Youth Groups Abroad

Members of the American Youth Group

Wherever you go, remember Me in everything you do. This connection will always keep you elevated.

The significance of religion and identifying with its beliefs is far more complex for the youth, born and raised abroad. The perception of religion is dogmatic and difficult to practise whilst the purpose even redundant. The incompetency of society at large and parents to provide appropriate answers to questions regarding religion posed by the youth, the prevailing material culture, exposure and peer pressures have effectively contributed to the erosion of values and the need for religion. At times like these, Pujyashri Gurudev is inspiring and drawing an increasing number of youth to embrace spirituality, lovingly and enthusiastically.

Pujyashri Gurudev has brought about a remarkable
change; not through coercion or blind faith but by means
of practical rationalisation and understanding, not
through imposition of rituals but a transformation within.

The growing number of youth involved has led to the association of Youth Groups in USA, Canada, UK, Dubai and Muscat to facilitate their spiritual activities.

The American Youth Group is unique in many ways. It is a diverse mix of people, consisting of American-born Indians as well as Caucasians from Chile, Germany and all over the world, who form 20% of the group. The members are from across the USA; New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlottesville, Austin, Phoenix, San Diego etc. Although Group meetings are not a practical possibility because of the physical distance, members remain connected through 'BAPAbook', a social networking website created for members to share experiences, engage in discussions and keep up the Group spirit. They avail the benefit of Pujyashri Gurudev's presence during His dharmayatras to North America twice a year, and also on their visits to India. They also organise two retreats a year.

Canada has an active Youth Group as well as a Study Group. The Canada Youth Group members follow a spiritual discipline, which involves doing one of the three levels of nityakram (daily prayers), meditation and weekly swadhyay (spiritual reading) as per a predefined schedule. They meet once every month. The meetings generally consist of bhakti, meditation, discussion on swadhyay book, watching the video of recent events of Pujyashri Gurudev. The Canada Study Group also gathers once a month and delve within by hearing Pujyashri Gurudev‘s pravachans. They focus on enriching life through sessions on various Jain principles, introspection along with anger management, parenting, etc. Apart from this, they also actively participate in organising various activities during Pujyashri Gurudev’s dharmayatra to Canada.

UK also has two groups that function in London itself, the UK Youth Group and the UK Study Group. Members within a group usually meet fortnightly and watch videos of Pujyashri Gurudev's pravachans and Mission activities, hold discussions on the week's spiritual reading and meditate together. The youth is also involved in Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch, other humanitarian and jivadaya activities and seva during Pujyashri Gurudev's dharmayatras.

The Dubai Youth Group comprises of youngsters who meet once every fortnight. Here they spend enriching moments in divine connection through various means. They watch videos of Pujyashri Gurudev’s pravachans or an elevating video on the recent events of the Mission or they read and discuss an inspiring spiritual book and so on.

The Muscat Youth Group members kindle their divine romance by gathering once every month. They get together and watch the videos of the spiritually elevating group meetings of Pujyashri Gurudev.

With the vision and guidance of Pujyashri Gurudev, the International Youth Groups herald the arrival of a great revolution in the youth abroad.

For more information on International Youth Groups and how to join one, please contact the following Group Coordinators:

Youth Groups Contact

Sr.No.	Group	Coordinator	Contact Details	Time
1	American	Satya Kamdar	Tel: +1-678-898-6747 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (EST)
2	Canada - Youth	Nisha Shanghavi	Tel: +1-416-505-9982 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (EST)
3	Canada - Study	Mukesh Shanghavi	Tel: +1-905-553-8295 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (EST)
4	UK - Youth	Bhavik Udani	Tel: +44-7751-604333 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
5	UK - Study	Ashwin Mehta	Tel: +44-7766-852950 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
6	Dubai	Mihir Ashar	Tel: +971-567-249323 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
7	Muscat	Jigar Shah	Tel: +968-9805-3303 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.