CHICAGO - The Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) will be celebrating its 21st Convention on the Fourth of July weekend — from July 1st to 6th, 2021. It has been planned as a virtual event.
Every two years, this premier event brings together 4000-5000 members of the Jain Community from across the world. It has been planned to be a global event and, it being virtual, is expected to attract even larger audience from USA, Canada, India, UK, Australia, UAE and several other countries.
The Convention will showcase our firm belief that spirituality enables us to sustain our sense of self and purpose through beliefs, principles, values, and morals. Hence the theme for this year’s Convention is “A Resilient Path to Peace”.
The Convention will showcase our firm belief that spirituality enables us to sustain our sense of self and purpose through beliefs, principles, values, and morals. Hence the theme for this year’s Convention is “A Resilient Path to Peace”.
Convention Convener and First Vice President of JAINA, Mr. Haresh Shah of Delaware, proudly announced the start of convention planning with hundreds of volunteers from across the nation offering their contribution. The Convention Board and its several committees have been hard at work to ensure that this virtual convention is a once-in-a lifetime experience. The Convention will feature a state-of-the-art, user-friendly, and interactive conference platform with many features such as an online Main Hall, 6 Breakout Rooms, 4 Competition Rooms, and an Exhibition Hall.
Enlightening discourses, discussion tracks and activities planned at this Convention will offer attendees a deeper understanding of Jain principles and values while also helping our communities with a roadmap to bounce back. Youth participation, through JAINA’s affiliate organizations, Young Jains of America (YJA), Young Jain Professionals (YJP), as well as Jain Connect will be strongly promoted and encouraged. There will be focused programs for all age groups: children (ages 5-12), youth (ages 13-20), Jain Networking Forum (ages 21-29), and adults.
Other featured events include the popular Jain Academic Bowl (JAB), a jeopardy style vocabulary game in which young Jains compete with other teams, Jains Got Talent (JGT) and Tirth Bhav Yatra – A virtual Tirth Yatra of about 12 major Tirth of India broadcast live.
Public Relations and Media Committee Chair Mr. Vipul Shah of Chicago has confirmed that spiritual dignitaries such as Acharya Ratnasundersuri Maharaj Saheb, Rashtrasant Gurudev Shree Namramuni, Pramansagarji Maharaj, Sadhvi Charitraarth Prabhaji and many others will enlighten us with their wisdom during the Convention. While Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri will give the keynote address, other featured speakers include Shri Gyanvatsal Swami, Brahma Kumari Sister Shivaniji and Dr. Veerendra Heggade. The line-up of other prominent and inspirational speakers includes Dr. Christopher Miller, Dr. Steven Southwick, Rahul Kapoor Jain, Sonam Wangchuck, and Miki Chase.
The daily sessions and discussions will be well-complemented by refreshing Cultural Programs in the evening including Jain Drama, Jains Got Talent (JGT), and entertaining cultural performances from across the world. Virtual kiosks and Exhibition Hall round out the experience for audiences with varying interests.
JAINA convention 2021 is an invitation to all who aspire for a peaceful resilient recovery from the pandemic and to reweave the delicate fabric of humanity. Since opening the registration on January 9th, over 2,700 attendees have already registered for the convention.
Vipul Shah states, “Come join us, with our collective wisdom we will dream and create a nonviolent future of Love, Peace and Collaboration. Your presence and participation will help us ground in interconnection and solidarity and walk with you on the resilient path to peace we build together.”
About JAINA
Founded in 1981, JAINA is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization. JAINA (www.jaina.org) is the umbrella organization of 70+ North American centers / temples in the USA and Canada. Operated by a staff of hundreds of volunteers, it functions as a philanthropic, educational, and service-focused organization. JAINA is certified by USAID as a non-governmental humanitarian organization and was awarded Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 2006.
Its member Jain Centers routinely organize free wellness clinics, hold classes on healthy lifestyles, conflict-resolution, inter-cultural dialogues, volunteering at animal shelters, food banks and homeless shelters, and partnering with civic groups such as Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, Rotary, Lions and Boy/Girl Scouts. JAINA partners globally with humanitarian organizations to render disaster relief, medical aid, polio eradication, restorative limb camps, as well as organizing annual Legislative Conferences on Peace, Harmony and Non-Violence on Capitol Hill.