Tribute to 19th Century Indian Legend Shri Virchandji Raghavji Gandhi

Author(s): JAINA VRG Committee
Publisher: JAINA VRG Committee

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BRIEF INTRODUCTION: JAINA & JAINA, VRG;
Gunvant Barvalia (World renowned Jain Scholar) Ex-India Committee Member: JAINA, VRG Chair: Saurashtra Kesri Pran Guru Jain philosophical &
literary research centre Hon. Secretary: All Indian Shwetambar Sthanakwasi
Jain Conference, Mumbai
First Jain & first Gujarati to come to America was Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi in 1893 & addressed as Father of American Jainism.
What is JAINA:
It is a Federation of Jain Associations in North America - umbrella organizations to preserve, practice, and promote Jain Dharma and Jain Way of Life. JAINA was started with the blessings from Acharya Shri Sushil Kumarji & Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji. It was initiated at the first Jain Convention held in Los Angeles in 1981 and formalized at the second Jain Convention in New York in 1983. Represents over 1,50,000 Jains and over 72 Jain organizations. Today JAINA is world's premium Jain organization. Smt. Lataji Champsee is current dynamic JAINA president.
What is JAINA Organizational Structure:
There are over 72 organizations under the JAINA umbrella. Each organization, based on their membership size appoints 1, 2, or 3 Directors. There are 110 JAINA Directors who elect the JAINA Executive Committee every two years. Also there are over 35 specialized working groups called JAINA Committees.
JAINA is certified by USAID as a humanitarian organization, and is an NGO with Special Consultative Status with The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. With administrative headquarters in New York, JAINA is managed by an Executive Committee consisting of representatives of member organizations, supported by over 35 committees and hundreds of volunteers.
The following broad-ranging beneficial services are offered to its affiliates, Jains, visitors and other non-Jains, interested in
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