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For program information please visit our web site at www.mangalamshow.com
To produce a quality program on a weekly basis is a tremendous task in itself. We need all the help we can get.
I personally request all JAINS to support this venture to ensure the future of Jain religion and Jain Youth in this part of the world. Please send your tax deductible donations/ contributions to Media Production Committee/ JAINA Tax exemption code #EL#54-1280028
12 Split Rock Drive, Great Neck, NY 11024
"BE PROUD OF IT, BE A PART OF IT" "WATCH MANGALAM"
Activities of the Virchand Raghavji Gandhi Committee:
During 2008, several activities were carried out to fulfill the objectives. Following is the brief report of these activities.
Memorial-cum-Museum:
First most important initiative is about "bringing awareness of our glorious heritage". North America's JAINA & India's WJC are working for raising funds for a permanent Memorial-cum-Museum by converting the ancestral home of Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi (VRG) at Mahuva in Gujarat, India, for which architectural plans and drawings are almost ready. We are trying to help the surviving members of the VRG family and rehabilitate them with suitable dignity. Efforts are going on but this needs to be rejuvenated. This memorial will house, in addition to VRG's all available historical materials - memorable plus Museum of Jainism, Lecture Hall, Pathshala (Religious School), Library and other related activities. The total current requirement for this project is estimated at US$55,000 (Rs.25,00,000) which includes cost of modernization and a reserve fund to be kept aside to generate interest income towards the regular maintenance and other expenses.
For raising funds, the Committee has planned to appeal for funds. The names of donors who donate US $500 and more or its equivalent in Rs. will be written up on the wall-board that will be kept on the VRG Memorial permanently. Currently we have planned
Jain Digest Winter 2009 Jain Education International
three categories of donation which may be modified to suite the actual funds requirements:
(1) Grand Donor US$ 5,000 (or equivalent) and above;
(2) Patron Donor US$ 1,000 (or equivalent) and above and
(3) Donor US$ 500 (or equivalent).
Scholarships:
Scholarship was established by JAINA to honour VRG that is awarded annually, especially in India and North America. Since the inception in 2001, the death centenary year of VRG and Bhagwan Mahavir's 2600th birth year, scholarships are awarded to forty-one students, more than half of them being of other than Jain faith, for their advance research, Ph.D. studies in Jainism at Universities & Institutions through-out India. Complete details and application form can be downloaded from the JAINA's and VRG websites mentioned at the bottom. More than fifty donors have donated since the inception in 1997, which are appreciated and letters detailing the progress as to how their donations are utilized were written to them last year.
Commemorative Stamp:
Stamp to perpetuate the memory of VRG is another area of our continued efforts. It is heartening to know that the Dept. of Post, Government of India will issue a special commemorative stamp with First Day Cover, Brochure and Cancellation in August 2009. These exclusive philatelic items will be released at a mega event in a special album in the presences of the elite dignitaries and national leaders at New Delhi or Mumbai, India. We are inviting for advance prepaid orders for these philatelic collectibles very soon. More information will be provided later as it becomes available.
Essay Competition:
An Essay Competition is announced for North American high school and college students to create an awareness to revive the mission of VRG, who represented Jain Religion at the 1893 Parliament of World Religions held at Chicago, USA. The subject is: "Life & Contribution of Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi to the Society". Last date of receipt is March 31, 2009. Results will be declared at the JAINA Convention at Los Angeles, USA in July 2009 and at the release of VRG's commemorative postage stamp in August 2009
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