Jain Digest 2002 04

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

Page 7

HEADQUARTERS NEWS....
AHIMSA VARSH CELEBRATION
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA, in collaboration with JAINA and YJA, arranged a most fitting program in North America, marking the culmination of AHIMSA VARSH - 2600th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir. The two-day event at the Royal Albert Palace in Fords, New Jersey, on April 13 and 14 was like a miniJAINA Convention. Monks, dignitaries, scholars, singers, dancers, politicians and children participated. The celebration made possible for more than 2,000 attendees to review and learn the message of Bhagwan Mahavir with the festivity and the joy of a birthday party.
Originally scheduled for September of last year but cancelled due to the September 11th tragedy, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan doubled its efforts and put together a large coalition of international organizations such as Institute of Jainology, U.K.; World Jain Confederation, India; Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, Chennai, India; JAINA, YJA and JMIC, New York; and many Jain Centers in North America. Under the able leadership of Dr. P. Jayraman, Executive Director of Bhavan, all these organizations and the invited guests performed together like a well-tuned orchestra. Hundreds of volunteers brought about the whole event smoothly and incredibly on time.
The inaugural function on the Saturday morning started with Benediction by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji. Then Dr. Navin Mehta, Chairman of the Celebration Committee, welcomed everyone. The keynote speech was given by Dr. L.M.Singhvi, the Chairman of the International Celebration Committee formed by Bhavan. All the monks and the scholars spoke on the central theme of Ahimsa. Scholarly discourses were presented by Dr. N. P. Jain, Dr. Kumarpal Desai, Amrendra Muniji; Devendra Keertiji, Sadhvi Shilapi Ji, Samani Charitra Pragyaji and many others.
Three books released: A spectacular book of photographs and an essay by Dr. L. M. Singhvi titled Jain Temples in India and Around the World; a collection of essays by Dr. N.P. Jain: Ahimsa: the Ultimate Winner; and Jainism: A Tribute to Ahimsa: Images and Reflections, edited by Dr. P. Jayraman.
Jain Education Intemational
BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN, USA
Photographic Exhibition: Mahendra Visaria of Bombay brought a collection of 200 photographs showing art and architecture of Jain Temples of India that was a breathtaking experience that can only be experienced and not described. Also on view was a model of the Astapad Mountain by the Jain Center of America in Queens, New York.
YJA game show "Who Wants to be Mahavir," eagerly awaited by the youngsters, pleased everyone. The evening cultural program was started with a tribute to September 11th. Toral Shah's singing of "Amazing Grace" and "I Will Remember You" set the tone for the evening. Dance Drama of Chandanlbala choreographed by Rachna Sarang and aided by invited musicians and singers from India was the high note of the day. Other presentations, by the Jain Center of America and Jain Center of New Jersey, were also very well received. The evening ended with Bhakti Sangeet by Mrs. Shobha Joshi and her troupe from Bombay.
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The Sunday program started with Bhakti sangeet by Shri Anop Jalota. In the afternoon there were programs from pathshala children from the Cherry Hill Jain Sangh and Jain Samaj of New Jersey. YJA provided a one act play: Kasturi Mrug
written by Dr. Bharat Shah of Long Island, NY. Shri Pratap Bhogilal of World Jain Confederation and Shri Mahesh Shah of Institute of Jainology gave congratulatory speeches, as did Congressman Frank Pallone. Dr. Bipin Parikh, President of JAINA thanked Dr. Jayraman and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for holding the celebration with such gusto, dignity and grace.
A beautiful souvenir issued for the celebration, with a cover picture of Mahavir Swami's towering moorti. from Ahimsa Sthal in New Delhi, must be a collector's item by now. Dr. Mahendra Pandya, former President of JAINA, was honored with the Ahimsa Ratna Award. Sewa Ratna and Awards of Excellence were given to various illustrious personalities. Sumptuous vegetarian food, lots of smiles and unanimous praise reflected Bhavan's dedication to the celebration. The various informational booths in the lobbyWorld Community Service of JAINA, YJA, Book Stands, Jain Viswa Bharti) - were set up where people gathered and made new friends or renewed old relationships.
The audience was invited at the end to perform a very noble act: To sign a pledge of Ahimsa. The sight of young and old stretching their hand to receive the pledge form, the frantic search for pen to sign their name, and the voices of Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuj and Dr. N. P. Jain, reciting the pledge, will not happen again on this land soon but the message, the teaching, and the harmonic vibrations of that day will live on forever. The pledge is reprinted on the following page for all those who were not able to attend the celebration.
By Dilip V. Shah, Philadelphia. PA
JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 2002/5