Naman Jain (Co-chair)
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Hi guys, my name is Naman Jain. I am the Cochair for YJA this year. I grew up in Boston and a big Red Sox fan. I recently graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Computer Engineering. Volunteering for Jain associated activities has become my passion in the past years. I plan to bring together some great events with your local regional coordinators. Look forward to events where you get to meet old friends and make new ones who share your interests. I love to hear ideas regarding events and new projects, and make those ideas possible. If you ever have questions, ideas or just want to talk, feel free to contact me at naman.jain@yja.org. |
Shardule Shah (Co-chair)
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Thank you for coming to the YJA website! I am very excited for this year because there is a lot of raw talent on this board. Naman and I will work together to make sure that the YJA Board puts together a year filled with exciting religious, social, and humanitarian activities. This year, transparency will be better than ever. E-mail board@yja.org with general questions regarding YJA and chairs@yja.org if you have a specific concern you’d like the co-chairs to address. About me? I’m currently a genetics lab technician at UPenn and hope to earn a PhD in Cell Biology. Oh, so you want to know interesting things about me? Well, I’m probably better than you at fantasy football. History/politics and music (heavy metal, Western classical, and Indian classical) are two lifetime passions. And in case you think there’s an overrepresentation of Bostonians on board, we’re just that good.
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Sumeet Bhandari (Director of Project Development)
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Hey guys, my name is Sumeet Bhandari and importantly I’m NOT a Bostonian and don’t even live close to it  . I have done my graduation from India with degree in Computer Science Engineering. Currently I am working as a Software Engineer for HP. I enjoy playing and watching sports like Cricket, Soccer, Formula 1 and Snooker, as well as working out and a complete dance freak. I am all amicable and a complete socialite. I am a proud Jain and Vegetarian, i believe that Jainism’s teachings on how do we live? what we should follow? what can we eat? and etc., is so scientific, contemporary and of great help in one’s life. I am all excited to be involved with the board for the second time!!! As a Executive Board of Director of Project Development and with the help of entire board, we will make sure that YJA shows it presence felt all over North America. Please note, If you have any ideas, comments, concerns, or just want to say Hi! Feel free to contact me at sumeet.bhandari@yja.org. Take Care!!!
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Sonia Shah (Director of Events)
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Hi guys! I am really pumped about being the Director of Events for the 2009-2010 year. I’ve been apart of the Boston Jain community since I was a kid, and have been actively involved with Pathshala, discussions, youth activities, holiday celebrations, and various projects. After attending my first YJA Convention six years ago, I’ve been inspired to participate and be involved since then. My goals this year are to get the Jain youth involved and ignite some Jain passion, as well as put together awesome events that you will gain a LOT from. Currently, I am working in the medical imaging field after graduating from Boston University with an engineering degree. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, don’t hesitate to e-mail me at sonia.shah@yja.org! |
Sheenika Shah (Director of Publications)
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Jai Jinendra YJA-ers! My name is Sheenika Shah and I am your Director of Publications this year. I was born in Los Angeles, raised in Orange County and currently live in San Diego…SoCal for life! I graduated from the University of San Diego in May 2008 and I am now in my second year of law school at California Western School of Law located in downtown San Diego. I love to travel, spend time with family and friends, and dance.I am excited to be part of YJA again this year, especially because I want to continue to involve and encourage youth like YOU in our growing Jain community. If you are interested in writing articles for our Young Minds quarterly newsletter or have suggestions/ideas/comments on how to improve it, feel free to contact me at sheenika.shah@yja.org .
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Ajay Dagli (Director of Fundraising)
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Jai Jinendra! Now on the YJA Board for three years, I hope to find great excitement with tremendously dedicated youth in order to plan another successful year for YJA. Since I was 5 years old, I have been actively involved at the Jain Society of Greater Detroit in all areas. From my experience with the local youth group (JOY), I took great understanding of the impact of being actively involved with pujas, lock-ins, dances, and garbas. Ever since completion of my bachelor’s degree in engineering, I have become involved in our pathshala classes as an assistant teacher to high school upperclassmen, being an active volunteer, and supporting YJA. One of my goals for 2009-2010 is to achieve a higher level of fundraising for the YJA 2010 convention. During preparation for YJA 2008 convention, I gained national, regional, and local experience in the best practices of raising money, so I want to share this experience for 2009-2010. In my spare time, I like to play and watch football, basketball, baseball (softball), and hockey. I just started to play golf, so I’m always looking for tips! Other than that, I like to share life experiences and grasp a better understanding of the global automotive industry. Contact me at ajay.dagli@yja.org. |
Nirav Bhavsar (Director of IT)
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Hey! This is Nirav Bhavsar, Director of Inforation Technology for YJA 2009-2010. This will be my second year on the YJA Board and I am definitely excited to be here again with our new amazing board. As the Director of IT, I will be in charge of our YJA.org website that you are reading right now as well as the 2010 Convention Website. I have also taken charge of Creative Design on the team in order to help the board maintain the YJA brand and identity for years to come!
Just a little bit about me: I was born and raised in Danbury, CT, lived in Orlando, FL for 2 years, and currently reside in Nashua, NH near the Boston area. I attended Boston University for undergraduate studies graduating in 2009 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. I am currently enrolled in my first year at Boston University School of Medicine. If you ever want to find me, you can get me first at nirav.bhavsar@yja.org.
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Vruddhi Choksy (Director of Finance)
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Jai Jinendra! My name is Vruddhi Choksy and I am the Director of Finance this year. I was born and raised in Surat, India for 10 years and moved to NJ, PA, and now have been living in Ohio for the last 5 years. I did my undergrad in accountancy and finance and currently working on Masters of Accountancy, while working in the exciting field of investments. Apart from the stock market, I like dancing, playing tennis and basketball, doing bollywood fitness workout, watching tv and movies, and hanging out with friends. I am addicted to chai with cereal no chevdo or butter biscuits, icecream, and chocolate. I have always been actively involved in the local Jain community wherever I lived and now have taken a step further to increase my involvement at the national level through YJA. I am very excited about being on the board and looking forward to the biggest and the best convention in 2010! If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to say hi, please contact me at vruddhi.choksy@yja.org.
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Shital Shah (Director of Education)
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Jai Jinendra! My name is Shital Shah and this is my 1st year being on board for YJA. I’m definitely looking forward to this year and being a fun and great year of getting many things accomplished. I was born in Chicago and have lived here in Schaumburg most of my life and am currently in my last year of pharmacy school. For fun, I enjoy watching movies, playing tennis and basketball, outdoorsy activities, traveling, painting or anything artsy. I also love spending time with family and friends and like to learn new things as much as I can. Growing up, I’ve always been involved at our local Jain Center of Chicago going to Pathshala and being involved in most of the activities and sessions going on. I’ve been brought up learning the importance of many of the values of Jainism and have gained a better appreciation of why we are so lucky to have a religion that offers so much. As my first year on board, I’m looking forward to spreading the importance and knowledge behind Jainism to the youth and expressing it in a fun and interactive manner. Keep an eye out on all the fun activities coming out! Please contact me if you have any questions at at Shital.Shah@yja.org. |
Priyanka A. Shah (West Regional Coordinator)
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Jai Jinendra YJA! I’m Priyanka Shah, and I’m your West Coast Regional Coordinator this year! I’m stoked to be a part of the board this year and look forward to promoting many regional events out on the West Coast and planning the 2010 YJA Convention. We’ve got a lot of fun events up our sleeves this year  . So, I’m pretty much the baby on the board. I’m currently a senior at Irvington High School here in the San Francisco, Bay Area. I’m a total California girl; born and raised in Nor Cal! I represent the Jain Center of Northern California, and have been actively involved with Patshala, and other youth activities for many years. I’m a Junior Olympic gymnast and diver, hoping to compete both next fall in college. I love meeting new people, snowboarding, powder puff football, baking Jain cupcakes, film & photography, slacklining and hanging with my fellow ‘boardies’–they are all amazing! I was inspired to join the board after attending the 2008 YJA Convention in Chicago. The ‘08 convention was probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Sharing your religion, culture, and making new friends through YJA is an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on. I highly encourage all of you to attend the upcoming 2010 YJA Convention–I guarantee you will have an amazing time! If you have any ideas, questions, or just want to say hi, feel free to email me at priyanka.arun.shah@yja.org! |
Apurva Patel (Midwest Regional Coordinator)
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Jai Jinendra, my name is Apurva Patel. I am excited to be this year’s Midwest Regional Coordinator. I am currently live in Columbus, OH and I work at an Internet startup. I graduated earlier this year from Babson College in Boston. In 2008, Chicago was the host for the best YJA convention ever! After such a great event, I would like to keep the enthusiasm and involvement in YJA going in the Midwest. I hope to bring everyone together for a Midwest Retreat. I also look forward to the 2010 YJA Convention, which will be just as great, if not better! My email is apurva.patel@yja.org. |
Paras Shah (South Regional Coordinator)
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Jai Jinendra! When asked to write a brief biography for the site, I was hesitant. I don’t have an exciting career to list here, I don’t have a college that I attend, and I haven’t helped on many projects. But, I am a senior at Bowie High School here in Austin, Texas. As South Regional Coordinator, I hope to bring exciting events to the region, bring the community closer together, and get the youth more involved on both a national level and a local level. My email is paras.shah@yja.org. |
Priyanka Jain (Northeast Regional Coordinator)
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Jai Jinendra! My name is Priyanka Jain and I am the Northeast Regional Coordinator on the YJA Board this year. I am really excited to promote Jainism among youth in my region and help plan for the 2010 YJA Convention! I was born and brought up in the suburbs of Boston and have been extremely active at our local Jain Center ever since I can remember. I’ve also been a local representative for the Boston area and worked on the 2006 Convention Committee. I am currently a senior at University of Connecticut and will be attending graduate school for a doctorate in physical therapy. I love dancing/choreographing and I lead an Indian-Fusion dance team in college Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions/comments at priyanka.jain@yja.org, I’m friendly and love meeting new people! |
Priyanka P. Shah (Midatlantic Regional Coordinator)
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Jai Jinendra! My name is Priyanka Shah, and I am the Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator. I recently graduated from Drexel University with both B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and I have been actively involved with pathshala, youth activities, and other events at the Jain Center of Cherry Hill, NJ for as long as I can remember. I am excited to take part in Jain activities at a national level through YJA. This year, I hope to promote Jain ideas through exciting regional events for youth and to help plan for the upcoming 2010 YJA Convention. If you have any questions, ideas or just want to say hello, feel free to contact me at priyanka.p.shah@yja.org. Thanks!! |
Arti Shah (Southeast Regional Coordinator)
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Hi my name is Arti Shah, I am the Southeast Regional Coordinator. I was born in Bombay, brought up in Asunción, Paraguay and graduated from The University of Miami, Miami Fl (♬♪ Its great to be a Miami HurriCANE♬♪). I am a soccer fanatic (♥Paraguay is qualified for South Africa 2010♥), love running, like odd numbers, doing bollywood/zumba workouts, chocoholic, traveling, learning new languages and trying different cuisines. This is my first year being part of Young Jains of America. I got highly motivated to join the board after attending a seminar at Jaina. This year I am looking forward to increasing the youth involvement and making it a breathtaking 2010 convention year. If you have any question, comments, concerns or just want to drop and say hi, dont hesitate to contact me at arti.shah@yja.org. |
