News of the devastating cyclone that hit Myanmar on Saturday, May 3rd must have reached you by now. This is the time for all of us, the steadfast followers of "JIVDAYA" to rush to the aid of affected fellow human beings who are facing starvation, shortage of drinking water and epidemics like Cholera.

World Community Service of JAINA has launched a "Cyclone Nargis Victims Relief Fund" to raise Funds, to help the victims of Cyclone that ripped through the coastal towns of Burma, killing 60,000 (Death Toll may rise to 100,000) People, injuring Thousands and leaving at least five million people homeless in densely populated rice producing Irrawaddy Delta.

The Survivors urgently need basic necessities like Water, food, Clothes, shelter and Medical Supplies.

JAINA is working with Indian NGOs to assist the victims. Once, we get the permission, some of us will be leaving immediately for Myanmar to assess the damage and the needs firsthand. So far, JAINA as well as our sister NGOS have failed to get visa for Burma to deliver the basic necessities to the victims. Therefore, JAINA and our sister NGOS have decided to concentrate on rehabilitation work for millions of displaced people and help as many as we can and hopefully we will be able to get visa to evaluate the situation firsthand.

We will let the USA, UK and Indian Governments work with Burmese authorities and distribute basic necessities.

As a Jain, it is our greatest moral obligation to respond to the needs of helpless victims of this natural calamity. Your contribution will make a remarkable difference in the lives of these unfortunate victims.

Please send your tax-deductible contribution (USA) payable to "JAINA" and mail to:
Prakash Mehta
Co- Chairman, WCS
2960 Motherwell Ct.
Oak Hill, VA 20171

For further information and suggestions, please contact the following JAINA Representatives:

Dilip Shah President, JAINA    215-561-0581

Dhiraj Shah M.D. Chairman, WCS    716-773-1314

Bhadresh Dhila Co- Chairman, WCS    301-507 1117

see more convention photos

After 25 years This was the first convention designed and produced by JAINA with the help of many Sanghs. Almost 6,000 people attended the JAINA Convention reversing recent trend of declining attendance. The convention board was chosen from all over North America - from Toronto to California – people with years of Convention experience worked for 18 months to produce this convention. Dhrumil Purohit, Co Chair of YJA was also included in the convention board so that the planning for the entire convention always included youth perspective. Registration was handled by Toronto Sangh; Food was served by Jain Center of America (NY), Scholar invitation was handled by Washington Sangh, Jain center of Connecticut helped the scholars, Jain Center of NJ gave us volunteers, Cherry Hill Jain Sangh produced the Beautiful souvenir and the program book.

The collaborative effort of various Sanghs and pathshals was the hall mark of this convention. This convention was also carefully designed to be more religious than any previous convention Thursday, the first day of the convention was most inspiring day. Dev Guru Shastra Pooja, Parswa Padmavati Poojan, Pathshala Teacher's conference, opening of the Ashtapad & Three Chovishis exhibition and Ashirvachan of our monks and scholars set the right religious tone of the entire convention. Samovsaran – the greatest peace assembly in the history of the universe was the running theme of the convention. Samovsaran Rangoli exhibition opened on Friday afternoon. Friday evening musical "SAMOVSARAN" wherein 130 children from six different pathshals choreographed by Divya Jain of NJ and presented by Veeraytan won 10 minute standing ovation of every one in the auditorium.. Rangoli exhibition was so stunningly beautiful that some visitors went back five times to get another perspective. , a 5' x 8' model of Samovsaran by Cherry Hill Jain Sangh pathshala students and cover design of the program book all were the reminder of Mahvir's last sermon.

Famous German photographer Thomas Dix lent his photographs of Ranakpur and Abu Temples to decorate the hall with. Huge prints of his work adorned the walls, ceilings and the stage of the main hall creating a pious ambiance. Many of the prints used in decorating the hall were purchased by attendees. Programming committee team under the leadership of Nitin Talsania made the entire convention experience pleasant. Under his leadership, facilities committee headed by Varshaben Mehta created a Ranakpur Temple ambiance in the main hall and Himanshu Shah provided superb audio video services beyond expectations as studio quality sound was produced in such a large hall – a miracle indeed!

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SEE THE CONVENTION PHOTO ALBUM

Download Dr. Sudhir V. Shah's presentation about Science and Jainism