Dr Sulekh Chand Jain
Past President
Federation of Jain Associations in North America, (JAINA) | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Janam Bhumi:
Haryana, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Haryana, India
Karma Bhumi:
United States
The Cultural Volunteer Without Borders
The ‘Dr Sulekh’ Factor: “Every right decision you make takes you one step closer to your destiny.”
THE MAN
He dreamt of becoming a ‘Patwari’ (petty revenue officer) when he grew up, as that was the highest aspiration one could have in the village where Dr Sulekh Chand Jain was born in 1937. But ‘Man proposes, God disposes’. The young village boy would be more than just a revenue officer. Dr Jain’s parents, Chatersain, a small-time trader, and Parmeshwari Devi, “were uneducated people with small needs,” who taught their three children that morals and ethics were the building blocks of one’s character along with education.
In order to make education more accessible to their children, the family moved to Ganaur Mandi, five miles from their village in Haryana. “I completed my education up to the eighth standard in a middle school in Ganaur Mandi,” he recalls. “Since it was the pre- and post-partition era, the medium of instruction was Urdu — a language I remain fluent in to this day.”
After the partition, his family moved to Delhi to recover from business losses. Jain was a hardworking student, who excelled in the statewide examination after middle school, earning a scholarship. But he knew English would be the medium of instruction in high school, he took a year off to learn the language. He then joined a reputed Jain high school in old Delhi On his first day to school, Dr Jain wore a traditional attire, a ‘dhoti’ (wraparound garment), ‘kurta’ (tunic), and a Gandhi ‘topi’ (cap), which drew curious looks from teachers and students alike – that was until he topped the class. The ‘rustic’ village boy was now the subject of admiration among his peers and teachers.
Through the years, nothing much has changed for Dr Jain, who remains a simple, satisfied, and accomplished man in a global village.
THE JOURNEY
As we look beyond limited horizons, so do our aspirations evolve. Dr Jain’s goal pivoted from becoming a revenue officer to becoming an engineer. Given the demand for skilled resources in independent India, the prospects were bright for engineers. Dr Jain earned his BSc in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 from Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh. Though he had multiple government job offers, he joined the Premier Automobiles Company in Bombay and worked there for nearly 10 months. The urge to study further led him to pursue an M. Tech in Manufacturing Engineering at IIT Kharagpur,” he says. “It offered fellowship and good money.”
After completing his master’s degree and a short stint at Delhi Cloth Mills as an engineer, Dr Jain began as a Reader (Associate Professor) at the same college in Chandigarh where he did his BSc. Then, the Indian government offered him a fellowship at the University of Birmingham in the UK in 1966. Here, he completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 1969 and was also appointed as a faculty member. Dr Jain then received the next offer for a postdoctoral position from the University of California, Berkeley, which he took six months to decide on. He moved to the US in 1969, which has now become his permanent hangar. After completing his academic journey, he joined a distinguished aerospace parts manufacturer, Wyman Gordon Company, in Massachusetts, as a Senior Research Engineer. “I worked there for over a decade, followed by three years at Combustion Engineering, a petroleum oil tool manufacturing company, in Houston, Texas. I then joined General Electric’s Aerospace Jet Engine division in Ohio, where I remained for 15 years before retiring in 1998.”
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Dr Jain’s singular focus is on raising awareness of Jainism and its values. He says, “Jainism in academia was unknown in the US, and we needed to close that gap. I have devoted myself to establishing Jain academies and educational institutions.”
To train educators and scholars in Jainism, he co-founded International School for Jain Studies (ISJS) in 2005. So far, over 1,200 scholars from nearly 25 countries and 40 Universities have attended ISJS programmes. Over time, ISJS became a gamechanger for Jainism education in academia.
He adds, “There are nearly 55 universities (with endowed Chairs, Professorships and other programmes in Jainism) across 12 countries, with California State University in Fresno being the only one so far offering joint Jain and Hindu studies.”
He co-founded the Jain Center of Greater Boston in 1974 and later helped establish centres in Houston and other cities. Later, he also became the president of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) in 1989, being the only member elected for two terms. In 2009, JAINA gave him the highest JAINA Ratana Award. Committed to the cause, Dr Jain has authored three books and many papers on Jainism and related topics.
Dr Jain’s philanthropy is anchored in three principles. “First, erase sectarian lines and collaborate widely. Second, treat every donated dollar as sacred — never betray trust. Third, if you have enough, share the rest. My education and journey were subsidised, so giving back is my duty.”
THE LEGACY
Dr Jain has been married to Ravi Rani, his “lifelong boss”, for 64 years and proudly credits his education as the reason that he found her. “The principal of the secondary School in Old Delhi, where I studied, chose me for his daughter, and we were married in 1961. It was my education that gave me the right life partner,” he laughs. The couple has two children: son Anudeep, a radiologist, who is married to Aarthi Jain, an anaesthesiologist, with two daughters — Priyanka and Divya. His daughter Vandana, a retired radiation oncologist, lives with her parents.
When Dr Jain retired, it was because he had earned enough, and his children were leading successful lives. Since then, he has dedicated himself to the spiritual education of not just the Jain community, but also beyond it. Once, he engineered aerospace manufacturing technology, but now, he works to build firm foundations for a cultural ecosystem that teaches non-violence, truth, and empathy. Dr Jain describes himself the best. “I don’t hold titles; I am a volunteer.”
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“When I think of Bharat as a child, I remember a nation fighting for independence yet rooted in its values. Life was simple, people content, and integrity guided every action. We had little, but there was warmth, sharing, and belonging. Today, Bharat stands transformed — educated, confident, and globally respected.”a
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“When I left the country, I carried my Jain and Bharatiya values of vegetarianism (now veganism), honesty, integrity, respect, non-violence, and service. These became my foundation wherever I went. Even today, people abroad sense a calm or compassion and ask where it comes from. I tell them — this is Bharat: living with purpose and kindness. No matter where we are, our values hold us together.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“I see the younger generation, including my children and grandchildren, shaping a new Bharatiya identity. They may speak English or celebrate differently yet remain connected to India’s spirit. It makes me proud to see them blending tradition with modernity — taking pride in yoga, vegetarianism, Indian customs, celebrations, cuisine, and Indian art while excelling globally. They are true global citizens with Indian souls.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“Whenever I see India’s progress in science, education, or global leadership, I feel immense pride. But what moves me more is how ordinary Indians still help others. Actual progress is not just economic growth — it’s preserving compassion, integrity, and the joy of giving that make Bharat great.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“My dream for India is simple. Rise to the top with no division. To the youth, I will urge them to never forget their roots. Learn from the world, but remember your strength lies in values. I wish to see a generation that leads with empathy, builds with innovation, and serves with humility, carrying Bharat’s timeless spirit forward.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
Food was simple — fresh, homemade, and shared; taste never needed money.
NOW
I enjoy many cuisines, but nothing equals pure home-style meals.
Sport Spirit
THEN
I played ‘kabaddi’ and ‘gilli danda’ — games requiring only friends and energy.
NOW
I no longer play but still cheer with the same excitement.
Music Tastes
THEN
We sang popular tunes together or listened on the radio (a rare thing now).
NOW
I enjoy devotional, old Hindi tunes — peaceful companions.
Holiday Life
THEN
Summers meant Delhi heat and endless card games with friends.
NOW
Holidays are for travel, family, and quiet recharge.
Leisure Habits
THEN
Leisure meant chatting or sitting under a tree at dusk.
NOW
It’s reading, reflection, writing and meditation — enjoying solitude.
AKA
Founder/Co-Founder of Jain Society of Houston, JAIN DIGEST | Sulekh Jain JAINA | Dr Jain JAINA USA | Jain Leader Sulekh Chand Jain
