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Rathyatra Participants
was attended by Jain, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Islamic, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Bahai, Zoroastrian and the Peace Council representatives. Everyone praised and talked about the theme of the convention, Peace Through Nonviolence. This session was attended by almost 4,000 people.
This event was followed by the awards ceremony at which the JAINA awards and recognitions were presented. The institutional recognitions went to Jain Center of Southern California for hosting and promoting the Jain Art Exhibition and to Jain Center of Pittsburgh for its exceptional organization of the 1993 JAINA Convention. Eleven adults were presented with JAINA Recognition Awards and eleven young people received JAINA Youth Awards.
The variety of programs catered to the interests of everyone - adults, youths, and children. The Essay and Art competitions were judged and winners recognized within different age groups. The
Outstanding Leadership Award
Jagat Jain received the Outstanding Leadership Award at the JAINA Convention for his leadership, as president from 1993 - 1995. In addition to his ceaseless effort in moving JAINA forward, he was recognized for his effort in making JAINA a more democratic organization by demonstrating the necessity for all of the directors to vote whether they attend the convention or not and getting that amendment adopted. Plus, his unceasing efforts to make JAINA a more financially stable organization. We honor and applaud his efforts that brought together all those people who accomplished these tasks.
Sept./Dec. 1995
Jain Education International
Arriving for Pratistha
best newsletters from Jain Centers were selected for recognition. Young children participated in games, religious paintings and storytelling. The young people joined in the discussion of religious and cultural issues and competed in the Jain Academic Bowl. Nearly 250 young people and adults participated and presented cultural programs including a Ras Garba competition. A Jain ballet entitled Sthulibhadra and Kosha presented by Janak and Gopika received ovations. The Jain families from Rajasthan organized a Rajasthan Association of Jains in America (RAJA). Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya alumni had a large gathering.
A JAINA Convention is an important event for exchanging ideas among everyone in the Jain Community. The 8th Biennial JAINA Convention certainly fulfilled, and indeed surpassed all expectation.
JAINA Ratna Award
Manoj Dharamsi was honored at the JAINA Convention for his exceptional contribution in promoting Jainism in North America. Manoj was one of the founders of JAINA, and served as its first president in 1983.
Among his many contributions were to serve as the Associate Editor of the Jain Digest, reviewer for the Jain Study Circular, founded the Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington in 1980 and its president from 1980-1993 and very involved in helping all ages learn about Jainism by organizing religious classes, musical events, competitions, trips and lecture series.
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