Vol. No. 7 February, 2001 Issue
Editors :P.L.Jain, Dr.Sulekh Jain, A. K. Jain	First News Magazine of Jainism on Internet Circulation 6500 Copies ( Jains Only )	www.jainsamaj.org

FREE SURGERY CAMP FOR POLIO PATIENTS IN INDIA
Mahavir International, a non-Governmental institution for providing medical relief to the needy people organized a free surgery camp for patients suffering from Polio in the age group of 5 to 21 years at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from 6th to 8th February, 2001. About 1200 children from various parts of Rajasthan registered themselves for the treatment.

Dr. Adi Narayan Rao, from Vishakhapattanam, who has earned international name and fame for his great devotion and contribution in the field of Polio eradication in India through latest surgical methods along with his expert team of 16 doctors performed operations on 300 children, all with full success.  The programme was supported by Social Development Department of the State Government of Rajasthan as well as by many private organizations and individuals. According to    Dr. Rao, there are about 70,000 people in India who are suffering from this disease and most of them are from poor class. The problem is of vast magnitude and it can not be tackled only by the Government. Various charitable institutions like Mahavir International, Rotary Clubs, Charitable Societies and Trusts in India and abroad should come forward to help in getting rid of this disease by organizing many more camps, like this in different parts of the country.

JAIN DIKSHA ( INITIATION TO SAINTHOOD )
Two persons from Chhatisgarh Dist. Of Madhya Pradesh accepted Jain Diksha, one, Shri Sunil Fateh Lal Surana, aged 26 years and other Shri Prashant Ugam Chand  Deshlehra, aged 20 years on 11th December, 2000 under the order of Muni Shri Prakash Chand Ji, a senior disciple of Revered Shri Champa Lal Ji Maharaj at Jodhpur.

EARTHQUAKE CALAMITY FALLS OVER GUJARAT STATE IN INDIA
A highly severe earthquake of the intensity of 6.9 on Rector Scale shook the entire State of Gujarat and many adjoining areas in the morning of 26th January, 2001 causing huge loss of lives and property. The epicenter of the havoc was at Bhuj, a small but rich town about 100 km from Ahmedabad, the State capital of Gujarat. It is believed that that more than one lakh people would have lost their lives including a large number of children in this tragedy. Many of the multi-storied buildings all over the State have completely fallen down, burying many lives as well as precious belongings. Relief is being rushed to help the needy from all the parts of the country as well as from other countries in the form of medical relief, excavating equipment, food, blankets, medicines, tents etc. termors of lighter intensity are still being felt in various parts of the State.

Jain-Christian Dialogue For The Promotion Of Self-Discipline And Non-Violence-On 30th November ,2000, CBCI Commission for Ecumenism Dialogue and the Anurat Bhagwan jointly organized a seminar on, "Jain-Christian Dialogue" at Anuvrat Bhawan, New Delhi. The seminar had three objectives, namely, to know more about the belief, system and the spirituality of both religious traditions, to establish inter religious relationship and supporting one another, while working for the promotion of inter religious dialogue, non -violence and serve to humanity.     Source-From MLBD Newsletter -A Monthly of Indological Bibliography.

President's Award For Rajaram Jain
Prof. Dr. Rajaram Jain - the Ex-professor of Magadh University and Principal Ganesh Varni Digamber Jain Sansthan has been awarded with President's Award 2000, by Govt. of India for his contribution in discovery of rare Jaina unpublished ancient manuscripts in Prakrit and Apabhramsa Languages and multifarious researches on them in a scientific way.    Source-From MLBD Newsletter -A Monthly of Indological Bibliography.

Bhagwan Mahaveer 2600 Birth Celebrations -N.Delhi
Bhagwan Mahaveer 2600 Janmakalyanak Celebration Committee of Delhi is organizing large scale celebrations on 05-04-2001 at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. On this occasion several thousands people from Jain Sects shall march from Connaught Place via Hanuman Mandir, Gole Dakkhana, Birla Mandir to Talkatora Stadium.

The preparations for the functions are being organized under the leadership of Shri Rikhab Chand Jain (President),Prof. Ratan Chand Jain (Secretary) and members of the celebration committee from all over Delhi. All Jains interested to know more about the programme may please contact Sh. Rikhab Chand Jain or Prof. Ratan Chand Jain at following address/telephone numbers :  Bhagwan Mahaveer 2600 Janmakalyanak Celebrations Committee, Delhi , 879, East Park Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi 110005. Tel. No. 7215644,3537762, 3613547,7430329