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Young Jains of America at the 2023 JAINA Convention by Suryaraj Jain
From June 30 to July 3, 2023, over 150 youth (ages 13-21) gathered at the biennial JAINA Convention in Lakeland, Florida, and participated in Youth Activities. During the six months prior to the convention, the Co-Leads, Niva Ranavat, Yashvi Shah, and Aditya Singhvi, planned various activities and sessions alongside the Youth Activities Committee. Throughout the weekend, the youth deepened their understanding of Jainism while simultaneously growing their friendships to expand across the United States and, in some cases, across the world.
By following closely with the theme of this Convention, “Maximize Human Potential,” the youth explored themselves and their interests through various sessions including an engaging impromptu public speaking workshop by Yash Vardhan and Rishabh Shah, a mental health workshop with Ananya Jain, an educational career exploration panel with multiple experienced panelists, multiple Jain education sessions with Jinay Shah and Professor Cogen Bohanec, an energy-packed dance workshop led by Deesha Ajmera, and an inspiring keynote from cancer survivor and past governor candidate for the state of Maryland, Ashwani Jain.
Throughout all of these sessions, the youth were exposed to professionals with vastly different experiences, but each presentation accumulated a universal lesson. After many interpersonal interactions and great times together, the youth learned that to “Maximize Human Potential,” we must work together. Great things can happen with the effort of one person, but even greater things can happen with the efforts of many.
A small note from the organizers:
Thanks to all of the speakers who took time out of their busy schedules to give presentations to the youth and thank you to everyone who participated and helped in between sessions; we deeply appreciate your time and efforts!
Suryaraj is a Director of Publications, 2022-2023, at Young Jains of America. He is a recent graduate from George Mason University where he received his BS in Information Systems and Operations Management. He is currently working at SAP Concur as a Support Engineer and resides in Virginia.
