Rishabh Das Jain appointed advocate general

The Madhya Pradesh government today appointed senior advocate Rishabh Das Jain as the new Advocate General of the state, official sources said.

The post fell vacant after Ravinandan Singh tendered his resignation, following a disproportionate assets case filed in Lokayukt recently.

The state government’s legislation department issued Mr Jain’s appointment order under the clause 165 of the Constitution. Mr Jain’s advocacy would be in the MP High Court on behalf of the state government.

Mr Jain’s term would be effective on the date of his assuming the office, they said.

Foreign students attend lectures on Jainism

VARANASI: On a week long education tour from June 14 to 19, a group of foreigner students
studied Jainism at the International School for Jain Studies (ISJS), Parshwanath Vidyapeeth. The students came from various countries including the US, UK, Belgium, Japan, Thailand and Norway.

According to Dr SP Pandey, director in-charge Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, the students were engaged in various classes during their stay. Prof MNP Tiwari, department of history of art, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), delivered a lecture on Jain Art while Dr Pandey delivered a lecture on Anuvrata (code of conduct for Jain house-holders. Sarah Hadmac, lecturer at Hawaii University, delivered her lecture on Jainism and ecology presenting the relationship between nature and man especially in the light of Jain scriptures. Prof Sudarsh Lal Jain, former dean, Faculty of Arts, also taught code of conduct for Jain monks and penance.

The visiting students also witnessed the puja ceremony held at Shvetambar Temple, Bhelupur. Students discussed with faculty members on various concepts of Jainism in detail and also visited the Jain temples. The group left for New Delhi on Friday.

Jain Group - LA Celebrates Silver Jubilee

By K.B. NAIR

ANAHEIM, CA - The Jain Social Group Los Angeles (JSG-LA)went all out to celebrate its landmark 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee in style at the Sheraton Park Hotel Anaheim Resort on June 13. The huge ballroom where the banquet was held was filled to capacity with members of the community.

The event began with the singing of the ‘Navkar Mantra’. The Vice President of the group Mihir Gandhi made the opening remarks and announced the theme of the evening “Friendship, Harmony and A Positive Attitude.” After this lighting of the lamp, he and co-emcee Priti Khara continued the proceedings. Gandhi pointed out that though it started small it had grown to become a strong entity because of the integrity of the its members which vigorously supported its vision to provide a platform to promote friendship and foster harmony. Narrating short stories titled “ Build your life” and “ The window” Khara reemphasized the importance of doing one’s very best in every endeavor all the time and the need to first look at oneself before jumping to criticize others.

In his talk to the members, President Pradip Dalal proceeded to list some of the many achievements of JSC-LA through the years prominent of which were several medical camps, Diwali programs and starting the celebration of Valentine’s Day. To foster family togetherness he said the group had also organized cultural programs, overnight trips and had also promoted talented artists from India and in Los Angeles. He added the group supports all the activities of the Jain Center and always discharges its charitable duties to those affected by disasters, not only in India but in the US too. He had a special word of appreciation for Bharathbhai and Chandrakantbhai of Jaybharat and its team, who had always produced the best cuisine for all its functions.

The keynote speaker was the Founder President of JSG-LA Mahendra Khandar who took the audience on a nostalgic journey of the group from the time the idea was initiated in 1983 by his elder brother Kishorebhai Khandar in Mumbai. He reminded all that while it might primarily be a social unit, it follows every tenet laid down by Mahavira, the Tirthankaras and Acharyas. Working hand in hand with the Jain Center, he said, JSG-LA had contributed to the Center’s Jain Bhavan building project and supported its causes. He acknowledged the contributions of every President, each of who, he said, had played a unique role in the Chapter’s growth and added it was during Anil Shah’s tenure that it registered an explosive growth and it was Pradip Dalal who had brought about stability and unity within the group. In closing he said he hoped every member would follow Mahavir’s advice to achieve a life of contentment which is to keep life simple and to be happy, which can only be earned by making others happy by serving them with compassion and love.

During the evening Pradip Dalal presented the President’s award to his Vice President Mihir Gandhi for his outstanding effort and dedication. Dr Nitin Shah, the sponsors, Ashok Savla, Arvind Joshi, Chandrakant Patel, Shashi Jogani and Subodh Sheth were recognized.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by young Kruti Shah, who opened with a enchanting dance item which was followed by an amusing stand up routine by comedian Patrick Hanifin. These items preceded the official segment of the evening after which L.A. crooner Charanjeet and his ensemble and Sarika provided the gathering with a wide selection of Bollywood music.

Ladnun institute imparting value-based education

New Delhi: In present times when we are all caught up in the mad rush to achieve the pinnacle of success, we need a system of education that can stimulate our soul within by putting into practice and propagating the moral & spiritual norms and values in us.

Such a system can foster and develop universal human relationships for a peaceful co-existence amongst individuals, groups, communities, sect, races, religion and nation. Our education system has addressed this need and through various institutes. One such establishment that has been able to propagate the intrinsic values of life is Jain Viswa Bharti.

Jain Viswa Bharti Institute was established in 1991 with inspiration from His Holiness Acharya Tulsi and now headed by his successor, Acharya Shri Mahaprajna a seer, saint and scholar. It is the world’s first Jain University. The institution combines theoretical research with practical research, in other words, it combines gyan (knowledge) and dhyan (meditation). The University is however free from any religious affiliations. The institute draws its spiritual strength and direction from Acharya Mahaprajna, who is above any sectarian bias. Acharya Tulsi and now Acharya Mahaprajna work untiringly towards eradicating social evils, reforming social customs, building national character and educating the masses on the principles of nonviolence, universal peace and brotherhood.

Acharya Mahaprajna recently visited Ladnun, Rajasthan on 30th April 2009 to spread the knowledge where people, irrespective of religion, caste & creed, gathered in mass rally to pay homage to the noble soul dedicated to the service of mankind. Acharya Ji’s visit was marked by a series of knowledge sharing sessions to pave path for a world of non violence and peace.

Heads of various organizations and also the prominent citizens of Ladnun and Shravakas had the honour of welcoming Acharya Mahaprajna and Yuvacharya Mahashraman. “The development in terms of infrastructure and result oriented activities which have been manifested in the Jain Viswa Bharti is the embodiment of the dream of Acharya Mahaprajna”, says Surendra Choraria, the president of Jain Viswa Bharti on the occasion of the welcome ceremony of Acharya Mahaprajna. He also said, “togetherness is the secret to the success”.

Acharya Mahapragya, who is often described as a thinker, philosopher, writer, and a walking encyclopedia of Jainology, is working towards putting into practice and to promote and propagate the high ideals of Anekant (non-absolutist outlook), Ahimsa (Non-violence), Tolerance and Peaceful Co-existence for the weal of mankind.

From Financial Express

Jains celebrate Bal Diksha victory

Ahmedabad: Following a sustained movement to prove Bal Diksha as a religious practice that has been performed for thousands of years, the Jain community has succeeded in keeping it away from the provision of the Juvenile Justice Act. The community is now planning to organise celebrations in various cities, including Ahmedabad and Surat.

The Shri Jain Shashanam Trust (SJST) had provided sustained legal and documentary support under the guidance of senior Jain monks.

"Bal Diksha has been opposed for many years and this agitation increased over the last 100. But it is a religious tradition and has continued for many centuries. Our great Diskhayug Pravartak Tapagchchhadhiraj Acharya Ramchandra Surishwarji Maharaj and Sagarsuri Maharaj had taken up the challenge of proving that Bal Diksha is a religious practice of Jains," said Anand Parikh, the Ahmedabad representative of SJST.

"Though Ramchandra Surishwarji Maharaj passed away 20 years ago, he started a great movement for Bal Diksha and created a momentum for it. Wherever he travelled, he inspired the Jain community through his lectures to come forward and work for the endeavour," he said.

Parikh further said that Kirtiyash Suri Maharaj Saheb, Ramchandra Surishwarji Maharaj's grand disciple, had taken over the mantle and continued the campaign.

"We have finally achieved our aim. The Union government has admitted that Bal Diksha is a centuries-old religious practice and has excluded it from the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice Act," he said.

The SJST conducted a celebration in Mumbai on June 7, and further a celebration will held in Ahmedabad within a week or two.

"Communities of senior Jain monks gathered at Madhavbaug in Mumbai last Sunday. In the presence of nearly 4,000 people, Acharya Kirtiyash Suri Maharaj Saheb was appreciated for his efforts for Bal Diksha. We are now planning to celebrate this victory in Ahmedabad. We will be decide the dates after contacting our spiritual leaders. It is likely to be scheduled in next 10-15 days," Parikh said.

The community had received official intimation about the exclusion of Bal Diksha from the venile Justice Act last April.

First Inshore Patrol Vessel of India named after a Jain Queen

First Inshore Patrol Vessel of India named after a Jain Queen

Visakhapatnam, May 28 : 'Rani Abbakka’, the first of the five Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV), built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) was commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), here today.

Talking to newspersons, Inspector General of ICG (eastern region) SPS Basra, who was present on the occasion with his wife Ms Harkiran Basra, said HSL was building five such vessels for the Coast Guard at a cost of Rs 231.19 crore.

The vessel, meeting International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards, was built for dual class certification by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Indian Registered Shipping (IRS). It was a high speed vessel built of light steel hull and fitted with water jet propulsion system to get high speed operations at 34 knots.

The Centre had already approved a large vessel, five off shore patrol vessels, ten fast patrol vessels, 25 inshore patrol vessels and 20 interceptor boats, he said, adding post Mumbai 26/11 attack, the security scenario had warranted extensive patrolling and enhanced surveillance along the coast in the country.

The threats were real and the reaction to such situations needed to be fast and effective, he added.

HSL Chairman and Managing Director Naresh Kumar said the HSL was constructing three vessels concurrently and would be delivering all the five vessels of the series within an year.
--- UNI



-Mahavir Sanglikar

Root vegetables get chop from in-flight meals

By Lee Wen-yi

Monday, Jun 01, 2009,

In line with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) new policy on special meals, starting today, the nation’s airlines will not include root vegetables in their in-flight Asian vegetarian meals.

According to new standards for in-flight dining set by IATA, airlines will no longer be allowed to include root vegetables such as potatoes and yams in such meals.

Liu Tsan-hsiung (劉燦雄), a chef for EVA Airways, said that airlines have set their own standards for special in-flight meals, and this was the first time that IATA had conducted a major overhaul of standard ingredients to be used in special meals.

Although the guidelines are not mandatory, each airline generally follows standards provided by IATA.

Liu said he did not understand why root vegetables had been prohibited from standard Asian vegetarian meals.

It is possible that the measure was intended to cater for Jains.

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion whose followers are strict vegetarians and are also forbidden from eating root vegetables.

Liu said that without root vegetables, “the traditional Taiwanese meal would lose its flavor.”

He said he would observe reaction to the new vegetarian meals to decide if he should recommend that IATA change its policy.

‘Young Jains’ to be Launched Soon!

‘Young Jains’ to be Launched Soon!

Young Jains, a new monthly magazine, will be launched soon from Pune. This is the first international Jain news magazine published from India.

The main objective of this magazine is to create a network between Jain youths of every part of India and other countries. The magazine will focus on educational and career opportunities, personal achievements and social activities. It will discuss social causes, social problems and their solutions. It will also publish reviews of Jainism related new books. It will create Jain spirit and Jain identity amongst the readers.

Young Jains believe that every person in the world has some elements of Jainness, so it does not believe in a Jain has to born in Jain family. Young Jains does not believe in sects and castes. It promotes Practical Jainism and opposes rituals and useless things.

Young Jains is a new venture of ennovata* CEO and Animal Rights activist Mr. Dhiraj Jain, who is the Editor and Publisher of this magazine. Mr. Mahavir Sanglikar is the Executive Editor.

The magazine will be distributed free for first four months in all Jain organizations, institutions and activists.

You can send news, articles, information etc. for publishing in the magazine by emails to editor@youngjains.com or by post on following address:

Young Jains
Post Box No. 58
Chinchwad East, Pune 411019
India

For more information, please call 0 909 608 2940 or 0 927 309 3122


-Mahavir Sanglikar

*ennovata is an Indian 'Software Development', 'Web Services', 'Staffing' & 'Business Processes' Outsourcing Company

Please forward this mail to all your friends with a CC to editor@youngjains.com . All forwarders who forward this mail to more than 100 friends will get FREE SUBSCRIPTION of Young Jains for 6 months.

Rakesh Jain Selected for World Wrestling Competition

Udaipur (Rajsthan):

Rakesh Jain, the National Wrestler from Laxman Singh Vyayam Shala of Udaypur, Rajsthan, is selected for the World Wrestling Competition to be held at Georgia (Europe). The competition is starting from 4th June at Tbilisi, the Capital city of Georgia, Jalam Chand Jain, Secretary of District Wrestling Association told to the newspersons.

Rakesh will represent India in Free Style (60 Kg. Group). Rakesh has won many medals for Udaipur in various wrestling competitions, including State Level and National Level competitions.

A total number of 14 wrestlers from India are taking part in this completion. 7 of them will take part in Free Style wrestling and other 7 in Greco Roman