Jain Digest 1999 07

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

Page 21

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SPIOTRDIENNIAL JA
VARDHAMAN
"Vardhaman" means the one that rises, the one that increases. That was the name of 24th Tirthankar of Jains, Mahaveer Swami. The name was the message of his life.
Jains have not wasted 2500 years since our last Tirthankar. The Jains in North America have been inspired by Pujya Sushilmuniji and Gurudev Chitrabhanu and they are galvanized to grow since 1971. That was evident at the 10th Biennial Jaina Convention held in Philadelphia between July 2nd and July 5th 1999 at the Valley Forge Convention Center.
THE FIRST DAY
The four day event started on Friday afternoon with Marriage Information Service organised by Lataben Champsee and Keshavjibhai Gada which was attended by 250 youths (Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Artists, Pharmacists, Businessmen and women and some still students). We had a cruise in the Delaware river attended by more than six hundred people. Those who did get to go had a good time and those who could not were disappointed. We express sincere regrets for this disappointment and apologize for the inconvenience and hardship caused to some people who could not
Gurudev Chitrabhanu led the inauguration ceremony
of the temple from Los Angeles Jain Center, get in. In the evening Janak Khendry and his troupe from Toronto
OPENING CEREMONY presented Pancha Kalyanika' a dance drama based on the life of
July 3rd Sunday morning was the opening ceremony. A beauMahaveer. The music, the costumes and the dancers were exquisite. Rajendra Jain and Anandjibhai of the Kalyanji Anandji fame
tiful procession led by the Grand Marshal Dr Navinbhai C. Mehta delighted the crowds in the evening with their music and singing.
and the Chief Guest Mr Frank Pallone the Congressman from New Jersey (who is the founder of India caucus in the U.S Congress) included the three keynote speakers Gurudev Chitrabhanu, Father Carlos G.Valles of Ahmedabad and Sadhavi Shilapiji of Veerayatan, the present and past presidents of JAINA, the Convention Board and members of the executive committees of JAINA and Samarpan Jain Sangh, Jaina Directors and Patrons, and a cadre of speakers and visiting dignitaries like deputy ambassador of India to U.S. Shri T.P. Sreenivasan, Shri Dhiraj Shah - Honorable Speaker of Gujarat Assembly.
The convention, with the theme of " Jainism in the New Millennium“, opened with the blessings from Acharya Chandanaji
of Veerayatan. The convenors Devendra and Meeta Peer expressed Devendra Peer, Dhiraj H. Shah and Meeta Peer watch as Congressman Frank
hope in their opening speech that this convention will become a Pollone, Ir., inagurates the convention by lighting a lomp.
forum for exploring new ideas and discussing issues facing the Jain
community to determine our path for the New Century and a New The JAINA Directors held their meeting. Devendra Peer and Millennium. The president of JAINA Dhirajbhai Shah recited the Hansa R.Shah welcomed all directors to our city and invited them accomplishments of the past two years. as guests to the Banquet in their honor. The Directors elected a new Mr Frank Pallone, the chief guest gave a promising speech president of JAINA for next two years. Dr Mahendra Pandya was depicting a picture of increasing dialogue between India and USA elected President, Dr Bipin Parikh First VP, Mr Anop Vora was the two largest democracies, that holds prospects of lasting peace elected Treasurer and Mr Vakani was elected Secretary of JAINA, and friendship. Gurudev Chitrabhanu gave one of the most inspirDeepika Dalal (SE), Kirit Daftary (SW), Ila Mehta (MW), Hans ing speeches of his life. In emotional tone filled with fervor he spelled Maru (NE), Jasvant Mehta (Canada) & Girish Shah (west) were
out what life as a true Jain could be in the land of promise and elected regional vice presidents. Dr. Dhiraj Shah will serve as ex- prosperity that is unhappily beset with voilence, if one follows officio.
Jainism.
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