JVBNA celebrated Path of Ahimsa – Mahavir Jayanti, Akshay Tritiya and Tribute to Gurus – on May 7, 2016 at the JVBNA Center for Peace and Meditation under the auspicious guidance of Samani Sanmati Pragyaji and Samani Jayant Pragyaji. The program was beautifully steered by Master of Ceremony Shreen Bhansali and consisted of a melodious Manglacharan by Shilpa Bhansali, mesmerizing spiritual kawwali by the JVBNA choir comprising Kamal Daga, Sumitra Kankariya, Sushma Sodhia, Sonia Jain, Shilpa Bhansali, Nitu Mohnot, Nitin Chordiya, Rajeev Mohnot, Rajiv Jain and Arnav Sacheti, and a beautiful bhajan by Aanya Baid, Chairman Pratap Jain highlighted the uplifting importance of gurus in our lives. President Madhumita Sacheti, along with members of her team presented information about the activities at JVBNA. Director Surendra Kankariya and Director Rohit Jain presented the financial status of the new center project and thanked donors. Namrata Shah and Dinesh Doshi shared their personal inspiration and encouraged others to come forward to support the cause.
The highlight of the program was the family skit competition that showcased how families find creative ways to resolve problems using the tenets of Jainism. The families of Sheetal & Shweta Daftary, Rohit & Deepa Jain, Ashish & Ankita Jain, and Anish & Prachi Shah participated in the contest. The first prize was awarded to Rohit & Deepa Jain’s family by the judges comprising of Samanijis, Sunil Mehta, and Deepesh Singhvi.
The third annual Gyanshala and Youth Forum Magazine, a collection of articles, poems, and drawings by Gyanshala and Youth Forum children that was edited by Supriya and Reena Bothra was presented by Youth forum teens Arnav Sacheti, Palak Shah & Tanvi Shah and released by Samanijis.
Samani Jayant Pragyaji spoke about four kinds of Man and the benefits of having a guru to help us stay on the right path and to have faith. Samani Sanmati Pragyaji spoke about the attributes of a positive personality and inspired all to hone such qualities in themselves. Samanijis sang a beautiful rendition of guru bhakti: Annthakaran ko jagaye guru ke dhyan se. The program ended with the auspicious Mangal Path. The sadharmik vatsalya was sponsored by Sampath and Dolores Jain on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
