Jain Digest 2011 04

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

Page 3

JAIN DIGEST .. May 2011
From the President
Jai Jinendra! My term as the President of JAINA is coming to an end and, I would like to look back at the entire term with a sense of pride and satisfaction. The honor and respect I received while carrying out my responsibilities has been a humbling experience. Today, JAINA is a very well known and well-respected organization not only in North America but also around the globe. My visit to over 25 centers took me all over the continent. I travelled over 100,000 miles in the last two years. My meetings with many Jains gave me a better insight of our community. During my visits, I was pleased to meet members of various Jain Centre office bearers. JAINA Directors, exchange views, and participated in a question-answer session about their expectations from JAINA. Their faith in JAINA has touched my heart. My trips to India were very fruitful as I represented JAINA at the Palitana handicap camp and the Bidada Medical Camp. As a JAINA representative, I also
participated in the opening of the JIWO chapters, and the inauguration of Arhat touch. I had the opportunity to meet the Chief Minister of Gujarat - Narendra Modi, His Holiness Dalai Lama, Pujya Maharaj Naypadmasagarji. Acharya Chandnaji. Gurudev Rakeshbhai Zaveri and many other learned and dynamic individuals. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. The accomplishments and activities, which made my Presidency so rewarding, are summarized below: Victorious Ones: Jain Images of Perfection Art Exhibit (Rubin Museum of Art, NY) - I represented JAINA at the unveiling of the exhibition, which had over 65 displays of Jain art, including some, which have never been publicly displayed. The Exhibit was sponsored by a lead gift from Shital and Suman Jain Family and coordinated by Phyllis Granoff - Professor of Religious Studies at the Yale Graduate School. V.R. Gandhi stamp: Indian Postal Department recognized the renowned Jain Scholar and writer Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi by releasing a multicolored stamp, first day cover and a brochure in his honor in November 2009 at Sanmukhanand hall, Mumbai. This became a reality with the tireless efforts of Pravin C Shah of New York. Arhat Touch Inauguration: I had the pleasure of inaugurating Shrimad Rajchandra Arhat Touch program (SRA) in Toronto under the blessings of Gurudev Shri Rakeshbhai Zaveri. This event attracted a large participation from the community. Inauguration of JIWO chapter: I attended the inauguration of JIWO (Jain International Women's Organization) chapter of Juhu, Mumbai on behalf of JAINA. Kanji Swami Janma jayanti in Los Angeles: Annual Jain-Swadhyay Seminar for four days was held at Los Angeles Jain Center in May 2010. This was the 121st Janma Jayanti of Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami. I had the honor of inaugurating the seminar. These seminars are being organized for more than ten years now at different places in North America. About 300 mumukshus from North America, Europe and India participated in this Jayanti. Tribute to Acharya Mahapragya: Jain Vishwa Bharati, New Jersey, under the guidance of Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Shukla Pragya, organized a memorable event "Path of Ahimsa- A tribute
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