Jain Digest 2001 03 Vol 18 No 02

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

Page 16

COMMITTEE NEWS....
WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICES:
GUJARAT EARTHQUAKE AND JAINA
It is a matter of great pride and pleasure to inform all of you that the Federation of Jain Association in North America (JAINA) has raised $350,000. JAINA sincerely appreciates 25 Jain Sanghs and more than 500 donors who generously responded and contributed such a large amount to alleviate pain and suffering caused by this massive natural calamity.
JAINA has spent so far $24,000 cash for earthquake victims. Distribution of 500 blankets, 10,000 food packages, 10,000 water bottles, 1000 flashlights, sponsoring a primary school at Samkhyali near Bhachau, feeding 600 people for one month at Mandvi, immediately after the earthquake were carried out. JAINA also donated ten (10) computers for children, victims of earthquake at Veerayatan Vidhyapeeth, Bhuj. JAINA also shipped 100,000 lbs. of clothes, 100 wheelchairs, 50 walkers, 100 crutches, 100 canes and medical supplies to earthquake affected area, worth hundred thousand dollars.
WHAT JAINA PLANS TO DO IN NEAR FUTURE:
JAINA has planned to rehabilitate 250 families who lost everything and have no source of income. e.g. a widow with a child or children who have lost their bread winner, widower (who has lost his business or job) with child or children, widows, physically handicapped, old aged couples who have no family members to
B.S. Ajmera Chairman
WCS
301-431-2525
Prakash Mehta Co-Chairman
WCS 703-318-8252
JAINA CALENDAR AND MINI-LIBRARY
The response to the JAINA Calendar in the past two years has been extremely heartwarming, both spiritually as well as financially. Incorporating your valuable suggestions, we have:
For further information and suggestions please contact following JAINA representatives:
Bhadresh Dhilla Co-Chairman WCS
a) increased the quantity of calendars printed to 11,000 b) changed the layout of Calendar 2002, making it more
informative and educational
c) ordered 1,200 sets of the following three books, making them available to all of the active Trustees, Patrons, Sponsors, respondents and selected educational institutions in North America:
1) JAINISM-A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of NonViolence by Mr. Kurt Titze
14/JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 2001 Jain Education International 2010_02
support. JAINA also intends to build primary and middle school, library, community hall and first aid health care center.
Average house will be 350 sq. feet, built on a 1000 sq. feet plot. Total cost for each unit will be approximately $3000. JAINA'S share per unit will be $1500 (50% of total cost), the other $1500 will come from Government and local N.G.OS. JAINA is still short of approximately $50,000 for the construction of 250 houses. Jain Sanghs who have raised funds for earthquake victims and have not forwarded them to JAINA are humbly requested to do so.
Primary school is sponsored by Jain Society of Toronto. Middle school is sponsored by Jain center of greater Boston. Library is sponsored by a community from upstate New York. Community hall and first aid health care center each costing $30,000 needs a sponsor. Jain Sanghs sponsoring any of above projects will have privilege to inscribe their names on marble plaques in front of these buildings.
Marble plaque in front of Mahavir nagar or Vardhman nagar (a name of entire project) will have the name of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America and Jain Center of America, New York, NY. The Jain Center of America contributed very generous sum of $96,000 for this humanitarian project. The entire project will be built near village Bhujodi, Seven (7) kilometers away from Bhuj.
We urge all the individuals and Sanghs who have yet to contribute to JAINA, please do so as soon as possible.
301-570-1117
Dr Dhiraj H. Shah Project Manager
Earthquake Victims Relief 716-773-1314
2) JAINA-Religion and Philosophy by Dr. Nagin Shah 3) ASPECTS OF JAIN RELIGION by Dr. Vilas Sangave
As we celebrate the 2600th Janm Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir, during the year 2001-2002, we plan that the remaining 5,000 Jain households in North America will receive these books and calendars free of charge, which will cost us approximately $ 200,000.00.
To fulfill this objective, an early commitment of your generous contribution will help us in planning and carrying out this great
project.
Rajeev K. Pandya
Chairman, JAINA Calendar Committee