Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

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A Gem in Our Midst
On July 4, 1999, Pravinbhai K. Shah of our Jain Study Center of North Carolina was awarded the JAINA Ratna Award. The Ratna award is the highest honor awarded by JAINA to a shravak or shravika. Whether we know him as "Pravinbhai", "Pravin Uncle" or "Guruji", we in our Center have long been keenly aware of his dedication to Jainism. We've felt fortunate and grateful for his contributions to our community. So it is with great pride, as his community, that we see Pravinbhai's long standing efforts recognized by JAINA!
Recognizing leadership is important. It serves to perpetuate the qualities we admire in a given. leader. These qualities were clearly and admiringly expressed in over thirty letters written in support of Pravinbhai's nomination. In addition to listing his many, many contributions and projects (listed below), colleagues and students described his qualities: openness, integrity, respect, creativity, service above self. "He works hard and is always willing to help". "He talked about reverence for life and he demonstrated it, with his kindness and considerations with his gentle sense of humor". These themes are repeated every where in writing by young and old, Jains and non-Jains.
For us, at his home Center, these words ring true to our personal experience. But we know something else about Pravinbhai: not only does he exemplify leadership, he cultivates it in others. Each of us can think of a time when he took a personal interest in us, when he took time out for a young person interested in Jainism, when he encouraged a member of our group to discover their own vision and leadership abilities.
We all feel we know Pravinbhai so well. And we may think we know his accomplishments in the arena of Jainism. However, these accomplishments are so many and so varied, that it is easy to lose track! So, take a moment to read the press release below (the award was reported in numerous newspapers). It is certain to hold a few surprises or memories of how Pravinbhai has touched so many lives here in North Carolina, and beyond.
Congratulations, Pravinbhai, for this most deserved recognition and thanks for all you've done!
At this time, we are particularly grateful to Madhukerbhai Mehta for his initiative, perseverance and hard work in contacting numerous people all over the world. He encouraged them to write over thirty letters of overwhelming support and created a package for the JAINA Ratna Award Committee that reflected Pravinbhai's accomplishments and our admiration for him.
Following is a summary of key contributions:
Association with Organizations:
Founding member and past President of the Jain Study Center of North Carolina (Raleigh)' established in 1979.
Director of Federation of JAINA.
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