Jain Digest 2000 07 Vol 16 No 03

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

Page 11

We held the first ever Pratishtha Mahotsav in modern times with no Ghee Boli and widespread community participation with over 300 families participating in various Prathishtha vidhies on pre-assign basis. We held one of the most complex puja ceremonies event with flawless planning completely addressing all needs and requirements of all of our traditions. Various Prathishtha committees including religious and logistics committees did an exemplary job in planning minute details to make our event a memorable one in the history. According to all the visiting Sadhus and Sadhvies, ours was the most organized and peacefully held religious ceremony and pujas they had ever witnessed. Particularly, they were stunned by the pin-drop silence during Saturday cementing event in the temple with over 600 people on the temple floor, and the same thing in tents around the Bhawan where over 2,000 people watched the ceremony.
The hospitality committee made the necessary arrangements for all dignitaries for their accommodation, transportation, bus shuttle services for all people from Jain Bhawan to our tents, medical services, traffic management and registration services for the guests. It was a huge task and was extremely well done.
A NEW JAIN BHAWAN IN MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA
The Public relations committee did an extra ordinary job in developing a souvenir, program guide, puja books and Prabhavana kit. In addition, they sent out invitations to more than 8000 Jain families throughout United States and Canada as well in other countries. In addition, they handled all the publicity in newspaper and television coverage.
The cultural program was close to a professional program held by local artists and was attended by more than 4000 people. In addition, we held one of the largest and most colorful Indian Parades in the Bay Area, and certainly the largest Jain Parade in the US with over 14 units and over 1,000 people walking. Then there was Raas Garba program on Sunday night in which more than 3000 people participated.
We served over 18,000 lunch and dinner meals, and in addition over 9,000 breakfast and afternoon snack meals, all served by volunteers. We had over 300 Pratishtha Mahotsav, spendof the four day event.
volunteers working during the ing over 12 hours a day on each
This was the first ever audience in real-time via live For the first time, a Jain event including some of the nations news channels including local CNN and perhaps BBC
The backbone of our efing volunteers. Almost every in organizing this event. Evadmiration for our team ways professional, and always community's dedication and Dharma.
President, Jain Bhawan Committee Chairman, JCNC Board of Directors
We believe our biggest achievements of our Jain Bhawan Project and Pratishtha Mahotsav are unity, mutual respect and love, teamwork, professionalism and dedication of our community members. These are shining example of the strengths of our community and unity with diversity. This is the best way to practice to our great religion. Many of our religious dignitaries from India and around the world said "This is a great new milestone, and it will be written in golden letters in Jain History". For us at JCNC, this certainly has been the proudest moment.
Dr. Parveen Jain
Jain event viewed by worldwide Webcasting from Jain Bhawan. was covered by major news media largest newspapers, and major affiliates of ABC, NBC, CBS; and worldwide.
fort has been our team of untirBay Area Jain family was involved eryone had nothing but words of always there, always at service, alsmiling. We are truly proud of our commitment to the service of Jain
Jitendra B. Shah
President, JCNC Executive Committee
JAIN DIGEST FALL 2000/ 9