Jain Digest 1999 07

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

Page 30

"There is nothing more powerful than an idea. No weapon cana destroy it, no power can conquer it, except the power of another idea." YOUNG MINDS (continued)
Gujarati Meets Multimedia Education
For many second generation Gujarat youth raised in America, Gujarati has become the language that their grandparents speak and English has become "their" language. English undeniably has its importance for surviving and communicating in this Western world. But Gujarati still retains its significance as our mother tongue and the language of many of the original Jain scripture translations.
Parents are often caught in a dilemma as to which language to emphasize while their child is still growing and learning. The usual, and most rational, choice is English. Yet, parents cannot give in completely to Western society and have their children forget where they came from. So, they purchase countless Gujarati lesson books and give home lessons on the language- yet, this is only effective to a point. In order to assure that children attempt to learn Gujarati on their own and throughout their life, one must make the learning experience as enjoyable as possible.
Sai Enterprises introduces Gujarati Master, a fun-filled multimedia expedition into the Gujarati language. The software is geared for Gujarati children living under foreign skies. The course puts a emphasis on grammar as well as basic rudiments of the language. Each lesson is followed by a fun quiz to test the knowledge of that particular lesson. Sai Enterprises will donate a portion of their proceeds to YJA to help encourage youth education and interaction.
First year law student, Bijesh Patel said, "This tutorial program will definitely make our younger generation appreciate the richness of the Gujarati linguistic heritage and most importantly want to
learn it on their way." The software has been endorsed by JAINA, Gujarati Samaj of NY, NC as well as Gujarati Literary Academy along with many other organizations.
The multimedia set contains three CD-ROMs. Main topics covered are counting, alphabets, wordcraft (making words), half sounds, activities, tenses, adjectives, adverbs, joining words and making sentences. There is also a glossary full of words to increase vocabulary and conversation skills. With the purchase of the two Gujarati CD-ROMs comes a free Rhymetime CD-ROM that has numerous melodious songs that even adults can enjoy and has an audio track on a regular compact disk player.
To obtain more information about the Gujarati Master as well as other products like Ramayana, Panchatantra, Fables from India, Karishma (the wonder that is India), a new Jainism software (will be available shortly), and many more, please call 1-888-82CD-ROM or visit www.saienterprise.com. If you chose to purchase any software, be sure to mention YJA because Sai Enterprises has agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds that comes from YJA sales.
"If we incorporate innovative technology of the modern era into an education system, we can inspire the youth to learn about their culture and their mother tongue. This was the developers main focus when creating animated characters and fun multimedia techniques with which children can relate," said Dipal Pandya, spokesperson for Sai Enterprises.
YJA Pen Pals
The Young Jains of America Events committee would like to put together a nation-wide Jain Pen Pals Program. The program would help to introduce youth from different Jain communities to each other. After being introduced, the Pen Pals can keep in touch through email, phone calls, letters, and a wide variety of media. They can look forward to meeting each other at conventions and other YJA events. Some of our closer friends can even arrange to meet each other on their own time.
Any interested youth can sign up for YJA Pen Pals Program by filling out the form below or filling out a form online (www.yja.org). Pen Pal candidates will be paired with other candidates based on their age group, location, hobbies, and other information we will gather with this enrollment form.
The program itself is part of a major YJA goal to unify Jain youth across the U.S. Pen Pals will help to increase youth interaction and education, it even has the potential to expand to an international level. Once enough entries have been received and "pals" are matched up, YJA will begin to deliver contact information to its Pen Pal candidates. Then, each Pen Pal can contact the person they have been matched with and begin to communicate.
28/JAIN DIGEST⚫ FALL 1999
Program
If you are interested in being a pioneer in the YJA Pen Pals Program, please fill out the following form and send it to: Reshma Modi, 29531 Greenboro, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.
YJA Pen Pals Program Enrollment Form
Name:
E-Mail Address:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Age:
Gender (circle one): M or F
Interests/Hobbies:
Information about the kind of Pen Pal you would like: Age: Gender (circle one): M or F
Region (circle): Mid Atlantic/South East/Mid West/South West Interests/Hobbies: