prayers at the Edmonton City Hall on March 20, 1995 on the issue of eradication of racism.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated in Edmonton on Sunday, April 16, 1995 at the Hindu Temple. Over 350 people attended the celebrations. The Jain families donated a total of $350 dollars for the temple.
Toronto, Ont.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated at the Jain Center of Toronto on April 16, 1995. The program began with Mahavir Pooja and was followed by Snatra Pooja. The
June 1995 Jain Education International 2010_02
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