AHIMSA FOUNDATION
21, SKIPPER HOUSE, 9, PUSA ROAD, NEW DELHI -110005 , INDIA
TEL: 91- 11- 28754012, FAX: 91-11- 28754013,  Email: ahimsa@jainsamaj.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEES-AHIMSA FOUNDATION

SHRI P.L. JAIN
Trustee and Founder Chairman

Born in July, 1936, Shri Prakash Lall Jain hails from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He received B.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering and M.Tech. degree in Production Engineering, specializing in metal-working processes, production management, total quality management, electronic data processing  and computers. He has worked in industry, teaching, research and consultancy organizations for over 40 years, offering teaching and training programmes, technical know-how and consultancy services on quality management  to engineering industries. He has widely travelled abroad, particularly, Japan on engineering assignments. 

Shri Jain has been an active member of several professional bodies and Bureau of Indian Standards. He is an author of four text books for graduate and post-graduate courses on the subjects like, Metal Casting, Tool Engineering, Production Management and Total Quality Control. He has presented over 25 technical and research papers at technical and management conventions and published about 60 papers in technical journals both in India and abroad.

He has been an active member of 'Mahavir International', a society engaged in service to mankind and has been involved with various projects concerning health care and medical relief. He is also a member of 'Anuvrat Samiti', 'People for Animals' and other service organizations. He has been occupied with the study of literature on Jain Agams and carrying out studies on comparative religions. Many of his articles in Jain religion have been published in Jinwani and other religious magazines. He carries the blessings of late Acharya Shri Hastimal ji Maharaj, Acharya Shri Devendra Muni and other celebrity saints from different sects of Jain religion. He is the Founder Chairman of the Ahimsa Foundation, over-viewing and guiding the development of web portal on Jainism, by the name of www.jainsamaj.org.

 SHRI A. K. JAIN
Trustee and President

Born in 1956 is first class graduate from St. Xaviers College, University of Ranchi. He did his articles under M/s. A. F. Furgusons & Company, Bombay, the leading Chartered Accountants of India for three years. He qualified as Chartered Accountant in 1981 and worked with M/s. Ferro Alloys Corporation till 1984. In 1984, switched over to whole time profession and since then practicing as Chartered Accountant at New Delhi.

Mr. A. K. Jain has vast travelling experience nationally and internationally. He has toured South Asian Countries Including China, C.I.S. Countries, and Europe extensively.

DR. SULEKH JAIN
Trustee

Dr. Sulekh Jain was born in a religious family in Delhi. After obtaining B.S and M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in India, he went to England in 1965 where he got his Ph.D. In 1969, he moved to United States of America and has lived in several places including Berkley, California, Worcester, Massachusetts, Cincinnati, Ohio and Houston, Texas.

All along, Dr. Jain has been active in many religious and social activities within the Jain and non-Jain communities in the U.S.A and Canada. Dr. Jain is Founder / Co-Founder of several organizations and institutions in North America such as; Jain Center of Greater Boston (1973), Jain society of Houston (1981), JAIN DIGEST Magazine (1985), JAINA Library (1988), Young Jains of America (1989), Jain Center of Central Ohio at Columbus (1991), Jain Academic Foundation of North America (1994), Mahavir World Vision Inc. (1994), JAIN SPIRIT International Magazine (1999), World Council of Jain Academies (1999), JVB Preksha Meditation Center in Houston (1999) and International Summer School for Jain Academic Studies ( 2004) 

During the last 40 years, Dr. Jain has served as President of Jain Society of Houston (1982-83), Jain Center of Cincinnati/Dayton (1987-89), Jain Academic Foundation of North America (1994-98) and JVB Preksha Meditation Center Houston, (2001-2002), Vice President of Mahavir World Vision Inc , Board member of Jain Society of Houston, World Council of Jain Academies, JAIN SPIRIT International magazine and AHIMSA FOUNDATION, Mahatma Gandhi Library in Houston and Program Director of the International Summer School for Jain Studies 

He has been intimately connected with the Federation of Jain Association in North America (JAINA) since its inception in 1981. From 1985-89, he served as its Secretary. In 1989 at the biennial convention of JAINA held in Toronto, Canada, he was elected its President, which he served for 4 years till 1993. During his tenure as Secretary and President, JAINA experienced a strong growth and name recognition throughout the Jain world (North America, India and many other countries). Following are just a few highlights of the new initiatives and programs that were started in JAINA during his leadership; Established and propagated JAIN DIGEST. Created JAINA Matrimonial Information Service. Organized Scholar Visitation program. Established YJA. Initiated International Youth Participation. Created and formalized a separate YJA Convention. Established JAINA LIBRARY. Developed and preached the style and concept of a new non-Sectarian Jain Temple for North America. Created the concept of JAINA Charitable Trust. Started the Celebration of Ahimsa Day though out North America. Decentralized the workings of JAINA by establishing nearly 30 sub committees including JAINA World Community Service. This made JAINA a broad-based organization. Increased the membership of JAINA from 8 Jain Centers to nearly 50. Supported, produced and distributed 60-minute video on Jainism titled " AHIMSA". Formalized a system of regular JAINA Executive Committee meetings at various member Jain Centers through out the year including one every year at Siddhachalam. JAINA Youth Essay Competition was started during his times with JAINA. JAINA published English translations of 2 books (Jain Pratikraman and Aloyana) in addition to the re-publication of Jain Declaration on Nature. Dr. Jain established very strong links with many world Jain leaders and organizations for the growth of JAINA and its activities.

Dr. Jain has traveled extensively in India, U.K, Europe, Asia and Australia, has visited many Jain Centers in the World, met many Jain leaders, Scholars and Sadhus world over, participated in many seminars and functions and has delivered many lectures at various gatherings (Jain and Interfaith) in USA, Canada and India.

In 1990, along with other Jain world leaders, he led an U.S. Delegation to Buckingham Palace London for a meeting with H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh regarding Jain Declaration on Nature. In 1993, he participated in the Parliament of Worlds Religions in Chicago and also presented a paper there. In November 1997, he presented a paper "Jainism; a Dynamic and Living Religion" and also represented Jainism at the Inter-Religious Federation for World Peace Conference held in Washington, D.C. In July 1998, Dr. Jain organized a World Conference on Jainism and Ecology at Harvard University, which was attended by many top Jain Scholars from USA, Canada, India and U.K including Dr. L. M. Singhvi and late Dr. Nathmal Tatia. Prior to that, he had participated at 2 Conferences at Harvard University on Multi Culturalism and Pluralism and an International Seminar on Vedanta and Jainism held at Miami University where he made presentations also. In 1999, he participated in the International Seminar on Swami Umaswati and His Works held in New Delhi, India. In addition, he has also participated at several meeting on Animal Rights including the June 1996 March for Animals in Washington, D.C.

Dr Jain has authored several papers on Jainism and has provided help and guidance in the publications of at least 4 books on Jainism (Tattavartha Sutra by Dr. Nathmal Tatia, 3 books in French language; Lord Mahavira, Aspects of Jainism, The Jains today in the world) and a set of 8 pamphlets on various aspects of Jainism (published by Mahavir World vision, Inc.). In 1996 and 1997, He along with Dr. Surendra Singhvi taught a regular credit hour course in Jainism at University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. Most recently, he has been involved with improving education, teaching and Research programs in Jainology at PV RESEARCH INSTITUTE in Varanasi. He is also very active in many cultural, civic and religious organizations in Houston such as the Interfaith Dialogue, Unity Church Peace Makers Group and Interfaith Ministries of Houston

During his entire life, even though he was born in a particular Jain tradition (sect), Dr. Jain has believed, practiced, preached, propagated and supported whole heartily the concept and creation of a one unified, non sectarian, cohesive, dynamic, responsive, forward looking and visionary Jain Sangha in North America that is free from sectarianism and regionalism.

Professionally, Dr. Jain is a Mechanical Engineer with an M.Tech from IIT Kharagpur, a Ph.D. from Birmingham University (U.K) and an MBA from Clark University. He has taught Mechanical Engineering at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, University of California-Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T), Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Laval University, Quebec, Canada. 

After working at Wyman Gordon Company, Combustion Engineering and General Electric Company in various Technical and Managerial capacities for nearly 28 years, he is now the President of his own Engineering Consulting Company (MMT Solutions) in Houston Texas where he now lives. He is author/co-author of more than 50 technical papers and books and has 10 International and US Patents.

Dr.Jain married to Ravi Rani Jain who is daughter of Late Shri Mohan Lal Jain, and is blessed with son Anudeep and daughter Vandana ( both are physicians). Anudeep is married to Arti and is blessed with daughters Priyanka and Divya 

His address is; 4502 Saint Michaels Court, Sugar Land, Texas. 77479, USA. Phone # 281 494 7656. Email; scjain@earthlink.net 

DR. TANSUKH J. SALGIA
Trustee

Dr. Salgia is the founding president of Bramhi Jain Society U.S.A.; Asian American Association of the Tri-State Area, Quincy, Illinois; and Asian American Services Council of Columbus, Ohio and has served as its Director since 1994. In addition, he was a member of the board of trustees and first president of the Federation of India Community Associations of Northeast Ohio, Inc (FICA).  He is a founder and past president of the Jain Society of Greater Cleveland, and has also founded and served as president of the International Mahavira Jain Mission (Sidhhachalam).

He was the major force behind  acquiring 108 acres of land in New Jersey for the National Jain Temple and Monastery, Siddhachalam.  Dr. Salgia has also served as Chairman of the Great Lakes Regional Convention of the National Federation of Asian Indian Organizations .

Dr. Salgia is the founding member of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America, Inc.(JAINA) and has served four years as Vice President (1981 - 1985) and four years as President (1985 - 1989).  Under his leadership of JAINA, Jain Digest, a quarterly magazine, began publishing and has gained a reputation throughout the world in the Jain community .He is the founding father of the JAIN DIGEST published from U.S.Dr Salgia is also a founding member and past president of the Asian/Pacific American Federation of Greater Cleveland, which is comprises, of nine Cleveland-based Asian Communities. He is also a founding member, Director and treasurer of Mahavira World Vision, Inc.  Dr. Salgia is the founding member of the Asian American Community Service Council of Columbus, Ohio.

Among his accomplishments, Dr. Salgia has written an essay entitled "History of the Asian-Indian Community in Greater Cleveland" for the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, published by the Indiana University Press. During the past several years, he has published and edited numerous books and articles on Jainism and recently published a book entitled Jainism Nonviolence and Vegetarianism, and Chalo Jinalay Kare Bhavana, Mahaveer Vandana books of stavan and bhajans. He is a regular speaker on peace and nonviolence at local churches and other groups. Dr. Salgia was instrumental in raising needed funds to help defray the cost of the PBS documentary "Ahimsa: Nonviolence" which was released on PBS television stations across The United States in December, 1987.

In  1990 Dr. Salgia, his two son's Anup and Amar and many youths and adults from Jain Center of St. Louis and from Chicago area jains were instrumental in crystallizing the idea for the formation of Young Jains of America (YJA).On May 22,2001 Dr. Salgia Participated in a history making Jain prayer in the United Stares House of Representative (Congress). On September 19, 2001 Dr Salgia organized Jain prayer in the Ohio Senate and spoke about Jain value of peace and non-violence and the tragedy took place in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

In 1997 at the 9th biennial convention of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), Dr. Salgia was honored for his services to the Jain community and awarded him the title of "JAINA RATNA" (Jewel of Jain Community) in Toronto, Canada. In 1999 Dr. Salgia co-founded an international Quarterly publication "Jain Spirit magazine" which has worldwide circulation where he serves as director and also coordinate North American activities for circulation and finance.

By profession ,Dr. Tansukh J. Salgia is coordinator of Internal Accounting Control Program at the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus, Ohio. Immediately preceding, he was Deputy Director/Chief Fiscal Officer at the Ohio Student Aid Commission in Columbus, Ohio (1993-1997). Dr. Salgia received an undergraduate degree in business administration from Vikram University in India, his M.B.A. from Atlanta University and his D.B.A. from Columbia Pacific University. He also attended the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors of India, The Institute of Book keepers in London, Accreditation Council of Accounting (Washington D.C.), and the Government Law College at the University of Bombay.

In 1992 Dr. Salgia was appointed by the Mayor and the Quincy City Council as commissioner to serve on Quincy Economic Development Loan Committee. Further more in years 1994 and 1995, Dr. Salgia was the co-chair for the Combined Charitable Campaign (United Way) for the Ohio Student Aid Commission in Columbus, Ohio.Dr. Salgia was instrumental in repealing a one hundred-year-old law in Illinois, which prohibited the ownership of real and personal property by aliens. Single-handedly he worked hard for almost two years until September 1992, when HB 3794 was signed into law by the Governor of Illinois.In 1996 Dr. Salgia was appointed commissioner, by the Mayor City of Columbus to serve on Columbus Area Cable Television Commission.

A citizen of the United States for over 28 years, Dr. Salgia and his wife Bharati resides in Columbus, Ohio

address & Telephone Number :1884 Dorsetshire Road , Columbus, OH 43229 , 

Tele./ Fax: (614) 899-2678,E-Mail : tsalgia@worldnet.att.net

Shri Himmat Singh Mehta
Trustee

Shri Himmat Singh S/O Shri Prem Singh Mehta was born at Bari Sadari (Mewar) in February 1921. The ancestors of Shri Mehta came from Halwad in Gujarat and assisted Jhala's in the battles as well as in administration. Mehtas loyalty continued with Jhala's since arrival from Gujarat. Shri H.S. Mehtas grandfather Mehta Rati Chand Ji was Jhalas prime minister of Bari Sadari in nineties. Shri Mehta completed his intermediate education at Maharana Bhopal College, Udaipur. In 1942, he was college union president and took part in Quit India movement as student leader on the initiative by the then Mewar Praja Mandal. For further studies Shri Mehta went to Allahabad & obtained post graduation degree from Allahbad University. While at Allahabad he got opportunity to see Indian leaders, Shri Jawaher Lal Nehru, Shri Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Shri Acharya Kreplani, Smt. Sarojani Naidue, Shri Govind Vallabh Pant etc. He got opportunity to see Nehruji several time with the help of Shri Sadik Ali Sahib who was then All India Congress Committee general secretary. In 1949-50 he joined irrigation department of Rajasthan at Jaipur as hydrologist. He retired in 1976 & before retirement his only daughter Champion Dr. Chandra Mehta expired. Dr. Chandra Mehta won more than three hundred table tennis tournaments and remained champion continuously for nine years in Rajasthan and fiver years of All India Inter Medical Table Tennis Tournament. In her memory Shri Mehta established "Dr. Chandra Mehta Public Charitable Trust". A Homeopathic Dispensary was also established where now more than on lac people are getting treatment every year and have become popular. Shri Mehta has now completed eight decades of his life. He devotes most of his time in social welfare and religious activities for the benefit and betterment of society.

SHRI VIRENDRA C. MEHTA
Trustee

Born on 30th January, 1950 at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He studied law C.A., C.S. and Personnel Management from Jodhpur, Jaipur and Delhi. Since 1973, associated with a large industrial house at New Delhi as top management executive in charge of Finance and Investments. He has  dedicated his life for the upliftment and welfare of poor, destitute and handicapped people. He is Founder Chairman of Talent Foundation of India (an organization engaged in identifying and grooming the upcoming but unrecognized talent in the society). He is also Vice-Chairman of 'Society for Welfare of Mentally Handicapped, Jaipur', which is running a well equipped school and hostel for the care and training of mentally handicapped children at Jaipur. He has been the General Secretary of 'Delhi Pradesh Marwari Sammelan, New Delhi'. He has been the Secretary General, Executive President and President of Rajasthan Mitra Parishad, New Delhi' - a highly reputed and one of the most popular organisation of Rajasthani people settled in Delhi - engaged in regular social get-togethers, cultural events, holding eye camps, blood donation camps, helping destitute and other social, charitable & welfare activities in Delhi and Rajasthan. Shri Virendra Mehta is also honorary Secretary and member of the board of Governors and Management Council of Mody Institute of Education & Research - a premier institution established for women's education on a vast are of over 250 acres of land at Lakshmangarh, Distt. Sikar, Rajasthan - having a huge campus consisting of a school, a degree college , a college for computer courses, and engineering college and a college for management studies. He has been writing and composing number of Bhajans and poems. During the Kargil war he had written several poems and published a book 'Ranbheri Phir Lalkar Rahi' to pay his homage to the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to our motherland. The book has been well received and highly appreciated by all the sections of the Society. His yet another book 'Sarva Mangal Mangalyam' is based on spiritualism and for upliftment of fast eroding religious and moral values. Doordarshan and Akashvani have been telecasting of broadcasting his poems from time to time. He has a rare and extraordinary quality to create his poems spontaneously on any situation. His poems are regularly published in many prestigious newspapers and magazines of the country. He has been participating at various 'Kavi Sammelans' at national level. Happily married with Smt. Rajkumari Mehta, a post graduate from Jodhpur. Shri Virendra Mehta has been blessed with two sons, Abhishek and Aditya.

MR. G. C. GANDHI
Trustee
Mr. G. C. Gandhi son of late Shri Man Chandji Sb. Vaidhya, (A renowned Ayurvedic Physician of Jodhpur, Rajasthan) an engineer by qualification deeply interested and promoting Jainism and Philosophy of Ahimsa.

Born, April 4, 1944, completed Engineering degree in Civil from Vidisha Engineering College, Madhya Pradesh. Served the Government of Rajasthan in irrigation department from 1968 to 2002, while in service deeply involved in famine relief activity. Supervised construction and maintenance of several irrigation dams and canals to harness the rain water for irrigation, also worked at Indira Gandhi Canal Project. After retirement from active service, involved in social activities at Bhilwara, Rajasthan. Wife Mrs. Pushplata Gandhi is Vice Principal of Bhilwara Girls College, Bhilwara, Rajasthan and also actively involved with several social and charitable organisations in Rajasthan. Contact Address : Irrigation Bungalows, Behind Session Court, Bhilwara - 311001, Rajasthan. Tel. - 231035.

Shri Jayantilal Jain
Trustee
Shri Jayantilal Jain son of Late Shri Sukh Lalji Jain was born in 1945 in Jalore, Rajasthan. He took Secondary School Education in Jodhpur, and thereafter obtained B. Pharm degree from Banaras Hindu University in the year 1966. He was associated with multinational Pharma Industry for about 35 years where he was responsible for supervising the overall manufacturing operations of various pharmaceutical dosage forms. He has put up consistent efforts to improve upon the productivity and compliance of high quality standards. Thereafter he was given the responsibility of newly constituted GMP department in Quality Assurance Division. In this role he was responsible for building up a team to conduct GMP training programmes, develop validation concept and auditing quality systems as per cGMP standards (prescribed by United States Pharma Copea).  His mother, a religious lady has been the guiding force during the childhood days when he was taught the principles of Humanity and Ahinsa. These principles made him a strong devotee of God & a staunch believer of Jainism, which made him associated with Ahimsa Foundation. He carries the blessings of Late Acharya Shri Hasti Mal Ji Maharaj, Acharya Shri Puskhar Muni Ji, Acharya Shri Devendra Muni Ji and other celebrity saints of Jain religion. Shri Jain married to Kanti Jain who is daughter of Late Shri Sumer Malji Mehta, and is blessed with sons Rahul and Vishal. Rahul is married to Neeta and is blessed with daughter Villina and son Devansh. Address : 204, Raj Vaibhav Tower, Mahavir Nagar, Dhanukar Wadi, Kandivli (W) Mumbai 400067, India
Tel : 91 22 2807 9162. Email: rjjain@vsnl.com 

DR. NARENDRA Jain
Trustee

Dr. Narendra Jain is promoter and founder of City Hospital at Jodhpur. Father Lt. Sh. Sukh Lalji Jain was always an inspiration in life and that motivated him to be always conscious of the sense of responsibility towards the society. All through his studies he had a brilliant academic record. Passed Hr. Sec. from Sardar School, a premier educational institution with distinction and a Gold Medal. During his studies, he was honoured with National Scholarship. The academic brilliance was reflected during his MBBS study and later during Master's degree in Surgery. Dr. Jain has special penchant for Plastic & Burn Surgery, a subject in which he has published several papers & represented in conferences. He is a member of National Academy of Burns, India, IMA, Association of Surgeons, India & AMPOZ, besides closely associated to social, cultural & religious group of the town. He has been awarded by State Govt. for excellent work in Family Welfare in year 84-85. Presently as a Director of City Hospital & S L Jain Research Centre he is devoted to patient care & surgical practice. Dr. Jain is associated with Ahimsa Foundation and its project www.jainsamaj.org right from the stage of conception of idea of a Jain web portal in 1997. Address: City Hospital, High Court Colony, Residency Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. 

Mr. Rajendra Jain
Trustee

Born on 1st July 1955 at Barmer, Rajasthan, Mr. Rajendra Jain graduated from Jodhpur University in science in 1976 and later took up post graduate diploma in Business Management from "Sasmira", Mumbai in 1978. Mr. Rajendra Jain has specialized in mining and application of Natural Stones (Marbles, Granite & other Stones).

For last several years he is, engaged in the exports of all types of stones, stone related machines and tools to all over the world. He has widely travelled around the world several times.

Associated with Ahimsa Foundation projects since inception. Believes in core Jain philosophy and its propagation around the world.

Address: Excel Trade, Prabha, 13, Nehru park, Jodhpur - 342003, Rajasthan, India, Tel: No. 91-291-2613927, Fax: 91-291-2433734, Email: exceltrade@email.com

Mr. Satyesh Kumar Bhandari
Trustee
Son of renowned advocate of Rajasthan and philanthropist Shri. Bhawar Lalji Bhandari,  born at Kankroli, Rajasthan (the place is known for famous Dayal shah's Rishabh dev ji's temple and Tulsi sadhna shikhar, Internationally fame). Received M.Tech degree in Applied Geophysics from IIT, Roorkee. Worked in Department of Mines and Geology as Geophysicist for a brief period before joining ONGC. Working in ONGC since 1983. Working as oil explorationist with the help of state of the art technology i.e. Interactive Interpretative Workstation and Virtual Reality Centre. ONGC has recently established VR centre at Mumbai. This is only VR centre in India. Contributed in discovery of new oil and Gas field Offshore India. Presently working for Deep water exploration programme. Presented / published numerous technical papers at various International / National Conferences. 

Hobby - writing Hindi poems. Some of the poems are available on site personal.vsnl.com/skbhandari/poems 
Telephone:91-22-27461452,E-mails: bhandarisk@vsnl.net, bhandarisk@hotmail.com .

Dr. RUPESH KUMAR POKHARNA
Trustee
Dr. Rupesh Kumar Pokharna son of Dr. D.S. Pokharna (Renowned Gastroenterologist and retired Head of the Deptt. of Gastroenterology, SMS Hospital, Jaipur ) Born on 14th Octo.1962 at Rajasthan. Dr Pokharna Received  MBBS degree from Sawai Mansingh Medical college from Jaipur in 1986. For  further studies joined SMS Medical college Jaipur, and received MD degree in  1991. Joined, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi and was awarded DM in  Gastroenterology in Dec.1995. Dr. Pokharna joined  SMS College, Jaipur as Asst. Prof. in Gastroenterology. Presently working as Head of the Deptt. Gestroentrology S P Medical College Bikaner. Deeply religious and associated with Ahimsa Foundation since the conception of project.

Address:- 154-A, Sadulganj Bikaner and at Jaipur- Ganesh Marg, Bapunagar, Jaipur - 302015 E-mail: rkpokharna2@rediffmail.com

Associated with Ahimsa Foundation and its web portal www.jainsamaj.org since beginning