Jain Spirit 2002 03 No 10

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 18

NEWS IN BRIEF
Compiled by Prakash Mody
MAINTAIN PEACE AND HARMONY India: Acharya Vidyanandji appealed to all humanity to maintain peace, self-control, restraint and harmony as the major nations pass under a shadow of war and destruction He spoke about the message of ahimsa given by Lord Mahavir. Vidyanandji said that the present period, up to the year 2003, was very critical and in many countries great upheaval and bloodshed is likely to result. Many small countries will be completely destroyed or perish in this period. The need of the hour is therefore to respect human values and work towards the avoidance of any loss to humanity.
FASTING PROGRAM New York, USA: The Association of Indians in America, New York Chapter adopted a three-point program to pay homage to the victims of the September 11 attacks. The components are: to observe fast every Tuesday evening, to hold prayer meetings every Tuesday evening at a place of worship in the Tri-state area, wearing a special badge as a reminder of the tragedy; to cancel its 15th Diwali festival celebration. According to the Indian tradition, when there is a death in the family or neighborhood we do not celebrate the auspicious event. Our culture calls on us to get out and help all those who need it. "The program will continue until the culprits are brought to justice," said a spokesman for the Chapter
DEPRESSED
RATNAKAR BANK ECONOMIC SCENARIO BRANCH AT NEW DELHI New York, USA:
New Delhi, India: "It is a balancing act," said Kailash Joshi of New Delhi, India: The Ratnakar Bank was The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIA), which is the established 60 years ago and operated as a largest mentoring organisation for South regular bank by a group of Jains from Sangli Asian businesses in the United States. and Kolhapur in Maharastra. Over the years Kailash, the President of the Silicon Valley- it has grown rapidly and presently it has a based TiA was describing the likely strategy deposit of Rs.532 crores and a working fund that start-ups, as well as established of Rs.601 crores. What makes the Ratnakar businesses, would follow in the depressed Bank unique is that most of the trustees, economic scenario in the aftermath of the directors and account holders are Jain. At September 11 tragedy. Many companies the beginning of a day's work, the were reorganising their business strategies
employees gather to recite a Jain prayer and following the economic downturn that had
the Navkar Mantra. All the staff are required made people cautious about spending.
to be vegetarian and abstain from smoking, Indian American business leaders have
drinking and consuming tobacco, gutka or asked others to take a hard look at their
pan masala. The Bank provides extra help to model. "If it is solid and can achieve rapid
senior citizens and those who are poor in the profitability by solving 'real' customer
community by offering higher interest rates problems, then this is the time to invest and
for their deposits. It has 70 branches spread grow," say the gurus, "otherwise, look for a
in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. This job and save your money." Some firms, like
year, it paid out a dividend of 17%. It Naveen Jain's InfoSpace, find themselves in
recently opened its first branch in the the right place at the right time, though Jain
northern part of the country at Karolbagh in said that he didn't relish the prospect of
New Delhi and also in London. making such a statement in the midst of a tragedy.
FREQUENT ROBBERIES "JUST DON'T DO IT!"
AT SHIKHARJI India:
Bihar, India: The Indian leather industry has been dealt
Robbery and theft are frequent occurances at another blow as the two biggest shoe Sammet Shikharji in Madhuban, Bihar. On companies in the world, Nike and Reebok, 3 September, ten armed people entered the have joined a growing list of companies Shri Parshwanath temple by force from its boycotting Indian leather. Along with Peru- hill top entrance, whilst the overnight based Foresta International and top fashion Navkar Mantra jaap was in progress. They designer Kenneth Cole, they have pledged to broke open the cash box belonging to the the People for the Ethical Treatment of Digambara sect, which was kept in the Animals (PETA) that they will not purchase temple hall, and took about Rs. 50,000. The leather from India. As reported in our last robbers also took another cash box issue, these companies join others such as belonging to the Shvetambara sect. The Gap, Eddie Bauer, Timberland, Casual matter was reported to the local police the Corner, Florsheim, J. Crew, Liz Claiborne. next morning but nothing has been Nordstrom, Wolverine Worldwide, Clarks, recovered so far. Fiorucci, Travel 2000, Marks and Spencer Similar incidents are also taking place and others in asking the Indian government elsewhere. In December, statues were stolen to enforce basic animal protection laws. from the temple of Shri Sheetalnathji, also at
Madhuban village. On 22 August, the robbers stole the cash box from the worship altar of a temple in Kalyan Niketan. On 28 August, robbers entered the 24 Tunk Bahubaliji temple and stole the cash box. Unfortunately, despite the frequency of these events, local authorities have not shown any serious interest in finding the
thieves or preventing future incidents. March - May 2002. Jain Spirit
17
GLOBAL PEACE RECITAL Toronto, Canada: A rational and soul elevating presentation of gayatri was performed in Toronto Canada late last year. The Bharatnatyam dance recital started with the Om Shanti, Shanti chant, a message of global peace in the world, and the lead dancer and choreographer Janak Khendry chanted in a choked voice. Amongst the audience of over a hundred people were Jains, Hindus, Christians and Jews. Khendry has researched and skilfully choreographed sensitive themes based on the Jain philosophy of non-violence Buddhism and few other subjects.
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