YJA Convention 2016 07 Los Angeles CA

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

Page 21

SECOND PLACE In this age of materialistic pleasures to indulge oneself, it is so easy to get caught up in the web of lavish pleasures.
It can range from the latest cell phone, to name brand clothes and shoes, to a luxurious cruise; the list goes on and on. Not only that, but keeping oneself picture-perfect for posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc., seems to be the latest trend.
But I decided to follow the footsteps of Mahavir.
Mahavir's life, a message of compassion and uplifting fellow human bings inspired me to research about the humanitarian crisis of farmer suicides in India, an issue which I had heard about when I was younger. I found that a farmer in India commits suicide every 40 minutes, (less than one class period in my local high school), for a debt that he owes either to a money lender or the bank.
In turn, his widow is left with no source of livelihood and homeless along with her kids. This ignited a flame of compassion within me. From here on, I had gained an undying feeling that I had to do something to help the widows of these farmers get back on their feet and be financially independent.
During my extensive research I soon came across a non-profit organization named "Save Indian Farmers" that was founded by Indian Americans. Instead of helping the widows financially, I agree with their philosophy make the farmers' self reliant for the rest of their life. With just five hundred dollars, this same organization has helped many widows to start their own businesses such as goat grazing, noodle making, grocery stores, etc.
I am currently working alongside this organization to raise awareness about this underrepresented issue. I have started a blog on their website of my recent visit to the victim families in India. I also am raising awareness about this issue within my school through my school's Human Right's League where I plan to have an informative assembly along with a walk to raise awareness and funds for the victim families. I hope to spread awareness about this issue through various Indian organizations, including Young Jains of America. I urge you to follow my blog on SIF's website! Here is the link: http://www.saveindianfarmers.com/web/through-chandnis-eyes/
Instead of just reading Jain scriptures and blindly reciting, I decided to implement the values it is preaching in my life. Just like the light from millions of lamps is of no avail to a blind person, studying scriptures alone is of no use to a person who does not apply them. Being an agent of change, by removing the despair and pain from these widows and giving them hope will make my life meaningful. I now can be the start to a change I want to see in the world.
This will further pave the way of my spiritual journey and help me attain a higher consciousness. This flame of compassion will give me hopefully give me Samyak Darshan in this birth or maybe the next.
CHANDNI SHAH, 15 Hillsdale, NJ
AGENTS OF CHANGE