Launch of Pratikramana Guidebook, DVD & CD by JVB London

On Sunday 9 September, the first day of Paryushana Parva, JVB London hosted a launch function for the Pratikramana guidebook, DVD and CD that has been worked on for the last 6 months. The guidebook is written in English, Hindi & Gujarati; CD is in English & Gujarati and DVD is in English.

The programme commenced with a beautiful dance on the theme of Namaskar Mahamantra performed by Miss Shreeena Mehta. Smt Pushpaji Banthia welcomed the audience on behalf of JVB London.

Following this Mr Saggar Malde who had worked extensively on the project spoke about the significance of Pratikramana and why this project is an opportunity for all Jains. He also thanked Samani Prasanna Pragyaji on behalf of all the participants for giving the opportunity to be involved in the work.

Samani Vishad Pragyaji expressed her thoughts on the dedication shown by participants as well as the efforts of Samani Prasanna Pragyaji as the overall overseer of the project.

Shree Kaushikbhai Khajuria then mesmerised the audience with the popular hymn, ‘Hai Veer Mahaveer’.

Samani Prasanna Pragyaji in her lecture aptly described the participants not as workers but as artists. She commended each individual by name and described the role that they had played in the completion of this work. She further thanked all the Samanijis for their untiring efforts and assistance, which ensured the success of the project. Samaniji explained that when she asked His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya for his blessings she was certain he had also given her the strength to ensure that this project was completed within such a short time frame. The families of Shree Sunil Sanghavi and Shree Hiten Sanghavi underwrote the cost of the whole project and Samani Prasanna Pragyaji expressed the gratitude of JVB London for their generosity.

Mrs Sayerji Choraria then officially launched the Pratikramana guidebook and the accompanying DVD and CD, following which the audience enjoyed a few short clips from the DVD.

Finally, bahumaan (appreciation) in the form of sets of the Pratikramana guidebook, DVD and CD as well as other religious books were presented to the participants of the project. Samanijis recited the verses they had composed to describe the work of some of individuals.

Shree Dineshbhai Shah was the compere of the the programme. He said that the basis of the Pratikramana guide was “Sachitra Shravaka Pratikramana” written by Late Ganadhipati Gurudev Tulsi.This was translated into English by Dr Peter Flugel, Director of the Centre for Jain Studies, SOAS, University of London. As an appreciation to everyone who had been involved in the project and as a rallying call to other fellow Jains to get involved in community and social work, Dineshbhai concluded the event by a quotation from the Nobel laureate, Albert Einstein.

“A hundred times a day I remind myself; that my inner and outer life depends upon the labours of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to live, in the same measure as I have received and am receiving.”

The function was well attended and some of the representatives of the Jain organisations were also present. The audience expressed their pleasure at the launch of such a valuable and useful set.

“Navkar Mahamantra” dance performed by Miss Shreena Mehta

Mr Saggar Malde talking with the compere Shree Dinesh Shah

Smt Sayerji Choraria officially launching “pratikramana” guide book together with DVD and CD

Samani Prasanna Pragyaji holding CD and Samaniji Vishad Pragyaji looking.

Samani Prasanna Pragyaji displaying “pratikramana” guide book and Samaniji Vishad Pragyaji looking.

Smt Renuben Malde receiving a token of appreciation from Smt Pushpaji Banthia on behalf of JVB London

Shree Pravinbhai Mehta receiving a token of appreciation from Shree Sobhagbhai Shah on behalf of JVB London.In the background,
L to R: Mr Paras Shah,Shree Kaushikbhai Khajuria and Smt Sayerji Choraria

Part of the audience