JVB Gyanshala’s 1st Annual Magazine Inaugurated by Mayor Annise Parker

By Seema Jain

HOUSTON: “Religion beyond dogmas, Spirituality without religion, and including the call for a Universal religion ofCompassion" are a true testament to his Spiritual strength.” – Acharya Tulsi

JVB  Preksha  Meditation  Center  under  the  auspicious  presence and inspiration of Samani Sanmati Pragyaji and Samani  Jayant  Pragyaji  (Disciples  of  Acharya  ShriMahashraman),  proudly  hosted  honorable  Houston  Mayor, Annise Parker  on  Sunday,  December  14, for the inauguration  of  its  first Annual Gyanshala Children  Magazine “Connect:  Basics and  Beyond”; and “Tulsi Commemoration Volumes” on the occasion of H. H. Acharya Shri Tulsi Birth Centenary global celebrations. About 150 community members came by and large to celebrate this milestone with the Mayor.

 The Mayor was greeted by enthusiastic Gyanshala kids along with Board and EC members upon arrival. In her speech, she congratulated everyone on the Centennial Birth of Acharya Tulsi, and expressed her desire to know more about JVB Community and acknowledge the work of our young Gyanshala Students, who are our future leaders, and was quite amazed by their articles based on the principles of Anuvrat (truth),  non-violence,  non-possession,  and  non-stealing,  and wished  them  a  bright  future  ahead. The members of JVB youth council presented the prestigious Volumes to the Mayor for inauguration. To honor this occasion, the Mayor made a proclamation stating the Birth Date of Acharya Tulsi,  October 20 as “Acharya Tulsi Day”,  so worthy of the  cause.  He is known worldwide as one of the  greatest Acharya’s  of  Jain  Tradition  and  a  man  of  splendor  personality,  Humanitarian  Saint  and  a  great visionary. He opened hundreds of schools, started different vocational courses, numerous colleges, and a University as well. Jain Vishwa Bharati is one of them.

Reverend Samani Sanmati Pragyaji admired Mayor Parker’s distinguished career, explained how Acharya Tulsi’s teachings are showing the path of peace to the world and praised active committee members for their untiring  efforts  and  support.  The  Emcee  of  the  event, Pramod Bengani  acknowledged all  the prominent  guests  from  different Indian  communities and  media who  joined for  this  event. Swatantra Jain, the Chairman  of  JVB center  delivered a  Welcome  Speech.  All  the Gyanshala kids paid their tribute by saying the Gyanshala pledge collectively. A special memento was presented to Mayor to earmark her short stay. The program ended with a thank you speech delivered by JVB’s President Nikhil  Jain  who  extended  his  warmest  regards  to  everyone  present  at  the  event. Special  thanks to Hasuji Patel and Ila Patel for their exceptional effort to invite the Mayor and making this a gala event.

At JVB’s Gyanshala, we value our intellectual capital, and nurture it through a perfect blend, of the traditional as well as contemporary ways and means, for the comprehensive development, of the kids personality. JVB Gyanshala Magazine truly captures the thoughts and creativity of its young students.

The JVB Preksha Meditation Center envisions a blissful  and peaceful society through Yoga,  Preksha Meditation and Education of Non-violence. It conducts weekly Mediation, Yoga and Swadhyay sessions and runs special events and programs like iChoose and Meditation Camps.  Its open to all and every session or event is free of charge to its attendees.

For further information visit www.jvbhouston.org  or call at 281.596.9642.