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CANADA
Mahendra Mehta Regional Editor
The Jain Society of Alberta
Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated at the Jain/Hindu Temple on St. Albert Trail and will be followed by Priti Bhojan. For further information, please call Jashvantbhai Mehta.
The President of Jain Society of Alberta and the JAINA Director for Alberta is actively encouraging all the Jains in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to register early for the 9th Biennial JAINA Convention and some 30 families are expected to attend.
The Jain Society of Toronto
Toronto is going to be the venue for the 9th Biennial JAINA Convention. The preparations have already started under the leadership of Sobhagya Khamesra our president. Committees have been organized to oversee, programming, fund-raising, souvenir magazine publication, cultural activities, art and exhibition, hotel accommodation and of course the food.
The younger Jains have organized themselves into a formidable group and already chalked out a comprehensive educational, social and cultural program for themselves. The ladies have shown tremendous enthusiasm by launching an arts project, Jain quilt' making, cultural programs and many more.
Over 5,000 people are expected in Toronto for the convention and at the latest count, 75% of the rooms at the conventional hotel are already booked. The Delta Hotel next door is now selected to take the overflow. For more information, call the president or any convention committee member. Detailed information can be found on pages 13 - 18.
The pratishtha for relocation of pratimaji in the new gabhara extension was performed on January 5, 1997 under the
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Jain Education International
REGIONAL NEWS
direction of Dharamchand Shastriji. Over 300 members attended the function starting with a flag hoisting, ghata yatra, vedi suddhi, pooja, shanti holm and abhishek.
The Diwali program was held at Martin Grove Collegiate in November, 1996 and over 800 Jains attended. Young Jains from 6-26 years in age entertained an appreciative audience with music, garba, dances, skits, and a fashion parade. The day concluded with a dinner that was gastronomical delight.
The Toronto Jain Society now has two pathsalas the East and West. The indefatigable husband and wife team of Arvind and Meenaben Shah is now augmented by arrival of Bruce Costain (Balbhadra) and the pathshala is becoming more popular than ever. Bruce Costain has already trained the first generation of young pathshala teach
ers.
The Annual General Meeting was held on March 23, 1997.
Roop Lal Jain Memorial Lecture was held on March 22, 1997 at University of Toronto was delivered by Paul Dundas.
MIDWEST
Manubhai Doshi Regional Editor
The Jain Society
of Metropolitan Chicago
Acharya Chandanashri of Viraytan, India visited Chicago in September, 1996 with two of her pupils. Their talks were arranged at the Jain Center.
Paryushan Parva was celebrated in September, 1996 in the presence of Rajendra Shah. There were daily talks and Bhanvan. The Swapna ceremony was organized and Samvatsari Pratikraman was performed. The Center was crowded to the capacity on both occasions. Daslakshan Parva was celebrated for 10 days in the presence of Paramatma Bharril.
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As usual, many members observed austerities on the occasion of Paryushan. Thirty-three persons including youngsters fasted for eight days or more. About 100 persons observed some form of fasting during Paryushan.
The Council for Parliament of World Religions organized a day long conference for spiritual leaders in October, 1996. Uttam Jain and Manubhai Doshi, were invited to participate on behalf of the Jain community.
The centenary celebration of the Atma Siddhi Shastra was organized in October, 1996 in conjunction with the installation of an idol of Shrimadrajchendra.
A Jain bowl was organized on the occasion of Mahavir Nirvan day in November, 1996. There were three groups of students who competed. It was a thrilling experience for everyone.
A general body meeting of the Society passed a new constitution on December 15 1996.
435 North Route #59 Bartlett, IL 60103 708/969-8845
The Jain Center of Cincinnati-Dayton
The Center elected the following member to its Executive Committee: Mahesh Shah, President; Ashwin Parekh, Vice president; Dilip Punatar, Secretary; Hemant Jain, Treasurer; Jwala Prasad, Education; Swati Jhaveri, Food; Kirtan Patel, Facilities; Ila Punater, Membership; Jigna Shah, Youth; and Surendra Singhvi and Chandu Shah were reappointed as JAINA Direc
tors.
A course on Jainism was offered at the University of Dayton that was taught by Surendra Singhvi, Sulekh Jain and Jwala Prasad. Ten students who were not Jain took the course. The Center is proud of them and their teachers for such a fine accomplishment.
The total membership has grown from 20 families in 1987 to 145 families today.
March 1997 www.jainelibrary.org
