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UNITED KINGDOM
FOOD FOR LIFE CYCLE MARATHON
YOUNG JAINS OF THE UK
In October 1998, the Young Jains of Nairobi organised a food for Life Cycle marathon where some seventy cyclists cycled for three days from Mt. Kenya all the way to Nairobi. Among the participants were many children. The significant amount of money raised will feed over 9000 people every month for life, a project co-ordinated by the Hare Krishna centre in Nairobi. The Young Jains have also adopted a
Dr. L.M. Singhvi, the former Indian ambassador to the UK and one of the most prominent Jains in the world today once remarked that the work of the Young Jains of the UK is exemplary in bringing young people together and making Jainism relevant to modern concerns. This dynamic youth organisation recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and is growing from strength to strength. It has been instrumental in the founding of a number of major projects in the UK and Kenya including the Chandana Vidya Peeth School in London and Nairobi, the Young Jains of Kenya, and more recently, the launch of this international magazine Jain Spirit. Dr. Singhvi also remarked that the formula of the London Young Jains should be spread out throughout the world as there is an urgent need to make Jainism and its ancient wisdom appealing to young people. Why not visit its website today: www.youngjains.org.co.uk
JAIN LEADERS
RIMARY
SCHOOL
Over two hundred JAIN LEADERS and community workers from all over the UK gathered to celebrate Mahavir Jyanti at the offices of H.E. Lalit Mansingh, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK on Saturday 10th April. The High Commissioner remarked on the great wisdom of Lord Mahavir and his tremendous influence on the entire history of India. He appreciated the contribution of the Jains to the growth of India and recognised the unity and solidarity of the UK lain community. Other speakers included Sadhvi Shilapi and Mr. Mahesh Shah and the event was co-ordinated by the Institute of Jainology. Children from the community gave a small variety performance and everyone appreciated the event.
SCHOOL MISSIONS DEVELOPING PUPILS TALENTS BY PROVIDING BEST LEARNING ENVI. RONMENT TO ENABLE THEM SUCCEED IN NATIONAL EXAMS AND IN
LIFE
MEGHRAJ ART GALLERY
school near Thika called Gatunyu Primary School which regularly receives financial and material support - the African children who study there have learnt to recite the Navkar Mantra and even other Jain prayers. The school was totally run down when the Young Jains decided to support it, and its success has lifted the morale of the whole village.
The Meghraj Art Gallery located in central London continues to provide a unique platform for artists from all over the world. Mr. Raju Shah, its Director, explained: "We thought there is scope for such a gallery in London, as there is no other gallery catering for such artists: Indian artists and British artists doing Indian subjects. We have a lot of western galleries and they do not give a platform for Indian
painting students. We had the space and we thought why not give it to the artists as a noncommercial gallery." Located at the Headquarters of Meghraj Bank in WC1, they have had two major exhibitions recently - one by Mrs. Jayshree Khimasia and the other by Kamal Shah, both of whom are Jain. The Bank is owned by the philanthropic Meghji Pethraj Shah family originating from Jamnagar, India. The gallery is a unique example of how some Jain businesses actively participate in encouraging community and cultural activities. Explained Mr. Raju Shah "When we opened the gallery, people came that had never been to a gallery before. They did not
Print by: Kamal Shah
July-September 1999. Jain Spirit 5
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