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including the first get-together for Matrimonia Alliances. Dr. Manoj Dharamsi of Washington D.C. was the recipient of the Jaina Ratna Award, and Dr. Manibhai Mehta was elected as president.
The 1997 Convention was again held in Toronto. It was at this time that the first Ahimsa Award was established in the memory of Acarya Sushil Kumarji, and was awarded to Dr. Bruce Costain (Bal Bhadraji). Dr. Dhiraj Shah of Buffalo was elected president, and Dr. Tansukh Salgia of Columbus was recipient of the Jain Ratna Award. The convention attracted over 7,000 attendees.
That brings us to the 1999 Convention being held in Philadelphia -- the birthplace of American liberty. Over 10, 000 people are expected to attend this four-day event. One highlight of the Convention will be the holding of a Siddha Chakra Puja by the specially invited team of vidhikarak and singers from India. There will be three keynote speakers at this Convention, and a host of scholars from India. A beautiful caturmukha temple of pink-coloured rock weighing nearly 5,000 lbs. will be displayed. This is going to be a spectacular presentation, and should be an inspiration for many of the small Jain communites within North America to build their own temples.
The JAINA Conventions held every two years in different cities are the most visible activity of JAINA. It brings together families, sadhus, sadhvis, scholars and our youngsters under one roof for a few days of festivities celebrating Jaina heritage. These conventions are attracting visitors and scholars not just from India, but also from the U.K., Kenya, Singapore and Australia. Many other Jain organizations also have their get-togethers at this time, and old acquaintances are renewed as well as new friendships being made. With such activities as the Marriage Information Service, these conventions have also become both family strengthening with a focus on Jain life. I for one cannot imagine life in this adopted land without JAINA or JAINA without its Convention.
Dr. Dhiraj Shah, JAINA President
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