Jain community converges for first-ever Milan in Dubai
Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Feb 4: The first-ever Jain Milan programme in Dubai was held recently at India Club Auditorium, Dubai. The auditorium was fully packed with community members enthusiastically gathered in support of the Milan in Dubai.
The programme started with a traditional welcome by ladies to Parama Pujya Swasthi Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Maha Swamiji of Sri Jain Math, Moodbidri amidst the beating of drums. Sri Bhattaraka Swamiji inaugurated the event and did the aashirvachana of the first-ever Jain Milan in Dubai. He conducted the traditional Jain puja rituals and blessed the members and the guests.
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, executive president, Zone-8 Bharatiya Jain Milan, Pushparaj Jain, secretary, Zone-8 Mangalore - Division, Bharatiya Jain Milan and Frank Fernandes, CEO, Mosaco Shipping LLC Dubai were invited on to the stage and honoured with bouquets.
Later P Devkumar Kambli, president Jain Milan Dubai - UAE rendered a beautiful welcome address 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 the UAE for quite a long time.
Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Maha Swamiji along with other guests lighted the traditional lamp and inaugurated the function. Later all the guests spoke briefly highlighting the importance of community organisations 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 at the right time for the right necessity which will enable uplifting of the needy in the community.
Frank Fernandes began his speech with a fluent recitation of Vedic hymes, much to the pleasant surprise and delight of the audience. He then delivered a good speech referring to the verses in the Gita and the Epics. He concluded that people of all religions must treat each other 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 the 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 and vice-president B Bharath Hegde.
All the guests including Maha Swamiji were felicitated with shawls, garlands, mementoes and fruit baskets. Community leaders of various organisations of the Gulf, namely Satish Venkatramana, Sarvotham 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 message, calling upon members of the community to tread the path of righteousness and follow the principle of non-violence to lead a meaningful life. He spoke on some of the teachings of Lord Mahavira and their importance in the present world. He ended his speech with Shanti Mantra and blessed the audience.
Sumptuous buffet of Jain vegetarian cuisine was served to all the invitees.
The event continued with cultural programmes compered by Sandesh Jain, secretary of Jain Milan Dubai. Children of Jain community in Dubai presented graceful dances which included folk dance, patriotic dance, classical dance and music.
The programme ended late in the evening.