Jain Digest 1999 04

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

Page 10

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Inauguration of Jain Community Hall
in Singapore Gurudev Chirabhanuji flew to Singapore to offer his benedic- tion at the inauguration of the Community Hall of the Jain religious society of Singapore on Valentine's Day in February of 1999. The Hall is called Jain Sthanak. Buildings renovation was made possible by a generous donation of $500,000 by Shrimati Nirmalaben Doshi and by the valiant initiatives of Shri Nagindas Doshi, President of lain Religious society of Singapore, for pursuing a project costing three million dollars.
In his presentation, Gurudev emphasized the need to be generous and to work for others. But, he added there is also the need to maintain a concern for one's selfless spiritual development and purity. "The temptation of heaven and the ignorant fear of hell eclipse our vision of the Self to observe our goals in life. Our feelings and concerns for other fellow beings - human and/or animal - arise spontaneously. Action inspired by desire of heaven or fear of hell are stifled actions. Such actions make us deviate from the Self. It is that inner Self that we need to discover and illuminate." The celebration was impressive and meticulously planned.
Dr. Kumarpal Desai Receives Award
The renowned Gujarati writer and thinker Dr. Kumarpal Desai has been chosen for this years coveted award, the “Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award” for his outstanding and dedicated workin various fields of human activities and for upholding human values and cultural heritage. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.3 lacs, a trophy and a citation. The Jury which has unanimously chosen him for the award was chaired by Honorable Mr.Justice P.N.Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India.
Dr. Kumarpal Desai has penned more than seventy books so far emphasizing human values and cultural heritage of mankind. He has also been regularly contributing columns in various front rank newspapers and periodicals. He has spread the message of the cultural heritage within and outside India and propogated the same through series of lectures and other programmes sponsored by national and international organisations.
Smt. Shushilaben Ramniklal Mehta
Cardiac Institute Inagurated On the 29th of March, Mahavir Jayanti Day, the Smt. Sushilben Mehta Cardiac Institute, with up-to-date facilities for treatment, was inaugurated at a function held in Bombay. The land was a magnificent gift by Sir Kikabai Premchand Trust, and it was due to bold initiatives of visionaries like Shri Manubhai Shah of Ruby Mills that Rs.10 crores - 100 million was collected for this ambitious project.
The stirring speech of Shri Chitrabhanuji and the inspiring example of the moving spirits behind this Institute so moved the audience that nearly Rs.30 million were donated by the attendees immediately with Rs.20 millions being a generous donation offered by Shri B Arunkumar, in honour of his Mother in whose name the hospital has been established. In fact, the entire Mehta family has been a support to the project as have been philanthropists like Mrs. Bina Christopher, daughter of Chandubhai Doshi of Malaysia and it is this generosity that has made possible this ultra modern center which will be one of the best heart care institutes in the country.
Samans Visit African Countries Saman Sthitpragya and Saman Ashwani Pragya, disciples of Acharyashri Mahapragya, completed a two-month tour of several East African and Mid-East countries which included Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, Egypt and Israel. Their mission was to spread the message of peace, non-violence, and ecology based on the teachings of Lord Mahavira, and to teach Preksha Meditation, Anuvrat and Science of Living. In Tanzania, the Samans addressed the Jain Sangh at the Indian School, and the program at the Rainbow International School in Uaganda was hosted by the Jain Samaj. The Jain and Indian public in Zambia had the benefit of attending the program given by the Samans at the Zambia University and the AIDS Center. In Ethiopia, members of the Jain Samaj took great interest in the lectures and workshop on Preksha Meditation and Yoga conducted by the Samans. The visit to Israel was coordinated by the Ben-Gurion University. Samans presented a series of nine lectures and workshops in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Medicine. Both, the faculty members and the students were very interested in learning about the non-violent and ethical behavior as advocated by the Jains. Following the success of this tour, the Samans have been invited for a re-visit.
Biography of Late Shri U.N. Mehta On the first death anniversary of Shri UN Mehta the founder of the Torrent Group and the shining star of the industrial galaxy of Gujarat, a function was organized in Ahmedabad, recently. The purpose of the function was to release his biography 'Aafato ni aandhi vachche samruddhi nu shikhar' written by Dr. Kumarpal Desai. The writing of the biography is as unique and touching as its content. Dr. Singhvi said that this biography has become a 'living voice of Late Shri Mehta. He congratulated Dr. Desai for penning a successful life and extraordinary human endeavour. 8/JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1999 For Private & Personal Use Only
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