The Jain Vardhamana Charitable Foundation is a brainchild of Drs. Meera and Jasvant Modi, who have settled in California, USA, since 1975. Belonging to humble Jain families from the Gujarat region of the newly independent India, the two suffered their share of hardships both in India and the USA. Regardless, both thrived against all odds with their extremely understanding and supportive parents by their side. The struggles they have gone through have only made them unostentatious and resilient—it is the reason for them to be so headstrong about philanthropy.

The tragedy of 9/11 was a turning point in Dr. Jasvant Modi’s life. In his own words, “it changed my whole equilibrium”. The realization that Jain scriptures have described similar events thousands of years earlier, hit him hard and made him believe in the words of the Tirthankars even more.

For them, Jainism is more than eating certain things at a certain time; it is a broad philosophy, a state of mind and a way of living. These values command their conscience to work for the betterment of society. They have helped build Jain temples, provided essentials/education for the deprived and established studies of Jain philosophy in many educational institutes. They believe with all their might that the teachings of the Jain Tirthankars have a deeper meaning of life hidden within.