Jain Americans celebrate Mahavir Jayanti at Indian Consulate NY

In collaboration with the Jain International Trade Organization – USA (JITO USA) and the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), the Indian Consulate General in New York recently sponsored celebrations for Mahavir Jayanti, the 2621st anniversary of Lord Mahavir’s birth.
About 200 people showed out for the event, which was held as part of India’s year-long celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of India’s independence). The ceremony was attended by representatives from the government, including former congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, NYS assemblyman David Weprin, chief of staff David Sprea, deputy commissioner of external affairs Miosotis Munoz, and Democratic district leader Gurdip Singh Narula. Gregory W. Meeks, a congressman, conveyed his warmest wishes via video greeting.
The International Ahimsa Foundation presented the “Ahimsa Award” to four people for their outstanding services to society on the occasion. Dr. Ashok Shaha, MD, chair of head and neck surgery and oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Arvind Vora, chair of the JAINA Interfaith Committee and Shanti Fund of Long Island, Sweta Jain, founder and president of Goshwara, Luxury Designer Jewelry, and Kavita Bafana, cofounder of Little Ustaads Music and Namaste Book Series, were among those recognized.
Each recipient was congratulated and given an NYS Assembly Proclamation by Dr. Varun Jeph, Dr. Ravi Goyal, Dr. Neeta Jain, Vice President Amarjyoti Jain of the Ahmisa Foundation, and Chair Rajeev Pandya of the Advisory Board.