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HEADQUARTERS NEWS
Samet Shikhar Yatra Update 64 North American Jains have signed up for the very first Sangh Viswavidhyapith, Bodhigaya and other near by sites of pilgrimage. Yatra organized by JAINA to places of pilgrimage in India. They are On many of the outings we will also be joined by Sangha from from New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Chicago, Detroit, London and Nairobi, Kenya making this possibly for the first time, Oklahoma, N. Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. We an International Sangh Yatra. During the three day celebration at will be leaving on September 30th with many passengers starting Veerayatan, we will also have the opportunity to meet with the from New York and some starting from Chicago. Dr. Dhiraj Shah, Prime Minister of India. President of JAINA will be leading the Sangh.
Travel arrangements to India and back are made by Jaya Travel This pilgrimage to Samet Shikhar is coinciding with Veerayatan's and travelling within India has been organized by Veerayatan. We 25th Anniversary. At arrival in their cities, we will be received by Jain at JAINA are hoping that this will become a regular activity for us Sanghs of Delhi, Patna and Calcutta. We will also be visiting and more and more will join us. For more information call Dilip Pawapuri, Kundalpur, Rajgiri, Rajubalika, Nalanda Shah at 215/561-0581.
YJP Planning a Cruise Young Jain Professionals are planning second annual meeting from Oct 23-26 to discuss issues facing Jain professionals. The convention with seminars and discussions is open to both married and single persons. Total cost for this Royal Caribbean cruise is $382 (2 per cabin) and $257 (4 to a cabin) Deadline for registration is August 24 and your deposit is fully refundable 60 days prior to the cruise. If you have topic ideas or are interested in speaking or moderating a discussion, contact Shilpa Shah at 404/321-4637 or shilpashah@ibm.net. For any infomation about the Cruise, please contact Sunit Sanghrajka at 561/287-7995 or sunit@bigfive.com.
Course on Jainism Offered For the second year, a 5-week course with 1 credit hour was presented to students at the University of Dayton. The course was titled " JAINISM & NON-VIOLENCE" Prof Vinod Jain, Drs. Sulekh Jain, Jwala Prasad and Surendra Singhvi presented lectures covering Jain principles, history, practice, rituals, role of JAINA and affiliated centres in North America and vegetarianism. Students were given Introduction to Jainism by Dr. Bharat Shah as the text book. After viewing a 30 minute video "Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise", many students took vows not to eat meat or reduce their consumption. Other Jain centres may consider sponsoring such course at their local universities and promote the Jain Philosophy.
JAINA Executive Committee Meets in Detroit A meeting of the Executive Committee of JAINA was held on in New York and won a promise from him that at any future July 4th in Detroit. After reading of the minutes of last meeting, important functions at the New York consulate, JAINA members treasurer's report was distributed. The tax returns for 1997 and will be invited to attend. He met representative of the UN to see if financial report to the U.S.A.I.D were all filled on time.
JAINA can be granted the NGO (Non Governmental OrganizaPresident Dhiraj Shah reported that JAINA is financially tion) status. The UN representative was very impressed by JAINA'S strong and a mature organization. Since the March meeting in affiliation with US A.I.D. and recognition by Red Cross. Our Philadelphia, he represented JAINA at the groundbreaking cer- application will be considered at their next meeting. He represented emony for a new temple in Atlanta and Miami. In Miami a 10-Acre JAINA at the ground breaking ceremony at Siddhachalam for their site next door to the temple is available for possibly creating a Jain $1.2 million dollar Bhojan Shala. Trustees of Siddhachalam passed senior citizen housing complex if the local zoning laws allow it. a resolution granting a permanent trusteeship position to the JAINA sent brochures of Samet Shikhar Pilgrimage to all 8,000 Jain president of JAINA. This is another evidence of close relationship homes on our mailing list. Summer issue of Jain Digest was between JAINA and Siddhachalam. He attended YJA Convention published and had special appeals from JAINA for the Cyclone relief on July 2 and 3. JAINA paid $1,800 for distribution of CD-ROM fund for coastal towns of Gujarat. JAINA will try to raise $50,000 on Bhagwan Mahavir's life to all attendees. and sponsor two villages. He was pleased with the success of the first Anop Vora was asked to look in to formation of Young Jain Pathshala Teacher's Convention in Boston that was attended by 85 teachers. He attended 8th Annivarsary celebration of Cherry Hill
Continued on page 6 Temple in New Jersey. In June, he met with the Counsel General
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