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Jain centers to show case their progress or tell their unique achievements to the world. We are also working with the other national media in other countries to repeat the same content for the wide spread message of JAINA.
I am also happy to report that, for the first time ever, JAINA is taking pilgrimage to south India to participate in Mahamastka Abhishek of Bahubaliji in Sharvan Belgola. We expect this to be a well-attended yatra under the leadership of Mr. Dilip Shah, the first Vice President and Chairman of the Pilgrimage Committee.
On our website, you will notice that we now have over 40 committees. To make these committees more productive JAINA President and EC should have an ongoing dialogue on a regular basis. Mr. Bipin Shah, Mrs. Ila Mehta and Mr. Yogendra Jain came up with the idea of grouping these committees in six functional groups. All six regional vice presidents have been assigned this functional group of committee for them to liaison with. Committees have given us their short and long term goals of what they like to accomplish. All of this information has been put up on the web for everyone to see. With this information in the public domain, I am hoping to see more JAINA directors getting actively involved with each committee.
I am proud to announce that Executive Committee has appointed seven new directors at large for 2005-2007. They are: Mrs. Pramodaben Chitrabhanu; Dr. Dilip Bobra, Tempe, AZ; Dr. Parveen Jain, Milpitas, CA; Mr. Arvin Shah, Detroit, MI; Mr. Kamlesh Shah, Orlando, FL; Mr. Shan Jain, Canada, and Mr. Keerti Shah, Chicago, IL.
With best wishes,
International Interfaith conference
with presence of President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Kirit C Daftary President, JAINA
"The Inner Voice of Peace" - an International Interfaith conference was organized by Bramha Kumaris at New Delhi and Mount Abu during October 10 -16. Forty-nine participants from four continents and sixteen countries attended the conference. Arvind Vora, Chair person of JAINA Interfaith Committee was the Jain delegate invited to the conference.
On the first day of the Conference Dr. L. M. Singhavi, the invited guest speaker spoke eloquently emphasizing the need for a dialogue between different faiths. As a part of the conference a ninety minute meeting was organized at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Arvind Vora was the first speaker and he spoke of the core values of Jainism - Non violence in thoughts, action and deeds. The President in his speech spoke of the steps necessary to promote Peace and non violence. Paying homage to his mentor Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Kalam accentuated the need for better understanding between science and spirituality. He narrated a story of how Dr. Sarabhai acquired 300 acres of land in Thumba, Kerala through the Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram. Rev Father Peter Bernard Pereira had invited Dr. Sarabhai to a Sunday mass, where the priest told the congregation that both science and spirituality seek truth that prospers human life. The President said thanks to Dr. Sarabhai's presentation and priest's cooperation, scientific progress was made in spite of the indifferent attitude of the bureaucracy.
The next three days of the conference was held at Mt. Abu. The delegates had the chance to visit the famous Delwara Temples. The conference was concluded by a Jain prayer recited by Arvind Vora.
JAIN DIGEST. Spring 2005/3 Jain Education International 2010_03
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