Jain Digest 2015 06

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

Page 44

JAIN DIGEST
Samaj also collected funds for various other charity work. Funds were sent to India for an ambulance, look after the sick and unwanted animals, support medical camps and other activities for needy people in India. In 1984 Jain Samaj decided to have a building of its own with a view to have a Mandir and Upashraya. In 1994 they acquired the place of their own and started renovating that
Present building contains Mandir, Upashraya, kitchen, hall; dining hall .Main hall has a capacity for 400 people. There are 160 families who are members of the Jain Samaj, Manchester.
Under the Jain Samaj other groups are active and using the Jain samaj facilities. The groups are Mahila Mandal, youth wing, volleyball Club, Bridge club etc. Pathashala are run by Guruji Rakesh Zaveri and their syllabus has been used to teach the children. Shrimad Rajchandra's Mission Dharampur and Shri Raj- Saubhag Satsang Mandals are two organisations which are established by the followers of Shrimad Rajchandra's. Both are quite active and do various religious, charitable and cultural activities.
Jain Samaj Europe, UK History
It all began with a few devotees who used to meet for Paryushan in a small house from 1969 onwards... In 1973, with the increased Jain population in Leicester, a constituted body named Jain Samaj Leicester was established. During his tenure between 1973 and 1977, its first chairman Mr. Manohar Mehta and the executive committee laid foundations for Jain Samaj, increased membership and activities. Dr. Natubhai Shah, a visionary, succeeded Manharbhai. During his tenure from 1977 to 1989, he put Leicester on the Jain map of the world by the following achievements:
Jain Samaj Leicester was registered as a charity in 1978. 1979 - A spacious church building was purchased in Oxford Street, situated in the heart of Leicester, and renamed The Jain Centre. Dr. Shah helped to build a rapport with the local community in Leicester, local and national interfaith organisations, Jains in the UK, Antwerp, India and other parts of the world.
44 I MAY-JUN 2015