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REGIONAL NEWS....
warmly received and led into the inner sanc- able presentation on Mediterranean cook- sons, inclusive of some young children, tum. After brief puja, we were entertained ing. Everyone enjoyed the evening. observed Attham. Dashlaxanä Parva was with a warm meal. The evening Bhavna Mira Kamdar, the author of "Motiba's celebrated under the guidance of began after the meal and lasted until 10.30 Tatoo: A Granddaughter's Journey into her Abhaykumar Jain. pm. The bus then took us to our motel were Indian Family's Past", came to Toronto and Rajendra Kamdar of Rajkot gave diswe retired for the night.
impressed around 75-Gujarati language lov- courses on the Jain fundamentals on SepNext morning after a heavy Indian ers at the informal discussion, comparing tember 27, 28 and 29. breakfast, we headed for Cincinati. We were her Motiba's (grandmother's) early, twenti- Mahavir Senior Center organized a pilmet by local members of Jain Sangh. We eth century life, with the end of the cen- grimage to St. Louis on September 28. 50 sentation of Nem-Rajul story, followed by tury.
people participated in that pilgrimage. Gandhiji, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther Mira selected three interesting portions Arrangements for Äyambil were made King, Rosa Park and Nelson Mandela. from her book and read them. The first part at the Center on October 13, 20 and 21.
We then headed for Columbus and was the description of how the book was More than 300 people in all took advanstayed the night at a nearby motel that be written. Then she explained in detail her tage thereof. longed to Rashmibhai and Rekhaben, pre- visit to Kuldevi, her own clan goddess, men- Ätmasiddhi anniversary and viously of Toronto. We took part in an hour tioning the social customs and traditions Laghuraiswami's birth day were organized Bhavna that included some Stavans com- of weddings then and now. She also spoke on October 20. More than 100 people enposed by Rashmibhai himself.
briefly about her forthcoming novel. The thusiastically participated therein. Our last stop was in Cleveland. We question answer session was very interest
A musical evening was organized on were met by another Toronto family of ing with all types of questions from the
November 1, when music was played by Pravinbhai and Pritiben Mehta. We had audience and equally satisfying responses
Rupal and Piyush Shah of Khelaiya group puja, dinner and stavan singing. from Mira.
of Mumbai. About 700 persons enjoyed the Aymbel Oli: A group Aymbel after
musical program. Snatra Puja was organized at the Jain Cen
On the occasion of Deepävali, a group tre and about 30 members took part. MIDWEST
Ashtaprakäri Poojän was organized on NoCongratulations to Mrs. Arti Pulin Manubhai Doshi, Regional Editor
vember 3, when the meaning of each stanza Chandaria who has been recognized for her
was explained to about 50 participants in yeoman service within the South Asian Ini
English as well as in Gujarati. Thereafter tiative at the Royal Ontario Museum by the
Siddhachakra Poojan was performed in the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Arti will CHICAGO, IL
afternoon. receive The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal
Paryushan Parva was celebrated under
On the occasion of Lord Mahavir's (the special award to commemorate the the guidance of Yogeshbhai, was invited
Nirvän day, Nirvän Ladu was offered in the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to give discourses. Samanis Pratibhaprajna
early morning on November 4. to the throne as Queen of Canada).
and Jagatprajna gave discourses in English. One of our members, Dr. Vastupal Dr. Shantibhai Patel also gave discourses on
The Snätra Pooja was organized on that occasion. Evening Bhävanäs were per
November 5 on the occasion of the new Parikh, has published a very modern treatise on Jainism that many North American formed by Lalitbhai Dhami, who came
year's day. Jains will enjoy reading.
from India along with Yogeshbhai. The Mahavir Mahila Mandal celebrated its
Swapna Darshan ceremony was organized 12th anniversary on November 10 in the Ladies Meeting: The first meeting of
in the presence of about 2000 people. The presence of about 500 people. On that ocJain Society's women members took palce
society collected about $ 100,000 in casion they felicitated Chandrakantabahen, at the home of Rupal and Subhas Mehta
gheeboli. Samvatsari Pratikraman was con- the founder of the Mandal. Thereafter it and was organized by Sonal Patel, women's
ducted in English and Gujarati. More than presented a variety program, inclusive of representative on Executive Committee.
1500 people took advantage thereof. Many Garabä, Lord Mahavir's initiation etc. Dr. There were over 70 attendees and they
people observed austerities on that occasion. Megha Doshi, who was the chief guest, gave took part on a talk on how to improve on
One person observed Varshi Tap, one ob- an inspiring talk on that occasion our diet, a make-up session and an enjoy
served 15 days' fast and about 50 persons Shrimad Rajchandra's 134th birth day observed Arthäi. Moreover, about 100 per- was celebrated on November 17.
Jain E24 7 JAIN DIGEST WINTER 2002
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