Dubai: First Ever Jain Milan Successfully organized with cultural extravaganza

By Shodhan Prasad
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai, 04 Feb  2014 : The first ever Jain Milan Dubai was inaugurated in a traditional way at India Club Auditorium, Dubai on Friday the 31st January, 2014.  Though it was the first gathering of the Jain Community, the auditorium was really fully packed with community members enthusiastically gathered in support of the Milan in Dubai.

 

The programme started with welcome by ladies holding Kalasha in the background of drum beats as they welcomed Parama Poojya Swasthi Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Maha Swamiji of Sri Jain Mutt, Moodbidri  who inaugurated and did the aashirvachana of the first ever Jain Milan in Dubai.  He conducted the traditional Jain Pooja formalities and blessed the members and guests.

 

Soon all the Guests including D. Surendra Kumar, National Executive President, Bharatiya Jain Milan, M.S. Mruthyunjay, President, Zone-8, Bharatiya Jain Milan, K. Prasanna Kumar, Exec. President Zone 8 Bharatiya Jain Milan, Pushparaj Jain, Secretary Zone 8 Mangalore - Div, Bharatiya Jain Milan & David Frank Fernandes, CEO Mosaco Shipping LLC Dubai were invited on to the stage and honoured with flower bouquet.

Later P. Devkumar Kambli, President Jain Milan Dubai - UAE rendered welcome speech beautifully and briefed on the formation of the Jain Milan in Dubai and how he was supported by other members in the formation process.  P. Devkumar Kambli is well known in social circles around UAE for a quite long time.

Parama Poojya Swasthi Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Maha Swamiji along with other guests lighted the traditional lamp and inaugurated the function.  Later all the guests one by one gave a brief speech all highlighting the importance of community organisation and the common teachings of every religion.

D Surendra Kumar, National Executive President of Bharatiya Jain Milan in his speech urged the newly inaugurated unit to reach out to more members of the community in the Gulf and also to spread the message of Jainism.  He shared his experience and mentioned on how one should seek favour from the government in the right time for the right necessity which will enable in the upliftment of the needy in the community.

 

Another guest David Frank Fernandes started his speech with the Vedic hymes which mesmerized the audience as he being a Christian, how could he recite the sloka so well fluently was a question.  He then gave a good speech referring to the verses in Geeta and Epics.  He concluded that people of all religions must treat each others with respect and incorporate the essence of all religions in their lives.

Pushparaj Jain, Secretary of Bharatiya Jain Milan, was also present as a special guest. Prasanna Kumar, President of Bharatiya Jain Milan spoke on the duties and responsibilities of members.  Mrityunjaya, Jain leader spoke on the various welfare activities of Jain Milan.

The new office bearers were administered oath on the occasion.  Anitha Surendra Kumar, President of the women’s wing of Bharatiya Jain Milan, Devikumar Kambli, President of Jain Milan Dubai were also on the dais along with Secretary Sandesh Jain Angadibettu & Vice President B. Bharath Hegde.

 

All the Guests including Maha Swamiji were felicitated on the stage with Shawl, Garland, Memento & Fruit basket.  Community Leaders of various organisations of the Gulf namely Satish Venkatramana, Sarvottam Shetty, Satish Poojari, Prashanth Acharya, Shodhan Prasad, Sudhaker Alva, Balakrishna Salian, Herman Lewis and others were present.  All these leaders along with the Media Members were also invited on to the stage and felicitated with flowers.

Later Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Maha Swamiji rendered a beautiful speech with message.  In his address, the seer called upon members of the community to tread the path of righteousness and follow the principle of non-violence to lead a meaningful life.  He briefed some of the teachings of Lord Mahavira and the importance of the same in the present world.  He ended his speech with Shanti Mantra and blessed all the audience.

Sumptuous buffet Jain vegetarian lunch was served to all the invitees who savored every bit of it.

The later half continued with cultural programme compeered by Sandesh Jain, Secretary of Jain Milan Dubai.  Children of Jain community in Dubai presented various dances beautifully which included folk dance, patriotic dance, classical dance and music.

The programme ended late in the evening.