YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

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

Page 17

Nature Love
1 Nature Love was born in Wilmington, Delaware into what he calls, "an infinite realm of life on a beautiful planet." At the age of 15, he began to have dreams of being vegetarian. Against his doctor's and family's will he pursed this sensation and started his spiritual journey in life. Nature's fascination with health and the body's limitless capabilities eventually brought him to a Living Foods diet- a diet in which one only eats fresh, organic, uncooked fruits and vegetables. His vast knowledge of the body's workings has inspired many to regain true health and happiness and live a life they never thought possible. Nature's interest in Jainism and Ahimsa has led him to the YJA Convention to motivate young adults across the globe to grow far beyond their self-placed restrictions.
Pallavi Gala
Pallavi Gala is a Microbiologist and Biophysicist by education and Mother by occupation. Actively involved in Arcadia Schools and Jain Pathshala. She has been teaching in the Pathshala at the Jain Center of Southern California since 1994.
Parin Tolia
Parin is a 24 year old graduate of the Stern School of Business with a dual Bachelor's degree in Finance and Information Systems. He works as an Investment Analyst at Global Asset Management, a subsidiary of UBS Global Asset Management. He enjoys basketball, chess, cooking and socializing in his spare time. he also likes to travel and experience different cultures throughout the world.
Pramodaji Chitrabanu
Born and brought up in a traditional Jain family, Pramodaji Chitrabhanu developed an interest in the study of the philosophy of Jainism from early childhood. After acquiring the necessary knowledge of the teachings, she started to practice it from eleven years of age. In this way, the philosophy gave a direction to her life that inspired her to study various subjects, thus enriching her vision, knowledge and practice.
After receiving her Bachelors Degree from Mumbai University, majoring in psychology, she dedicated her life to practicing meditation and studying Jain Dharma in depth. Her interests in learning Sanskrit, Jain mantras, music and vegetarianism added extra dimensions to her knowledge of Jainism.
Pramodaji's main interest is to help put the Jain teachings into day-to-day life. She focuses on women's issues and helps females emerge out of their narrow self so they can see their potential. This includes steps a woman can take to develop sufficient self-confidence, to build independence from dependency, and to have self-love and love for family members and other people around her. She says that when one comes from a place of self-love, without ego, then one acts with integrity, compassion, respect, kindness and appreciation toward all living beings, including oneself. She believes that once we understand how important our thoughts really are, we will not take our actions in the world so lightly for what we give out, comes about.
She is presently the President of the Jain International Meditation Center in Mumbai which sponsors projects directed in education and rehabilitating the poor and the underprivileged. She works for the Reverence for Life Society, and for Beauty Without Cruelty, in Mumbai which promotes animal welfare and the vegetarian way of life worldwide.
During her stay in New York City, she gives classed in meditation and Jain philosophy, exposing friends to the high vision, pure ideals and potent vibrations of the Jain teachings. She has written three books: namely, Foods of Earth, Tastes of Heaven; Jain Symbols, Ceremonies and Practices; and To Light One Candle, co-authored with Clare Rosenfield.