Dear Friends,

With a deep sense of gratitude we wish to thank all those who braved the distance and decided to be a part of the celebrations of the Pratishtha ceremony of the first Pratima of Bhagwan Mahaveer in Australia on 5 Mar 00.

Swamy Sri Devendra Keerty Bhattarak Ji was regarded as a highly knowledgeable and a scholarly person. He was very well received and appreciated by all Canberra people of Hindu and Jain faith. His visit to Australia needed coordination through to Parshva Nath Math in India. This place is not adequately connected with modern communication facilities and getting him here was not an easy task. With months of tireless and single-handed efforts of Navin Jain of 'Sydney Jain Mandal', Swamiji's visit was made possible.

Swamiji not only touched people's heart but made the whole event a memorable one.

The event was indeed a very big project for a relatively small Jain community in Canberra and we were bolstered by our brethren in Sydney and other places. Their constant support and advice helped us in progressing this matter to a stage where we could hold this grand ceremony. Navin Jain in particular made a big contribution when he undertook to coordinate all the efforts from Syndey, Melbourne and New Castle.

Besides substantial and generous financial contribution from Navin Jain, along with Kamal Jain and Praveen Jain, a particular mention should be made of Surinder Jain and Rajesh Jain of 'Sydney Jain Mandal' who arranged to have the Lord Mahavira Pratima transported from India to Australia and then to Canberra Temple, bearing all the costs.

To preserve the memories of the event a souvenir booklet was compiled. Navin once again contributed immensely towards its contents. We would like to acknowledge the help extended by Sunil Jain of 'Sydney Jain Mandal', Mukesh Desai of New Castle and particularly Dr Rachna Jain, who contributed her ideas in designing the cover page of this publication. There are many other names not mentioned but are self acknowledged in the publication contents.

Once again we would like to convey our very sincere thanks to visitors and our guests from Sydney/ Melbourne and New Castle who participated in this historic event. The presence and enthusiasm of these visitors gave this event a profile that we will cherish for a long time.

Any event as big as this, is bound to have some shortcomings. This event was no exception. There are many shortcomings that we now know and there may be many more that we do not even know, but you people would have noticed or felt. We would like to thank you all for showing great patience in ignoring these shortcomings.

Further, It is our sincere wish that Jainism should flourish in all Regions of Australia and the Pacific, and such visible symbols of Jainism be established all over the Capital Cities of Australia.

With folded hands

Jai Jinendra.

Rakesh Jain and Ashok Jain with other members of Canberra Jain and Hindu community