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HEADQUARTERS NEWS....
Media Watch and Public Relations Committee: Sushil Jain, Chairman of the Media Watch and Public Relations Committee informed the attendees that Jain prayers would be recited in the upcoming session of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate on May 22, 2001. For the first time in the history of the United States of America, Jainism and Jains will receive this unprecedented recognition and honor. Bipin Parikh and Vinay Vakani enthusiastically commended the achievements of the committee and all present applauded. (See details on this historic event and committee report else where in this issue)
Sushil Jain proposed to change the name of JAINA Media Watch to JAINA Public Affairs Council because the term council would have a lot more impact during press briefings. The Executive Committee members approved the proposal.
⚫ Jain Digest Membership Committee: Keerti Shah, Chairman of the membership Committee stated that more Jain Digest members were added since last year. He suggested that it would be good if we could make it a requirement that new directors be come life members of Jain digest. He also suggested that all Jain Centers should take the opportunity of Mahavir Jayanti celebration to start the drive to increase Jain Digest membership. Kirit Daftary suggested that the life membership should be increased to $201 from $101. Dhiraj Shah suggested increasing the life membership fee to $151fee starting July 2001. No decision was made. Keerti Shah mentioned that currently some people get multiple copies of the Jain Digest. This needs to be corrected. Veerendra Shah (CA) volunteered to correct this problem for his Jain Center.
Pilgrimage Committee: Dilip Shah, Chairman of the Pilgrimage Committee reported on the last pilgrimage to Sammet Shikhar. During this pilgrimage, they visited 75 Kalyanaks in 15 days. The details of the pilgrimage are published in the Spring Issue of the Jain Digest. Next year the pilgrimage will include a visit to Shatrunjaya (Palitana), Girnar and Kutch around the same time and for approximately the same cost as this year. Reference material on JAINA was distributed to Jain centers in India to familiarize them with JAINA and its activities.
Tirthoddhar Committee: Kirit Daftary, Chairman of the Tirthoddhar Committee talked about the visit to Lachwad during the pilgrimage. A local school that is in complete disrepair was promised to be rehabilitated. The committee has made arrangement Veerayatan to manage the work and the committee will finance it. Veerayatan is building a new eye hospital in Lachwad.
World Community Service: Dhiraj Shah presented a report on behalf of the Committee. He informed that JAINA has participated with Bhartiya Jain Sangh in setting up schools in earthquake affected areas. JAINA has so far raised $300,000 in donations. The largest donation of $100,000 came from the Jain Cen
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ter of America, New York. A total of 500 families have contributed out of which 22 are Jain Centers. Some of the Jain Centers have given donations for specific projects. There are two additional projects- (1) Community Health Center and (2) First Aid Center- that needs funding. If any Jain Center is interested, they need to donate at least $25,000. Government of Gujarat is likely support these projects in terms of providing land. JAINA plans to sponsor 250 pre-fabricated houses. The houses will be donated based on approved criteria. JAINA has already donated half the money required to build a school in Samakhyani. The committee has also donated to take care of 600 people who were taking shelter in Samakhyani. When Dhiraj Shah went to Gujarat, he took along with him 5000 blankets, 10000 food packets, 10000 mineral water bottles, 1000 torches, and 30000 lbs. of clothes. The second container carrying essentials is on the way to Gujarat. He has also sent 100 wheelchairs, 72 crutches and 18 canes. We still need $100,000 in donations. The names of the donors are available on www.jaina.org website.
Veerendra Shah of Los Angeles Jain Center gave an update on the relief activity that they carried out to help the victims of the earthquake. He informed the Executive Committee that $350,000 were collected in the form of donations and 11 containers of essential supplies were sent. He mentioned, he had gathered a lot of information on relief work and was willing to share it.
New Committee: Kirit Daftary proposed a new committee called Book Depot. As per his proposal, the committee will sell books to any individual. The books could be sold at the Convention. Also people can order books for Prabhavna distributions and Gift certificates will also be available. The book depot will work on no profit no loss basis. Currently two publishers in India have agreed to supply books. Girish Shah suggested the name of the committee should be Book Store instead of Book Depot.
Pravin Shah suggested when we sell the books through bookstore, we should ask for donations, because if you sell anything, you have to pay sales tax and that will become very complicated. Instead we can ask for donations. There were others who expressed concern about JAINA selling books (or other artifacts).
The Executive Committee approved the formation of new Book Depot Committee and Rohit Doshi was selected as the chairman of this committee.
JAINA Convention Board: The Executive Committee was briefed on the activities planned for the July Convention by various individuals involved in those activities.
Vinay Vakani recited the prayer "Khamemi Savva Jeeve..." and the Meeting was adjourned.
-Vinay K. Vakani, Secretary, JAINA
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