22.08.2015 ►JAINA ►PM Modi Visit, Jain Chair, Student Loan Deadline @ HereNow4U

Federation Of Jain Associations in North America

1. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Jai Jinendra, PM Narendra Modi will be holding a Town Hall meeting in San Jose, California on September 27, 2015. JAINA is a Welcome Partner Organization and we have limited number of free passes. Please send e-mail to if you wish to attend. Rajasthan High Court recently passed a Judgement banning Jain practice of Sanlekhna/ Santhara. As you know, Santhara has been practiced by Jains for many centuries. JAINA is collaborating with Jain Organizations in India for a united and proper response. We will keep you updated. Sincerely, Ashok Domadia JAINA President
2. JAINISM IN THE NEWS
*Establishment of a Chair for Study of Jainism at University of California*
Dr. Jasvant Modi, Mr. Rajesh Shah, Dr. Nitin Shah, Mr. Mahesh Wadher, Mr. Virendra Shah with UCI Officials A historical celebration of the establishment of three endowed chairs– Shri Parshvanath Presidential Chair in Jain Studies, Dhan Kaur Sahota Presidential Chair in Sikh Studies and Swami Vivekananda-DCF (Dharma Civilization Foundation) Presidential Chair in Modern India Studies - in the School of Humanities at the University of California, Irvine was held at the Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC), Buena Park on August 12, 2015. $1.5MIL has been allocated to sustain the Jain Chair at UCI. This is a significant achievement as it brings the value of the study of Jainism into mainstream academia and creates openings for deeper understanding of Jain principles and their and applications.

3. COMMITTEE UPDATES
*I. Forgiveness Day - Saturday September 26 - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!*
	With the observance of Paryushan and Das Lakshan next month, we would like to inform you to mark your calendars for the celebration of "Forgiveness Day" as an opportunity to practice the power of forgiveness with your family and friends (be them Jain or non-Jain). In the next few weeks, you will be receiving multi-media tools via our newsletters, , and mobile app (free download for and users). This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the value of forgiveness with your friends and family, who are both - Jain and Non-Jain.

II. JAINA Education Loan Program (JELP)

JAINA Educational Loan Program (JELP) is to provide financial aid to practicing Jain youths in North America who wish to embark on a college career path and have a demonstrated financial need. JELP will provide five (5) need-based educational loans to graduating high school seniors entering college to pursue higher education. Loan amounts are $3,000 per student per academic year. to read more about the eligibility criteria.

Due Date Extends: 31st August! HURRY UP!

4. CENTER SPOTLIGHT - VIRTUAL YATRA (TOUR) OF JCSC

The Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) located in Buena Park, California is a non-profit religious organization to pursue a goal of practicing, promoting and preserving the Jain religion. It is governed by a constitution and managed by Board of Directors and an Executive Committee. We would like to thank everyone and the Sarva Mangal Family Trust for coordinating the Google 360o Virtual Yatra for the Jain Center of Southern California.

What is a Virtual Yatra (Tour)?

What is Virtual Yatra? It’s a great Google Tour that both Jains and Non-Jains can view worldwide - shows magnificent carvings, writings, and details. You can zoom in and out, rotate up and down, see multiple levels, and or walk from one end of Jain Center to another.

Please view the Google 360o Virtual Tour by clicking the below images

WOODEN TEMPLE

GHABHARO (SHRINE)

SHREE SANKESHWAR TIRTH PAT

BHAMTI

DEV GHOKLA

ADINATH PAGLA

CULTURAL HALL

RANGMANDAP DOME

AGAM DISPLAY

5. OPPORTUNITIES

I. Forbes Under 30 $100,000 prize for faith entrepreneurs

Do you know social entrepreneurs who are motivated by their faith and working with humility to change the world around them? Invite them to apply to the Forbes' ! Submissions are due no later than August 26.

With support from the , and are managing the "Faith Entrepreneur Prize" category of the Forbes . We are looking for social entrepreneurs who are motivated by faith to change the world around them. Faith must be integral to their work and mission. The "Faith Entrepreneur Prize" is open to people of all faith traditions and backgrounds.

The winner of the Faith Entrepreneur Prize will receive $100,000 USD to support his/her organization. The Faith Entrepreneur Prize winner will then compete onstage at the Forbes Under 30 Summit on October 6th in Philadelphia with winners from six other program categories, in front of 2,000 world-class mentors and the best young entrepreneurs and game-changers in the world. The overall winner will receive a grand prize of at least $400,000 USD in additional cash and in-kind support, bringing their award total to at least $500,000 USD, and the overall award total to $1,000,000 USD.

II. National Seminar On Virchand Gandhi

A symposium is being arranged to highlight the personality and accomplishments of Shree Virchand Raghavji Gandhi, the torch-bearer of the Indian culture and the one who, 120 years ago in 1893, accompanied Swami Vivekananda to the World Parliament of World Religions held in Chicago, USA and raised the awareness of Indic faiths there.

Three leading institutions, the Institute of Jainology (India & UK), Shree Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh and Jain Vishwakosh (Mumbai & Ahmedabad) have got together to organise this symposium. Scholars of this subject, researchers and thinkers from Gujarat and elsewhere in the nation will be participating in this event.

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