Jain Spirit 2003 06 No 15

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

Page 16

GLOBAL NEWS
INSIDE JAIN SPIRIT JAIN SPIRIT PHOTO COMPETITION 2003
A big thank you to everyone who entered this competition. The panel decided that our winner in the adult category is Derek Mepham's sole figure in a dawn landscape, which features as our Inside Cover. This is a lovely image with a real feeling of peacefulness, bringing to mind Lord Mahavir's solo quest for liberation in the forests of northern India. Congratulations also go to Jayni Gudka, whose 'Elephants are Kind' was chosen as the winner of the junior category (pictured left). In fact, it was a great effort by the entire Gudka family: sister Aimee also entered and we have used father Jayesh's photo of an anti-war demo to illustrate this issue's philosophy article. A special mention for Nishma Shah, the one person who submitted a black and white photograph, more of this please in the next competition. Two digital cameras for the winners have been kindly donated by Jagdeep Shah of Fotoview, UK.
AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH... As we go to press, eighty participants are getting ready for the Three Peaks Challenge in June to raise money for Jain Spirit and two other UK-based charities: one for animals and the other for Cancer Relief. The task is to climb three small mountains within a total span of twelve hours. This adventure will help the advancement of the bold and innovative Jain Spirit magazine and its efforts to champion the global awareness of Jainism.
EDITORS TOUR INDIA
of India and Mr. Kirit and Mrs. Neena Mehta, owners of the Aastha TV Channel
Our new Photo Editor, James Maturin-Baird, also visited India with the aim of building a collection of Jain photographs and seeing our photo library in Mumbai, Dinodia.
Patna, Sammet Shikhar, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Shravana Belgola and Chennai were the destinations for Jain Spirit Editor, Dr. Atul K. Shah, during his annual editorial tour of India in February. Jains everywhere were very hospitable and complimentary of the magazine. Mr. Pradip Jain, our representative in Patna, organised the tour of Bihar and Sammet Shikhar, while in Delhi Mr. Rajendra P. Jain, our India consultant hosted his trip, introducing him to writers, artists, printers, distributors and Jain leaders. In Mumbai, Atul met prominent Jains and gave a lecture at Mumbai University to students of Jainism, many of whom became subscribers at the end of the lecture. Atul was ably assisted at Mumbai University by our writer and associate, Dhara Kothari. Also in Mumbai, he met Mrs. Indu Jain, Chairman, Times
Shri Chitrabhanuji encouraged Atul to travel to southern India, where there is a high English readership. In Bangalore, he met Mr. Chen Raj Jain and Darshan Mutha of the Jain Group, who are active in promoting the teaching of Jain values in colleges and schools. In Chennai, he stayed with the Surana family, owners of Surana & Surana, the largest law firm in southern India. He gave a lecture at the Shantivijay Jain College for Women and visited Karuna Clubs in the area with Dr. Duli Chand Jain, the founder of this movement for compassionate education. As India has the largest population of Jains in the world, there is a sizeable market for Jain Spirit there. However, effort needs to be given to its marketing and promotion in different parts of India. This can only be done by local representatives who make it their mission to promote the magazine. Various people have agreed to help with the promotion of Jain Spirit in their local cities.
Atul K. Shah meets Mrs. Indu Jain,
Chair of The Times of India
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Jain Spirit • June - August 2003
Photo : JAMES MATURIN-BAIRD