Jinamanjari 2001 04 No 23

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 89

JAINA as an Umbrella organization consisting of 57 Jain organizations in North America was established in 1981.
In North America there are nearly 40 Jain temples and more than 80,000 Jains. JAINA will be holding its 11th Biennial Convention in Chicago from July 5-8, 2001. Nearly 10,000 Jains are expected to participate. The theme of this convention is Practicing Jainism in 21st Century.
This big event was initiated and guided by Dr. Sushil Jain, Medical Consultant to The White House, also JAINA's Public Affairs Council Chairman and Dr. Manoj Dharamsi, Chairman of the 2600th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Lord Mahavir. A similar prayer is being planned in later part of this year in the US Senate.
After the ceremonies, Congressman Frank Pallone held a reception for all the attendees. Father Daniel Coughlin, Chaplain for the House also participated in the reception and thanked the Jain community for taking the initiative. JAINA representatives also presented a set of books on Jainism to Mr. Pallone, Chaplain Coughlin and their staff.
The day before, the Jain Center of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. held a reception at the Jain Center in honor of all the out of town visiting dignitaries.
After the prayers, the Jain Delegation met with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to follow-up on the invitation for 11th Biannual JAINA convention as Chief Guest. She expressed a strong desire to accept the invitation. The delegation also met with Senator George Voinovich to co-sponsor similar prayer in Senate.
As part of the yearlong celebrations of the 2600th Janma Kalyanak of Lord Mahavir, a big event is being planned in September 2001 in New York. Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan and the Jain Community will organize these celebrations. This function is expected to be presided over by the Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Similarly, all the Jain organizations in North America (nearly 80) have been holding many such programs throughout the year in 2001. Several mayors and Governors have declared year 2001 as the year of Non -Violence to commemorate these celebrations. In Maryland, the State assembly also conducted prayer earlier this year. A Senior Staff member of Representative Pallone also gave an extensive tour of the Capitol Buildings to all attendees.
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