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in terms of good Jain books and multi-media material.
However, we are today very fortunate. Jains form one of the world's best educated communities, one of its most resourceful and wealthy, with high ethical standards and a strong sense of charity and selflessness. There are Jain leaders in every field: from marketing, where Professor Dipak Jain is Dean of Kellogg Business School, to information technology. with leaders like Prem Jain of Cisco or scientists like the late Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who inspired and trained the current President of India H.E. Dr. Abdul Kalam. Our monks and nuns are the pillars of the tradition and to this day observe the strictest thousands-of-year old vows, without compromise. There is much to draw upon and learn from, and Jain Spirit continually strives to bring the best of it to you, the reader.
None of Jain Spirit's success could have been achieved without a full-time professional infrastructure. The Jain Spirit office in Colchester is the first media office for Jainism outside India. As a result, we have convinced the BBC to put Jainism on its website and regularly help them with their Jain programming and research. We actively connect individuals and groups with similar goals, and as we all know, progress is built on good relationships. Our network is growing every single day. As a very recent example, Jain students at Oxford University requested our help in setting up a society there. We emailed our supporter, Professor Richard Gombrich, who within 30 minutes responded with a clear "Yes". Dr. Parveen Jain flew from Silicon Valley to talk about Jain Business Ethics in London. There are many such examples, and these are growing all the time.
We would like each and every reader to think and act in helping us turn the stream into a flood. Our topmost priority is finance and subscriptions. We urge you to donate generously. to send us your advertisements or to encourage as many people as you know to subscribe to this magazine. Give out gift subscriptions, which are such a low-cost and effective way of spreading the message and encouraging others to understand you better. Young people, for whom this magazine is a key foundation to their future, should exercise their votes on their parents not only to subscribe but to donate generously to this charity and become its partners. We would like you to create a chain reaction and take pride in spreading this to your friends and relatives - we are happy to give suggestions on what to say and how to deal with doubts. This practical advice is on our website where you can easily read and download it at any time. Be proactive and become a catalyst.
As Nishad Gudka, President of Young Jains UK, recently said, "The train is moving. It is your choice to stay on the platform or to jump onto the train. If you get onto the train, you will be able to travel to new pastures, learn new things, enhance your self-esteem and identity and take pride in this huge cultural renaissance." Lord Mahavir said, 'Waste not a single moment of existence', so we would encourage you to grow with Jain Spirit and invest in what is the most enduring investment of all - culture. 2
PHOTO: JAMES MATURIN-BAIRD
December 2003 - February 2004
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