Jain Digest 2002 12 Vol 21 No 4

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

Page 15

BIDADA SARVODAYA TRUST
COMMITTEE NEWS...
WHY SHOULD YOU BECOME A LIFE MEMBER
OF JAIN DIGEST
Bidada Sarvodaya Trust in BIDADA, Kutch (Gujarat) is a success story of unparalleled magnitude. Twenty-eight camps have been completed successfully so far. Over 2.0 million patients have been treated at NO COST to them at these ANNUAL camps. The camp attracts patients from over 900 villages in Kutch; patients come to these camps from villages as far as 50 miles away. In the past more than 80 doctors and volunteers from USA and over 200 doctors and volunteers from Bombay have come together and donated their time, talents and their expertise to these camps. "Wheels of Hope"- A JAINA Medical Equipment and Supplies program provides Surgical, Laboratory, and Operating room supplies. This program has also provided beds, mattresses, wheel chairs, walkers and crutches for the disabled and the handicapped.
What are the reasons for tremendous success of this camp? Vijay Chheda, their US based trustee summarizes it below: • Professional environment and plenty of help from
Paramedical, Lab technicians, and Nurses Loyalty from a number of doctors from USA; some of them have been attending the camp for the last 10 years. Patients requiring major surgeries are transferred to Mumbai. The trust provides all treatments free of charge including surgeries in Mumbai. Patients treated at the camp are given regular follow-up examinations even after completion of the camp. Tremendous facilities provided for the Doctors,
Volunteers, and the patients Results and success stories from the camp are communicated to over 2000 people!! The 29th Medical and Dental camp starting January 2nd through January 18th, 2003, will cover 22 medical specialties. It is estimated to serve more than 18,000 patients and perform over 700 surgeries. This year there is a special focus and concentration on children's problems and diseases.
We encourage you strongly to experience this camp in person by visiting this professional facility once while visiting India. You will be very happy, richly rewarded and blessed by donating your talents, expertise and a bit of your time to help the poor, the sick and the disabled! For further information please contact: Dr. Manibhai Mehta (714) 898-3156 manilal.b. Mehta@kp.org Vijay Chheda (714) 573-1324 vijaychheda@hotmail.com Dr. Shanti Kenia (413) 562-7737 kenial@aol.com Dr. Dhiraj Shah (716) 773-1314 Dr. Jaya Shah (440) 442-4596 Dr. Chandra Haria (330) 225-2923
Jain digest a quarterly magazine of the Jain community of North America is a lifeline to Jains living in North America It reaches to every Jain in North America free of charge since 1985. It provides the news about activities of all 61 Jain Centers of North America and their members. It educates us in the field of religion by publishing religious articles. It provides us the news about the activities of our youth. It also brings together Jain Youth of marriage age by publishing a matrimonial column. It publishes news about Jains living in other parts of world and particularly in India. The most important task of Jain Digest is to provide identity to Jains. Each issue of JAIN DIGEST is a result of love for scores of volunteers. The editor in chier is assisted by regional edito associate editors, regular and guest columnist all living in different part of continent. They all work by fax, phones and E-mail to put together a snapshot of our community in timely fashion producing the most visible evidence of unity among Jains of North America. Without pining monetary value on time and efforts of the volunteers, it costs about $40,000 per year to publish four issues of Jain Digest and send to every family in North America and Jain Sanghs abroad free of charge. The JAINA has created endowment fund for this purpose. So far $75,000 has been collected in this fund from Jain families who have contributed by becoming a life member of Jain Digest. The principle of endowment fund is never used to support Jain Digest, only the interest income is taken out every year to support Jain Digest. At the moment it amounts to about $4000 per year. Advertisement brings about another $6000 per year leaving $30,000 deficit per year. JAINA is committed to continue quarterly publication of Jain Digest free of charge by raising funds from generous donors. We don't know how long these donors will continue to subsidize Jain Digest. Therefore it is essential for all of us to become a life member of Jain Digest, by contributing tax deductible donation of $151.00. It will assure all of us and our future generations to continue to receive Jain Digest and help us and our youth to maintain our Jain identity and to be proud Jain. Please fill out the Jain Digest Membership Form and mail it along with $151.00 check to Keerti Shah, at 842, Lakeside Drive, Bartlett, Illinois 601034718, Tel. 630-837-8716.
Keerti Shah Membership Director, Jain Digest
Jain Education Intemational
JAIN DIGEST. WINTER 2002/13