YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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Chandrakant Mehta
Chandrakantbhai was born and raised in a religious family in Ahmedabad, India. He came to the United States in 1970 and holds Masters degrees in Physics and Nuclear Engineering. In 1996, he accepted an early retirement from Nuclear Engineering to accept a teaching position in academics and to devote more time for religious activities.
Jain Centers across North America appreciate his selfless service for the past 14 years, especially on his inspirational lectures and Jain discourses. He is a well respected Jain scholar who is instrumental in performing the traditional Swadhyaya and has also been actively involved in giving lectures, Aradhana, Samayik, and Shibirs.
He is fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. His goal is to continue promoting Jainism to adults and youth groups all over the world. Aagam, Prakashan Trust a non-profit organization) has published an audio series on the spiritual explanation of Uvasagga Heram stotra, Bhaktamar Stotra and Chaitya Paripati. His video on the Science of Samayik is extremely popular.
Chintan Parikh
Chintan Parikh was born and brought up in Mumbai. He has lived in New Jersey for 4 years and is a college graduate with a degree in Information Systems. Being a part of this year's convention planning team has been an enriching experience for Chintan and has helped him learn more about Jainism an grow as an individual.
Chirag Shah
Chirag Shah has just completed his senior year of high school and is on his way to Truman State University in Missouri to pursue Political Science to prepare him for law school. Born and raised in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI, his parents instilled in him a good foundation of Jain principles. When asked why he decided to present at the convention, he said, “Jain Rituals and Prayers have personally helped me to understand and explain how and why ceremonies are performed the way they are."
Cromwell Crawford
1 Cromwell Crawford's family came to India in the employ of the East India Company in 1761 — the first Crawford was a governor in the Orissa area and his son was in charge of the country's finances in India House, London, along with Secretary James Mill. Cromwell was born in Jhansi, reared in Bombay, and completed his first 7 years of college in Serampore, W. Bengal. Cromwell Crawford is currently a Professor and Department Chair at the Pacific School of Religion. His specialty is in Comparative Ethics, Indian Religions, and Health & Medicine in World Religions. Publications include: Evolution of Hindu Ethical Ideals; Ram Mohan Ror, In Search of Hinduism; World Religions and Global Ethics; Dilemmas of Life and Death: Hindu Ethics in a North American Context; forthcoming, Hindu Bioethics for the Twenty-first Century. He is recipient of the 1999 Indian Council of Philosophic Research and National Lectures Award. His personal web site is: www.geocities.com/judit_tiszai/cc-cv/
Dhrumil Purohit
• Dhrumil Purohit is a member of the YJA executive board and currently attends the University of Delaware as an Interactive Design major. His interests in Jainism were sparked when he wound up at the Toronto Jain Convention by "accident”. On weekends Dru can be found doing everything from break dancing to hanging out with Tibetan monks. Other interests include graphic web design for compassionate organizations and learning about the inner workings of the human body. Dru became a vegan two years ago and has since inspired other Young Jains to also pursue this compassionate way of life. At this year's YJA convention he is presenting on the laws of nature and his experiences as a 100% "Living Foodist”, one who only eats uncooked fruits and vegetables.