Jain Digest 1998 04

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

Page 11

REGIONAL NEWS
Canada Dr. Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor
Edmonton, Alberta
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on Sunday, April 19th, 1998 as the main event of the day at our temple before 300 people. Both Jain and Hindu communities participated in the celebrations. The Jain youth took part in the main pooja. This was concluded with Shanti Dhara, Aarti and Priti Bhojan.
Toronto, ON
Elections. At Annual General Body Meeting of Jain Society on March 29, 1998, a new Executive Committee was elected for a two year term. The team consists of: Ashok Shah—President, Shan Jain—VicePresident, Vishakha Varia—Secretary, Atul Mehta-Treasurer, Amit ShanghaviYouth Representative, Lata ChampseeLadies' Representative. Members: Paulomi Gudka; Paresh Doshi; Lalit Mehta; Prabhulal Mehta; Chandrakant J. Shah.
For the first time, four youths stood for the election and all of them were elected with overwhelming support. This bodes well for the future of Jain Society of Toronto and its entry into the new millenium.
Young Jains. Approximately 24 young Jains are attending Youth Convention in Houston, Texas, in July. This will be the largest delegation from Toronto. Our youths are preparing a seminar for the Convention featuring an open forum for debate and a professional video on alcoholism. Youth are planning a second Religious Seminar on 25th July this year and some 200 registrants are expected. The speakers are chosen from local and University of Toronto faculties. The young Jains of Toronto had organized a semi-formal dance on 15th May and it was well attended.
On Sunday, 10th May, the students and teachers of Jain Pathshala bid a sad farewell to Balbhadraji (Bruce Costain), who has been a great inspiration, role model, organizer, teacher and a great resource person for all young members of Pathshala group.
He will be greatly missed by Toronto Jains.
Watch for further events on the notice board and e-mail Sports
In March, during Mahavir Jayanti celebration, Jain Society of Toronto youth, along Days, Day with Mr. S. Khamsera, presented a check in the amount of $17,991 to Dhirajbhai Shah. at Blue Jays game, annual summer picnic, lifting children off the street and teaching new elections for YJT Exec., Religious camp them etiquettes, responsibility, how to bein September and volunteers for work at come good citizens, assimilate in the society such places as the Daily Bread Food Bank. and become self sufficient in future. We
Jaina Pathshala Teachers Conference. have now uplifted approximately 5,000 The First Quadrennial Conference was held children of the street of Mumbai. They also in Boston on May 23-24 and a large group visited Jaipur Foot Project which is the of Pathshala Teachers, scholars, Jain educa- project of the Rotarians of India fitting an tion material developers and prospective artificial leg or a limb to amputees or accieducators from Toronto attended the con- dent victims. It costs approximately US$ 50 ference. The report and new ideas will be to have a foot and it can be fitted by a well implemented to set up new curriculum, trained technician. These two projects are syllabi, networking and generally raise the handled by RotarianManubhai Sanghrajka, standard and profile of Jain Education. Rotarian Preeti Shah and Rotarian
108 Arhad Abhishek Pujan. This Pujan Mahendra Mehta. From Canada Rotarian was performed by Babubhai Kadiwala and Chris Snyder and Rotarian Keshav his group on Saturday, May 30th at the Jain Chandaria coordinate. This project was inCenter. The main events included troduced by Keshav Chandaria to Mumbai Shantinath Bhagwan Sthapna, Ashta Prakari Clubs and played a leading role to get the Pooja, Bhagwan Shantinath abhishek, 8 Clubs agree to take this project. The visit of abhishek, 108 main abhishek, 16 Anek Prakari Governor General has enhanced this project Pooja, Ashta Mangal Pooja, Pokhanaa cer- on an International level. emony, 108 Deepak Aarti, Mangal Divo, The Swastik Controversy. The Globe Shanti Kalash, and Shanti Dhara around the and Mail, Canada's national daily newspaCenter. The pujan was followed by Swami per, and Toronto Star have now agreed to Vatsalya (dinner) & Prabhavna.
amend their syle book entry to differentiate His Excellency, Governor General between the Jain auspicious swastik which Romeo LeBlanc and Madam Diana Fowler stands clockwise and at 90 degrees from LeBlanc visited the Project Mainstream and other corrupted versions which are at times Jaipur Foot in Mumbai on 27th March at 45 degrees and other times anticlockwise. 1998. The Project Mainstream is the project Prakash Mody deserves to be congratulated of Rotary Club of Toronto and other Ro- for taking the matter to Ontario Press Countary Clubs in Mumbai. The project is for cil and winning his case.
Jain Education Intemational