Author Archive
Young Minds is back!!!
Jai Jinendra,
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Young Minds. Our goal is to keep the
readers connected, informed, and entertained with articles across North America.
As you leaf through this edition, you will find a completely new make-over on the newsletter. This year’s Director of Publications, Sheenika Shah, and Director of Public Relations, Vaishali Shah, have been hard at work in order to include new sections and spreads in the Young Minds newsletter, including a regional updates- past and future events near you, “Dear Atma” column- answering some of the questions we received from you and articles written by our board members.
Enjoy reading,
~YJA Board
Please send us your feedback, questions or updates at youngminds@yja.org.
YJA 2008 Chicago
Hey guys! This is the official group for the YJA 2008 Convention which will be held in the Chicago area at the Marriott Lincolnshire resort. Join this group and keep checking in to keep updated on the latest news and events as we plan to bring you the best convention yet next July.
We are currently looking for volunteers that can commit to joining planning committees. If you are interested, please email me: rshah@lindenllc.com
Young Jains of America (YJA) is a committee of Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) who puts emphasis on projects relating to Jain youth from ages 14-29.
Our mission is: “to be recognized as a national and international umbrella Jain youth organization for establishing a network to share Jain heritage and religion through young people.”
Rutul Shah
p.s. Stay tuned by entering in your contact information in the following form:
Hip hop makes scriptures cool for young Jains
Via Times of India:
Edison, New Jersey: Jain scriptures sung in hip hop. That’s the latest East-meets-West saga as over 5,000 Jains from the US and other countries congregate here on Friday for the Jain Associations In North America (Jaina) meet.
And, bringing about this unique fusion is cappella singer Krupesh Mehta, who will perform at the ‘peace JAM’ during the convention, to get youth attracted to the scriptures, using this popular genre of music.
And, how does he get them to mix ?
“Realising the power of the word ‘Om’ forms the premise of the track that I will be performing. The energy of ‘Om’, going into the depths of its meaning, inspires you to look within yourself, realise your capabilities. And Jain ideology too emphasises the same, with purity of soul and raising your consciousness being the ultimate aim,” says Krupesh, an NRG Jain.
Having been raised in Queens, New York, his inclination for hip-hop came naturally. “I grew up listening to it. I realised that the youth would find it more appealing if hip-hop was the mode of presentation,” he says.
Krupesh, ‘Kru’ to his friends, started writing in 2000 while in high school and has used his mastery over words for the performance. “The style is hip hop but it’s all about words. They truly reflect the essence of the Jain scriptures,” he says.
The four-day convention will see performers using a combination of poetry, music, and lyrics to communicate their vision and message about various topics ranging from politics to spirituality and from racial bias to social injustice. While generational icon, Lauryn Hill, has been specifically invited for her spiritual and lyrical alignment with the convention’s theme ‘Peace Through Dialogue.’
And, beyond music, about 60 Jain scholars will discuss the ‘Building of a Diaspora – Jains without Borders.’
Kellogg Conf, Jain Int’l convention in Udaipur (Aug 5-7)
Dr Kirti Jain has helped arranged a Jain International Convention of NRIs in the enchanting city of Udaipur under the auspices of Acharya MahaPragya Ji on “Relevance of Jainism in the Present Context” on August 5 thru 7, 2007.
Dr. Jirti Jain and his team of organizers have arranged for 4 days of complimentary lodging and boarding in accordance with the traditional Mewari hospitality, along with available heritage tours of the region including the famous Ranakpur & Dilwara temples.
Please view the invitation here
JAINA Convention 2007 Photos
Jaina Convention 2007
Thank You for making this year’s convention one of the most successful so far. Our speakers, artist and planners feed off of the energy of the participants and that energy was stronger than ever.
Hats off to everyone involved.
Boy Kills Hog… I wonder why?
Via boing boing:
So a young boy in Alabama kills a huge wild hog. As I’m reading the article though, the question I am asking myself is why?
Watch out Rachel Ray, here comes Dr. Jain
Our good friend and mentor Dr. Manoj Jain definitely knows a thing or two about healthy cooking. About two years ago he realized a booked titled Jain Food: Compassionate and Healthy Cooking with none other than Tarla Dalal.
What we didn’t know, until today, is that Dr. Jain posted some YouTube videos of him making some of his delicious recipes. Dr. Jain with the technology skills!
Here’s one of our favorites, Tofu Sabji:
- More fantastic recipes from Dr. Manoj Jain here
- You can also check out his there books here
About Jain Diaries
Jain Diaries is a blog by YJA about Peace, Compassion, and having a good time. Written and edited by youth just like you. Enjoy!