Jai Jinendra!

            We cordially invite you to attend the KOJAIN Sammelan-2000 sponsored by the Northeast region of KOJAIN. We have a very good response so far (see registration list). We have an excellent facility at the Hilton Cherry Hill wherein we can accommodate up to 1000 attendees. Therefore, we earnestly urge you to register by filling out the attached registration form and mail it to Mangal Shah at the given address.

Your active participation is very vital to the Sammelan’s success. Your cooperation and participation in cultural program, youth activities, photography, souvenir articles, marriage bureau etc. will be appreciated. Your suggestions, support and comments are always welcome.

The registration charges are less than the cost per head. Therefore, I will urge you to help us by sponsoring Dinner, Lunch or Breakfast and also advertise in our souvenir.

One of the objective of this Sammelan is to get our youths involved in our culture, art, religion and heritage and it is encouraging to note that a large number of youths have registered to participate in this sammelan. We invite other youths to register and be part of this Sammelan.

DROUGHT: One of the worst droughts and famines looms large in several parts of Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kachchh, Rajasthan etc. with the

advancing summer and the failure of the monsoon last year.

All sources of water are said to be dried up and people face acute shortage of drinking water. Those living in towns are getting water once in two or three days. Livestock population had either perished or was dying due to lack of fodder and water.

By and large, you all are aware about the drought situation, which may continue for sometime. Therefore, KOJAIN is launching a drought relief fund and on behalf of KOJAIN, I appeal to you to contribute generously to this worthy cause. Please have your check payable to KOJAIN and send it to Mangal Shah and please indicate ‘Drought Relief Fund’ on the check

New Board Members Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all our community members for electing the Board of Directors of KOJAIN for the period January 2000 to December 2001. We are looking forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. We are sure that with your cooperation, we will be able to achieve our goals. We still do not have regional director in eight geographical areas and we urge our members from those areas to come forward and take part in KOJAIN’s activities by becoming a Board member.

Once again, thanks for your cooperation and look forward to see you at the Sammelan.

Sincerely,
Tansukh Maru
President, KOJAIN

Creative Problem Solving Competition

Purpose: This competition is designed to increase the knowledge and awareness of our ancestor's homeland, Kachchh, in the state of Gujarat in India. At the same time it will create interest in ecology, nature and today's world problems. The water problem of Kachchh today could be the water problem of modern world in not too far distant future. The process itself will challenge your problem solving skills, creativity and analytical abilities.

Problem:  You have heard and read about shortage of water and frequent droughts in Kachchh. The problem has caused drastic changes in ecology, economy and social conditions. On one hand you see rich culture, colorful folk art and on the other hand poverty, malnutrition, and barren land. In your essay you are required to design and describe a solution or solutions to this problem utilizing modern technology

Rules: Everyone is encouraged to participate. We will have three age groups.1) Six to ten, 2) ten to sixteen, and 3) sixteen and up. A winner essay in each group will be selected.

Each essay should be minimum of 500 words and maximum of 1000 words. Additional illustrations and art is encouraged. For younger group, parents help is also encouraged. All the entries should be typed form and postmarked by June 20th at the following address:

Vimla Chheda
27 Fair Oak Drive
Easton, CT. 06612

(Please do not write your name on the essay itself, write on the covering letter. Also, you don't have to be present at convention to participate in this competition. All the essays will be displayed at the convention along with any artwork you may submit.)

Mentors for this problem solving are Amar Gala (203-239-3597) and Monica Chheda (203-372-4958). Their email address are shivaag@aol.com and mchheda@aol.com respectively.

To support your approach and conclusions, you may want to examine one or more of the following topics. Also few drought related articles are posted on the web pages, KOJAIN.com and KOJAIN@egroup.com

1.  Geography of Kachchh.
2.  Changes in geographical conditions with time.
3.  Water table in Kachchh. Deep-well drilling.
4.  Proximity to ocean.
5.  Present industry of Kachchh and change in industry with time.
6. Traditional versus the modern farming practices.
7.  Population changes in Kachchh.
8.  Economic condition.
9.  Alternative resources.
10. Solutions employed by other areas of the world with conditions similar to Kachchh. ( i.e. Israel )

The resources:

Articles placed on Kojain.com web page and KOJAIN@egroups.com 1993 special issue of National Geographic on waterSamachar.com,

Vivekanand Institute etc.

Besides the essay, we will have group problem solving session on Saturday during the KOJAIN sammelan at Cherry Hill. Rajesh Sethia, Mulchand Gala, Ami Shah, Anand Kenia, Nilay Shah, Dami Rambhia, Usha Maru and Ramesh Dedhia will be working with Amar and Monica and they will be assisting anyone who might need help. Usha Maru will be the moderator for the discussion.

Registration Form

KOJAIN Sammelan 2000
July 28-30,  2000
Hilton Cherry Hill
Route 70 at Cuthbert Boulevard Cherry Hill,
New Jersey 08002
Phone: (856) 665-6666

Name_______________________________
Profession/Business ___________________
Spouse______________________________
Profession/Business ___________________
Address _____________________________
City_______________ ST __ ZIP ________
Phone: Residence _____________________
Business ____________________________
email: ______________________________

Name and age of other family members attending Sammelan.

1._______________________  Age_______
2. ______________________   Age _______
3._______________________  Age_______
4. _______________________ Age _______

Registration Fee:  Rates are per person for KOJAIN members and their family.  It includes dinner on Friday, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner on Saturday, and Brunch on Sunday, participation in all programs and use of Hilton facility.

Please make your check payable to: “KOJAIN Sammelan” and mail to Mangal

1.      Shah, 22 Beau street, Norwalk, CT 06850.  Confirmation, food passes, registration material and program details will be sent by July 15, 2000.

2. Nonmembers will be charged an additional $30 per family. Membership forms are available on our website: “KOJAIN.com.”
3. 50% refund can be claimed up to June 30^th 2000.
4. The last of registration is July 15, 2000.
5. Organizers are not responsible for loss, injury or damage of any kind to registrant or guest.
6. Food will be catered by “The Palace banquet & catering center” of Mercerville, NJ. We have arranged for the Jain food. Please advise us of your preference by July 15^th or with the registration form.

7.      Students and families with financial hardship for Sammelan registration may contact the conveners.

8. This registration form is also available on our website: “KOJAIN.com.”
9. Accommodation is the responsibility of registrant. A list of nearby motels is available on our website.

The following children will participate in the Sammelan2000 as of May 2000.

Hotel Accommodation:

We have reserved a block of rooms for the Sammelan2000.at Hilton Hotel and Hampton Inn. The details are given below:

Room Rate at Hilton: $99 + tax
Call: (856) 665-6666
Room rate at Hampton: $85 + tax
Call (856) 346-4500

The reservation must be made by June 30^th 2000. After that date, reservation will be accepted on a space available basis. Each registrant is responsible for making their own hotel reservation. When making your reservation, indicate room reservation is for “KCT” at Hampton and “KOJAIN” at Hilton.

Contact Rajesh Chheda (609) 768-4442 if you need any help.