Humanitarian Services- Blog #2

In the last blog I covered humanitarian services provided by Mr. Ramesh Shah and his wife Dr. Jaya Shah. Here I am going to cover different kinds of services provided by another distinguished individual Dr. Natubhai Shah (also known as Dr. N.K. Shah) from London, U.K. I have known Dr. Shah since my childhood. He happens to be my wife Kanta’s cousin brother.

Let me give you some background information about Dr. Shah (here after referred to as Shah). He practiced general medicine in India from 1957 to 1968 and in Leicester UK from 1968 to 1996. He retired in 1996 and moved to London to devote full time to promote Jain Religion, and bring Jain awareness and its values to the Western World. Before moving to London he left his mark in Leister by establishing a Jain Center, Jain Museum and a Jain Academy. Jain Center was the first of its kind in the Western World. Jain Center is a symbol of unity, has traditional architecture, museum and community facility that it is open to all. Shah found a creative way to get support from local community, a substantial grant from U.K. Government and support from Jains all over the World.

The center has become a place of pilgrimage for Jains, a major tourist attraction for the City of Leister and has been visited by many tourists and dignitaries, including the British Prime Minister John Major. The wider community also benefits from this Center as an educational and tourist resource.

After retirement Shah got his PhD in Jainism. Shah is the author of 2 outstanding volumes on Jainism. He has also written sections of Jainism in the Readers Digest World Religions, in the Times Encyclopedia of World Religions, and in the Philips Hand Book of World Religions. . He is also the Fellow in Jain Studies at University of Birmingham and School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He is the main force to start the Department of Jain Studies in Mumbai University and Faculty of Comparative Religions in Antwerp, Belgium.

He is recipient of many honors: in 1987 Vice president of India gave him an award in Delhi on behalf of Jain Mahasabha and in 2001 the Prime Minister of India awarded him the highest Jain award the ‘Jain Ratna’ for contribution in promoting Jain religion. He has been frequently invited at Buckingham Palace, including a private luncheon with the Queen in 2000. In 1990 he was honored as ‘An International Leader in Achievement’ by the Biographical Centre Cambridge UK and in 1991 was chosen as the ‘Man of the Year’ by the American Biographical Institute.

Apart from his community and academic activities he has involved himself in humanitarian activities to promote the Quality of Life and Human Dignity for the people. His main humanitarian works are very visible in Bihar and Gujarat India.

Over and above his outstanding achievements, one thing he has not lost is his focus on involving young people in each any every activity he gets involved in. In Leister Temple he added museum to educate and involve young people. It is very clear to him that youth of today and tomorrow is the only one who is going to carry on our message for the years to come. Addition of museum was also instrumental in securing grant from U.K. Government.

At present he is deeply involved in promoting a multi faith facility which will include separate worshiping areas for people of different religions. The facility will also include restaurants and entertainment facilities to attract youngsters. Shah is working on this concept to bring to a reality right in the middle of London. He has researched ways of acquiring government grant and subsidy from the developers.

Shah knows that nothing comes easy. He is working day and night to help youngsters from all walks of life. Even though his focus is on promoting Jain Religion, he never loses sight of helping people of all casts, creed, color or gender. He believes in the philosophy ‘the charity starts at home’ and always donates generously to whichever project he starts. He is the rare individual who is a leading community worker, academic and philanthropist

If you desire to start any humanitarian service, I am certain that Shah may be able to guide you in the right direction. Do not procrastinate. Pick out any area you can provide services in, and get the full satisfaction in providing services to a mankind.

My future blogs will cover the humanitarian services provided by the following individuals. They are not listed in any particular order.

1. Dr. Ashwin Pandya and his deceased wife Dr. Anjuben Pandya

2. Group of doctors who started health-fair and are providing free consultation services, to the people of all communities, at a pre-determined time during summer months

3. Dr. Rajanibhai Shah who built, a One of a kind, Jain Temple and a community facility in Queens, NY (one of the five boroughs of New York City).

4. Mr. U.N. Mehta, founder of world famous “Torrent Pharmaceuticals” and various other industries in Ahmadabad, India.

If you know about other such individuals please let me know. Before you mention their name make sure they have helped thousands of people with their dedicated service. Please make sure your introduction is very short. Do not send any attachments. My telephone number is 516-705-8758. Address of this blog is nickshahblog.blogspot.com and my email address is nick.m.shah@gmail.com

Dr. N.K. Shah could be contacted at: natubhaishah@aol.co.uk