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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (continued)
The same weekend, the Jain Society of Greater Detroit successfully completes a historic Prathista Mahotsava ceremony for their newly constructed temple during the July 4th weekend. Myself, along with the JAINA Executive Committee, participate in the ceremony.
March 1998
The JAINA Executive Committee met in Philadelphia and approved a proposal to send each of the Jain centers a multimedia CD-ROM published by the Pluralism Project, Harvard University, entitled On Common Ground-World Religions in America. This CD-ROM has 110 pages on Jainism.
The Samarpan Jain Sangh of Philadelphia presents their winning bid for the 10th Biennial JAINA Convention. The Executive Committee unanimously approved a resolution to hold the '99 JAINA Convention in Philadelphia.
August 1998
Jain centers across North America celebrate Paryushana and Dash Lakshana Parva. Thousands of Jains participate in these activities. Hundreds of them fast during these holy days.
April 1998
The ground breaking ceremony for a temple takes place in Atlanta on April 5th. Acharya Chandnaji and Shubhamji conduct the ceremony.
September 1998
JAINA becomes an official sponsor of the World Parliament of Religions, to be held in Capetown, South Africa on December 1st through the 8th, 1999.
JAINA applies for membership to the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). I met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in New York and submitted a memorandum to him regarding the Year 2001 celebration of Mahavir's 2600th birth anniversary.
May 1998
On May 2nd, the Jain Center of South Florida performs a Bhumi Pujan on a newly acquired 3.9 acre area for their temple. Gurudev Chitrabhanu performs the ceremony.
JAINA sponsors the first ever Pathshala Teacher's Convention on May 23rd and 24th. With the help of the Jain Center of Greater Boston, JAINA is able to gather more than 80 teachers. These teachers develop a uniform curriculum for children ranging from the grades of kindergarten to the 12th grade. This curriculum will be available in the near future.
On Memorial Day weekend I attended Cherry Hill temple's eighth anniversary where two 6' x 8' marble pats of Palitana and Girnar were inaugurated.. Gurudev Chitrabhanu and Sadhvi Shubhamji were present at this first such installation in North America.
October 1998
One of the lifelong dreams for many Jains is to make a pilgrimage to Samet Sikhar. This is the place from where 20 Tirthankars attained Nirvana. I, along with 64 Jains from North America, go on a pilgrimage to Samat Shikar that lasts from October 1st to the 14th. This is the first Jain Sangh ever from North America to our motherland. Dilip V. Shah of Philadelphia takes care of all the details to make this yatra successful.
The Sangh is received with much fanfare everywhere it visits, including Patna, Bihar, where Governor S.S. Bhandari hosts a luncheon for the Sangh.
JAINA also participates in the silver jubilee celebration of Veerayatan and donates a Phaco-emulsification machine for cataract operations to Veerayatan.
June 1998
On June 9, 1998, a cyclone devastates the west coast of India. Thousands died and many were left without shelter and food. Once again, JAINA was there. JAINA sends thousands of pounds of clothes to be distributed to the needy and JAINA adopts two villages, Ragha and Shekhadia for complete rehabilitation. At this moment, 75% of the reconstruction of both villages has been completed. I visited the area twice and saw the work being done first hand.
November 1998
JAINA adopts a new mission statement-From Cradle to Cremation-JAINA is there. The North American Jain Families Assistance Program helps a cancer stricken family in Northern California, raises funds for a woman from India who needs a bone marrow transplant, and helps a Canadian student in her studies.
JAINA's Executive Committee, its' Board of Directors, and the JAINA Charitable Trust meet in Chicago. The Trust announces a $5,000 grant to any center which is building a nonsectarian temple.
July 1998
The Third YJA convention takes place in Houston. Over 725 young Jains participate from July 2nd through the 5th. Gurudev Chitrabhanu, Sadhviji Shilapiji and myself were the keynote speakers. JAINA contributed $5,000 to support our youth.
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