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JAIN DIGEST
SPRING 1998
VOL. 14, NO. 1
In this issue
From the Editor in Chief........ 3
Meet the JAINA Committee Chairpersons
........
Meet the JAINA Special Office Bearers
Headquarters News
International News..........
Matrimonials
3
Regional News
Committee News.
For Your Information........... 12
Fund & Member Update ..... 13
JAINA Patron Update.
13
JAINA Appeal
13
For Our Health.
14
Detroit Pratishtha Info......... 15
Pathshala Conference Info.. 20
Pathshala Teacher's Communication Network.... 21
Parshvanath Vidyapeeth..... 22 Young Minds.
23
.7
JAIN DICEST Circulation
Federation of JAINA P.O. Box 700
Getzville, NY 14068-0700
12
29
MIS Information.
MIS Registration Form......... 31
30
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Jain Education International 2010_02
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
President's Diary
Editor's Note: President Dhiraj Shah went on a goodwill mission to the UK and India. Dhirajbhai met with several dignitaries and briefed them on the activities of JAINA. Below is his diary of activities from December 1997 to February 1998.
DECEMBER 20, 1997 Arrived at London. Received by Jain leaders of London. Met representatives of 29 Jain organizations. Spoke to them about JAINA and its activities. A very good interaction with all of them. In the evening, attended Swadhyay at Navnat Hall and addressed the gathering.
DECEMBER 21
Dr. Natubhai Shah took me to Leister Temple in the morning. It was probably the best temple I have seen in the western world. Congratulations to all involved in this beautiful project. Met the leaders of Jain Samaj of Europe and exchanged ideas. In the evening, Dr. L.M. Singhvi, India's High commissioner to the U.K., invited for dinner and discussion. We had a very lengthy and fruitful talk on many subjects particularly about the celebration of Lord Mahavir's 2600th birthday.
DECEMBER 24-25, 1997
Met the leaders of the Jain community of Bombay and briefed them about the activities of JAINA. Discussed building organizational bridges between JAINA and the Jain Communities in India.
JANUARY 6, 1998
Press conference at Chelmsfor Club - Delhi. Press conference was attended by all the major news organizations of India including Times of India, Hindustan Times, Hindu, Navbharat Times, P.T.I., Reuters and many others. It lasted 2 hours and the press was briefed about JAINA and its activities, particularly in regards to the humanitarian. Approximately 100 publications wrote the story about JAINA and its activities. I do not think that we have ever been able to convey the message of JAINA-Ahimsa, Aparigrah, Anekantvad and Anukampa to more than 300 million people by just one press conference. It seems to be the most effective tool. I will encourage all Jain leaders to use this tool and spread the message of Mahavir. In the evening, I addressed members of "Ahimsa International" and answered questions about JAINA.
For Private & Personal Use Only
JANUARY 8
Meeting with the U.S. Ambassador Richard Celeste for about one hour. Briefed him about JAINA and its activities and also its positive effect of improving Indo-US relations. The Ambassador had read details of the press conference, and was very impressed by our activities. The meeting was also attended by his political advisor Eric Tunis, Heather Goldman of USAID, R. P. Jain, coordinator for "Jains Abroad" and Ramesh Jain of the Times of India. I presented the ambassador The Peaceful Liberators. Addressed the members of JAIN MAHASABHA in Delhi and urged them to continue their good work.
JANUARY 9
Interview with Statesman. JAINA got nationwide publicity when this interview was published on the 11th of January. On the 18th January, the Times of India, Delhi supplement published my interview. Dr. Jagat Jain, former JAINA President, and myself met with Mr. K. C. Jain, community leader of Delhi, accompanied by Mr. R. P. Jain of Delhi.
JANUARY 10
Flew to Bhuj-Kutch with American Counsel General, Mr. Huddle., to observe Bidada Medical Camp. Worked in the camp till the 18th.
JANUARY 11
Inaugurated the medical camp at Nakhatrana and spent a day treating patients.
JANUARY 12
Addressed Bhuj Jain Sangh and briefed them about the activities of JAINA. Inaugurated BHUJ Blood Bank.
JANUARY 13
Visited Vasai Medical Clinic started by JAINA. Clinic treats 75 patients a day at no cost to the patient.
JANUARY 19
Met Muni Jambuvijay, Scholar of Jainism, asked for the guidelines about temple formation. His thoughts are very close to JAINA'S.
Continued on page 4 JAIN DIGEST SPRING 1998/1 www.jainelibrary.org
