________________
Board Reem...
From the
Jai Jinendra:
Hope your family had nice Paryushan/Das Laxana and Diwali celebration and is getting ready for the year 2008. During the last three months. I had the opportunity to visit several Jain Centers.
In Raleigh, President Jagdish Shah arranged a JAINA town hall type meeting during their 3 day Shibir with Pandit Dhirajbhai on a beautiful campground wherein more than 40 members engaged in question and answer session one evening that was both educative and enjoyable. Several members signed up to become JAINA Patron during that visit. I also visited Charlotte, NC. I met with members and office bearers of the Jain Study Group and was given tour of the newly bought site for their upcoming Jain Temple.
At Jain Center of America (New York), Presidenrt Jaymik Shah and Chairman of the Trustees Jawahar Shetti hosted a two day JAINA EC and Director's meeting in October. It was like a long awaited homecoming for JAINA - (New York was the center where in 1983 JAINA Constitution was ratified). Many long time JAINA friends and new faces made the meeting lively and JCA proved to be a very gracious host. Also in October, I participated in Jain Center of Greater Phoenix during their Shilanyas ceremony. Panch Kalynak Mahotsay and Satra Pooja preceding the Shilanyas Ceremony was observed by more than 400 devotees. Detailed report is included in the inside pages.
Myself, First Vice President Lataben and South West Vice President Udaibhai Jain visited Jain Center of Southern California ((Los Angeles), venue for the 2009 JAINA convention. We toured the construction site of their new magnificent Temple, Pratistha Mahotsav for their new Temple is planned for the summer of 08. We also visited three possible convention sites and will make final decision on the exact dates and site in coming weeks in consultations with President Ashok Savla, Dr. Manibhai Mehta and Dr. Nitin Shah of the LA Jain Center.
Lastly, I attended "United We Sing" a thanksgiving program organized Monmouth Center of World Religions and Ethical Thought (MCWRET)- an interfaith organization wherein International Jain Sangh has been active. The marble statue of Lord Mahavir on display at 2007 JAINA Convention was donated to MCWRET and that day they formally accepted the gift and thanked JAINA.
In each of these instances, I was pleased to meet members of various Jain centers their office bearers and JAINA directors, exchange views, answer questions and learn from them what they expect of JAINA in the future. More I hear from members, more I am convinced JAINA needs to transform
Jain Education International
itself into a service organization. To that end, here are some of the steps we have taken:
Jain Digest Winter 2007
1)
Sought out help from past Presidents of JAINA. I am happy to report that four of the past Presidents have agreed to take major responsibilities. Dr. Sulekh Jain will chair the JAINA Academic Liaison Committee; Dr.Manoj Dharamsi will head the Media and Public Relations Committee: Dr. Dhiraj Shah will resume Chairmanship of World Community Service and Mr. Anop Vora will serve on Interfaith Committee as co-chair. I must note that couple of other past Presidents - Dr Tansukh Salgia is serving as Chairman of Government and Intl. organizations relations Committee and Dr. Manibhai Mehta is serving as chair of Constitution Committee. A Presidential advisory committee of all the Past Presidents is being formed to take advantage of their vision and wisdom.
2)
JAINA has formed Campus Outreach Committee that will form liaison between Jain students on various campuses and nearby Jain Centers. It is estimated that this program has the potential of extending JAINA umbrella to more than 4,000 Jain students on various campuses. Mr. Ashok Domadia, who was chairman of the registration committee during 2007 JAINA Convention, will head this committee. In my opinion, this new initiative will prove to be the most important step taken by JAINA to serve the Jain community of North America.
3) Early in 2008, JAINA will organize JAIN MILAN in Houston in cooperation with Jain Society of Houston
4) Veerayatan USA is planning a 500+ acre VEERAYTAN SARVODAYA Project - a Retirement & Vacation Resort Project in southeast Tennessee near Knoxville. It is a much awaited project to serve our growing senior population and JAINA will keep you informed as the project gets underway. For more information, Please visit www.veerayatan.net
As JAINA moves forward with transforming itself into a service organization for all the Jains of North America, let us remember that community support is the life line for a non profit organization. If you have suggestions as to how JAINA can serve the Jain community better please write to me at dilipushah@ gmail.com and If you believe JAINA is serving cause of Jainism in North America, please consider supporting it by volunteering or becoming a JAINA PATRON. Shri Udai Jain, south west Vice President of JAINA is working diligently to sign up many Patrons before the end of the year. Details of the PATRON Program appears in the inside pages.
With best wishes,
Dilip V. Shah President, JAINA
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