Big plans for JAINA Convention in California

Suresh Shah

CHICAGO: More than 300 Jain community members of Chicago area gathered here at the Bartlett Jain temple to learn in detail about the forthcoming JAINA convention slated to be held at Ontario in California.  JAINA convention leaders and board members visited JSMC to promote upcoming JAINA Convention 2019 (July 4-7).

Convener of JAINA Convention 2019 and First Vice President of JAINA, Mahesh Wadher of Southern California,  explained the theme “Celebrating Jain Religion in 21^st Century” and conveyed that attendees will have everlasting impression of JAINA and a unique immersion into Self-Realization with education, entertainment and inspiration.

Convention Co-convener, Dr. Nitin Shah of Los Angeles, mentioned that the planning for the JAINA 2019 Ontario convention started over a year ago with the creation of various committees and their leaders. JSMC Chairman Board of Trustees and JAINA convention Board member Atul Shah told JSMC members that Chicago community has one of the highest registrations in this convention next to CA registrations.

Dipak Doshi & Hemant Shah of Chicago, both past Chairmen of JSMC and also Committee Chairs of JAINA and Public Relations and Media; announced Convention’s distinguished Keynote Speakers and shared how keeping the Jain philosophy of Ahimsa, Anekantvad & Aparigrah in the forefront. Programming Committee has assembled world renowned speakers who would inspire through their insightful speeches on the topics of Seva, Satsang, Samarpan, Sadhana, Self-Realization, Current World Challenges, and many other topics.

First time attendees can expect to see the largest gathering of Jains in North America and partake in networking opportunities in over 5,000 square feet of Jain Temple to be created at Ontario Convention Center for daily prayers of 24 Tirthankars, concurrent talks on various topics including – Religion, Jain way of life, Ecology, Cruelty Free Products, and Exhibit Space with over 50+ vendors.

Among the Keynote speakers are Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev – Yogi, mystic and author involved in social outreach and environmental initiatives; Tulsi Gabbard – First Hindu US Representative from the State of Hawaii; Ingrid Newkirk – President of “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” (PETA); Philip Wollen – Animal right activist; ISKCON Monk Gaur Gopal Das – a motivational speaker, life coach and engineer and Nipun Mehta – Founder of Servicespace.org, a volunteer based non-profit.

There are also 80+ distinguished speakers including Jain Sadhu-Sadhvis, professors, doctors, scientists, authors, swadhyaykars, Jain scholars and spiritual guides.

One of the significant youth education and development initiative is a team-based competition, Jain Academic Bowl (JAB), launched first about a decade ago.  JAB is a jeopardy style vocabulary game in which young Jains compete with other teams. Topics range from Jain religion, scriptures, prayers, and philosophy to Jain geography, history, and a Jain Way of Life in the modern world.

JSMC President and Convention Committee “Jains Got Talent” (JGT) Chair, Vipul Shah, mentioned that  there will be a night of excitement with music and dance. On Thursday night, Parth Doshi, Kalpesh Kharwa and Shilpi Paul will lead into the traditional Raas-Garba with their melodious singing. The Cultural Program “One World, One Rhythm”, will rock with in a non-stop music, dance, and drama performances by artists of all ages on Friday night.

The JGT competition participants will showcase some of their enactments on Saturday night followed by an enthralling “Bollywood Night” show conducted by Rex D’souza, Mauli Dave and Sunny Jadhav. JSMC Board of Trustees and Convention food committee Chair, Hitesh Shah mentioned that, this time all the meals are going to be served by BAPS of California

Being featured for the first time in JAINA convention history and hence unique to this convention is Shatavdhan. Jaynesh Jain will demonstrate his ability and talent to memorize 100 questions, objects, or statements asked by a live audience. He will recall these questions, and even answer them as per his ability, in any order or sequence.

Art Workshop –Kartik Trivedi, the famous artist whose impressionist paintings are hanging in world famous galleries and accepted by Late President Ronald Regan, President Bill Clinton and French President Francoise Mitterand, offer a hands-on 3-hour art workshop.

Jain Yoga – Shanti Parakh, an internationally known Yoga teacher, Reflexologist, Metaphysician and Healer, will conduct morning Yoga sessions on July 5^th and 6th. He has created a series of Aasanas based on the Lanchhans of the 24 Tirthankars such as Halasana for bull – the lanchhan of Rishabhdev; Gajasana for Elephant – the lanchhan of Ajitnath, etc.