Jain Digest 1997 11

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

Page 8

HEADQUARTERS NEWS (continued)
website their center has created www.jainism.org
They have put 39 books, 70 articles and wealth of information. If you have any non-copy righted material of interest to Jains he will put it on the web at no cost to JAINA. He also talked about regional youth convention. He pointed out a multimedia CD-ROM published by Harvard University on Pluralism that will be of interest to all Jains. He has offered to work on a book with JAINA to be published in American English for Jain households in North America as a primer on Jainism that will be distributed to all 8000 Jain families. Helping him in this effort will be Dr. Prem Gada of our Education Committee.
Bachubhai Ajmera, newly appointed chairperson of World Community Services wants to create an escrow fund of $100,000 so when an emergency cry for help comes from any corner of the world, JAINA can readily respond.
Ilaben Mehta who was appointed to the North American Family Assistance Program explained in the shortest speech of the day, mission of her committee- to help any Jain family in crisis situation.
Nirmal Dosi of Scholar Visitation Committee estimated that Jain Scholars have delivered 68,000 lectures in North America. He would like to see combined celebration of Paryushan and Das Laxana for the entire Jain community. He presented offer from Dr. Kirti Shah and his brother Virendra Shah who perform various pujas, that they have offered to perform Jain weddings for any families. Any donations received by them will be contributed to JAINA General funds.
Dr. Jagat Jain who will head Community Leadership Council, said he wishes to develop human resources for the future leadership of JAINA.
Dr. Navin Mehta Honored
Dr. Navin Mehta, a well-known philanthropist of New Jersey, was honored by former Prime Minister of India, I. K. Gujral, during his visit to New York City in September. Our congratulations to Dr. Mehta who is also ardent supporter of JAINA.
Congratulations to....
Chaaya Kapadia of New York City to be appointed in charge of Annual JAINA Essay Contest to be held in early 1998. (See page 9 for details).
6/JAIN DIGEST WINTER 1997
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Jain Social Groups Federation-Sixth International Conference
International conference organized by Jain Social Groups Federation will take place at Poona on 19th, 20th, and 21 December, 1997. Individuals interested in attending the conference should contact Mugatbhai Doshi, President JSG Federation: (022) 5164263 Fax (022) 511-3087.
Swadhyay Shibir at Tithal, Gujarat
Parshavnath Aradhna Shibir at Tithal will take place on December 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Individuals interested in attending should contact Shanti Niketan Sadhna Kendra at Tithal, Gujarat.
"21st Century Belongs to Jains"
by Mr. N. A. Palkhiwala The next millennium begins with three very important events for Jains. In the year 2001, the first and foremost event for Jains will be 26th hundredth birth anniversary of Bhagavan Mahavir, who was born in the year 599 BC.
Secondly, Shrimad Rajchandra, who expired in 1901, was the Guru of Mahatma Gandhi. He expired on the 16th of April, 1901, at the age of 33. We will be celebrating his 100th death anniversary.
Thirdly, we will be celebrating the 100th death anniversary of Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi. He expired on the 7th of August, 1901. He attended the world parliament of religion in 1893 in Chicago. V.R. Gandhi was instrumental in introducing Jainism to the Western world more than a hundred years ago.
JAINA fully intends to celebrate all these three events. Anyone interested in any of these three events should write to:
JAINA Headquarters
PO Box 700 Getzville, NY 14068
Acharya Hasti Smirti Award
Four eminent scholars of Jainology were honored and presented the prestigious Acharya Hasti Smirti Award for the years 1994 and 1997 by the Samyag Jnana Pracharak Mandal of Jaipur India. The recipients are: Professor Sagarmal Jain of Benares; Bhagchandra Jain, Bhasker, of Nagpur; Pandit Dalsukhbhai Malvania of Ahmedabad; Professor Prem Suman Jain of Udaypur.
The award was presented in recognition of their contributions in the field of study of Jainism, study of Prakrit, and for promotion of research in Jainism. The consists of a beautiful plaque, a shawl and a check for Rs. 21,000 to each recipient.