Jain Spirit 2005 09 No23

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

Page 14

NEWS
PHOTO BY Jagdeep shah www.fotoview.com
CREATIVE FUSION FOR CHARITY
Then Kaushik Khajuria's CD 'A voyage of peace and joy' was sent out with issue
21 of Jain Spirit, it created a global 'storm'. Would you believe it, young people even set their alarms to the first track 'The way to lasting peace'. A popular radio station in Nairobi broadcast it, thanks to one of our friendly readers. So when a live charity concert was planned and promoted in London, tickets sold out in no time! The event itself was a real blast, with an even wider range of songs and musicians, and three very young singers - Gauri, Sheelan and Sheena, who took the audience by storm. Lead singers Kaushik and Anuradha, accompanied by Kiran Thakarar on keyboard produced a wide range of beautiful melodies, and on percussion
and Sandeep Rawal was in his element. Indian food served during the refreshment break has become the talk of the town, especially the homemade Rasmalai! Young Satchi Malde, the Master of Ceremonies, explained the tracks very lucidly, making connections to Jain values, and dedicated songs to visionary organisations like Young Jains, Shishikunj and Sansaar. Chairman of Jain Spirit, Mr. Manick Choraria explained the creative nature of Jain Spirit and the need for the whole community to support such a unique and forward looking venture for our children and youth. Kid Spirit was launched here and so were the Lotus and Saffron sponsorship schemes where donors give £500 or £1000 a year to help Jain Spirit 'Share Jain Values Globally.
Sheena singing live
CALIFORNIA'S DREAMING: JAIN CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ain Center of Southern California inaugurated a new cultural complex on Sunday, 27 March, 2005
and accomplished a major milestone in its efforts to build a fine Jain Tirth in North America. The 60,000 sq ft facility located in the City of Buena Park, a suburb of Los Angeles, was completed at a cost of $11 million. The enthusiasm and dedication of the local Jain community for this project are admirable. Three families - Manibhai and Savitaben Mehta, Harshadbhai and Rakshaben Shah and an anonymous family - have each donated over $751,000 for this project. On the day of the inauguration, a pledge of $1 million interest-free loan from Jayeshbhai and Ramilaben Shah was immediately matched with an additional $1,400,000 from members in the audience. Nearly
1,400 participants - Jain community Jain Education International
members, leaders of various Indian organisations and city officials - attended the inauguration ceremonies which began with the symbolic "Kumbh Sthapan" and the lighting of the lamps by Buena Park Mayor Pro Tem Art Brown and Jain dignitaries. Graceful features of a traditional Jain temple with superbly carved stones are reflected in the architecture of the entire complex. The interior of the new complex will be decorated with paintings, murals, tapestries, sculptures, and other media to depict the Jain religion, culture, and Jain way of life. A 100-year old, 35-feet high wooden temple will be installed in the main entryway. The new complex
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is Phase I of a three-phase master plan to accommodate a phenomenal growth in membership and an increase in the number of religious, educational, cultural, and community Outreach activities. Phase II, the construction of a religious complex with the Derasar and an Aradhana Hall is scheduled to begin in July 2005. An Atma Sadhana Kendra with Study/Pathshala rooms and the JAINA/JCSC National Library will be constructed in Phase III. Jain Center of Southern California is one of four organisations that founded Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) in Los Angeles 25 years ago.. CHANDRAKANT PAREKH
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