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JAIN DIGEST
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
SUMMER 2001 VOL.18 NO. 2 CIRCULATION: 7500
Dear Dharambandhu,
In this issue
Headquarter News..
Life of Virchand Raghavji
Gandhi...
V. R. Raghavji's
Contribution to Jaininsm..10
V.R. Gandhi's Literature...12
Committee News....
Regional News
It only feels like yesterday that this Executive Committee was sworn in two years ago. As they say, time flies when you have fun, even if it is in performing your duties. The enjoyment for this Executive Committee was in discharging its duties to advance the cause of our religion in a very sincere and cooperative manner, always following the essential spirit of our religion-Anekantvad and Ahimsa.
In my acceptance speech, I promised to work on the strong foundation laid down by our past presidents. I would like to review with you some of the achievements we have accomplished in these two years.
As you may have realized, Jain Digest has spectacularly improved in its appearance as well as its diversified contents. Many issues were dedicated to special occasions, such as Prathishtas, YJA/ YJP Conventions, Shrimath Rai Chand's Centennial, and Shri Kanji Swami's Birth Centennial. The Spring issue is dedicated to the commencement of Lord Mahavir's 2600" Janm Kalyanak Celebrations. Our congratulations to its Editor-in-Chief and the entire editorial board.
JAINA's World Community Service, under the leadership of Bachubhai Ajmera, Bhadresh Dhila, and Prakash Mehta, with the guidance of Mr. Dhiraj Shah, has also stood the test of time. As we all know, at present, it's deeply involved in rebuilding villages by adopting them in the earthquakestricken state of Gujarat. Most of JAINA's member centers, such as New York, Boston, and Washington, have joined with JAINA in contributing their funds, putting full faith in the experience, devotion, and sincerity of our committee members. To other centers, who have still not joined in this long-term task of helping to rebuild, I sincerely advise you to join your hands with JAINA.
JAINA's Tirth Yatra project is getting more and more popular with Jains in North America and receiving full support and welcome in India. Maybe, the dream of its chairman, Mr. Dilip Shah, of taking more sanghs to various Tirths each year may come true one day.
JAINA's newly-formed Tirthodhar Committee, has not only done well in helping institutions take care of our Sadhu sangh, but has also taken important lead in taking care our modern Tirths (our primary educational schools). My hearty congratulations to Mr. Kirit Daftary and his team and his committee members.
JAINA's Media Watch and Public Relations Committee, under the leadership of its chairman Dr. Sushil Jain, has done a tremendous job in promoting recognition of Jain religion and the Jain community in our nation's capital, Washington D.C. For the first time in the history of the United States, a Jain prayer will be recited in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives on May 22nd 2001. The committee has also been active in protecting the name 'JAIN' from becoming a trademark name for a product of the technology giant Sun-Micro Systems.
JAINA's Mahavir Memorial Committee, under the able leadership of JAINA's past president, Dr. Manoj Dharamsi, has already developed plans for year-long celebrations for the 2600ch Janm Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir, along with a very impressive and informative booklet on Jainism and Lord Mahavir.
Life Members Update........22
JAINA Current Financial
Statement.
MIS Registration Form......23
Matrimonials
Young Jian Professionals....27
Young Minds............
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Cover: The cover photograph was taken on the steps of the Capital Building, in Washington DC, right after the prayer in US Congress with Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., House Chaplain Conghlin, Manek Muniji and Gurudev Cbitrabbana small photo: All the past presidents of JAINA
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