Jai Jinendra
“The Jain virtues of my parents still run through my veins. Their example gave me the courage to cross the oceans to uplift my family, community and share my humanity with all living beings.” – Dr. Jasvant Modi
The Vardhamana Charitable Foundation is a brainchild of Drs. Meera and Jasvant Modi, who are settled in California, USA since 1975. Belonging to humble Jain families from the Gujarat region of the newly independent India, Meera and Jasvant suffered hardships both in India and the USA. Regardless, both having extremely understanding and supportive parents, thrived against all odds. 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 haunting tragedy of 9/1 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.
What We Do
Vision
The name ‘Vardhamana’ substantiates the literal meaning, which means ‘Prosperous’. It is also a fervent and eternal homage to the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism, Mahavira who was named Vardhman at birth.
Drs. Meera and Jasvat Modi wish to spread the Jain philosophy that practices Ahimsa, Mindfulness, Respect for all living beings, and more. These learnings instilled in them is what drives their vision to see a world with no suffering, dispersing true knowledge and help to all those who need.
What we do
The Vardhamana Charitable Foundation is dedicated to helping those in need. The charity reaches out to provide food, education, the building of Jain temples, healthcare or more.
Even after all these years of giving back to society, these renowned medical practitioners and personages are determined to keep helping when it requires them to.
Jainism not only helps them steer through their own lives but also enlightens them toward others’ afflictions.
With the humility, Ahimsa and giving taught in Jainism, the Modis altruistically established the Vardhamana Charitable Foundation.
The Modis had been doing philanthropic work for a long time before founding the charitable foundation in March 2015. This charitable foundation was started to contribute to education, healthcare, religious purpose, and much more. It supports education in universities that affects many students’ lives. Vardhamana Charitable Foundation also helps in healthcare and promotes religious harmony.
Leadership
Dr. Jasvant Modi – President
The age-long tale of a middle-class newly married couple rising beyond plausible opportunities and settling in a foreign land sounds very cliche. This, although, The age-long tale of a middle-class newly married couple rising beyond plausible opportunities and settling in a foreign land sounds very cliche. This, although, is the exact truth in the case of Drs. Meera and Jasvant Modi. Dr. Jasvant Modi, the fourth of six siblings, is a well-renowned, retired gastroenterologist and a philanthropist in the USA. He went to the USA in 1975 when the only plausible thing about being in the USA was a dream about it. His hard work and brilliant mind brought him a lot of success over the years. Dr. Jasvant Modi established skilled nursing homes for long-term patient care. Besides his service in medicine, which counts over three decades, Dr. Jasvant Modi has served humanity with selfless resolve and devotion.
Dr. Jasvant Modi went on from doing MBBS in BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad to Residency at one of the best hospitals in Los Angeles, California. He first shared private practice in 1985 at Alvarado Street, LA, and soon bought his own practices and Skilled Nursing facilities like Ajit Healthcare and Costa Mesa Healthcare.
Dr. Meera Modi – Secretary
Mrs. Modi has been the beloved and ever-so-supporting life partner in the endeavor of Dr. Jasvant Modi. She was the youngest of her family, she dared to dream. In the era when India did not have more than one medical college for women, she did her MBBS at the Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi. Later, she went on to successfully practice medicine in the USA, while raising two beautiful children and supporting her husband. The couple has done altruistic work ever since their struggle period in the 1980s. Now that they have been blessed with affluence, they have established a charitable fund to further the cause and help society.
Dr. Meera Modi is one of the top Family Medicine specialists in LA, from studying MBBS at Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi to Residency at Edgewater Hospital Chicago and eventually owning private practices in Los Angeles, California, she continued on a journey of accelerated growth, all while raising two beautiful children.
Rusha -Vice President
The firstborn of the Drs. Jasvant and Meera Modi, Rusha Modi is an MD MPH, a board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology and hepatology. He graduated from Brown Medical School, Rhode Island in 2008. He received an MPH in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University in 2013. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of South California, where he explores the role of digital health and clinical informatics in chronic disease management. He is a patient learner whose approach over the years has been to protect and preserve health, while respecting the patient’s values. He seeks to administer compassionate and comprehensive care that puts to use the latest scientific evidence and also respects the art of healing.
Shruti – Treasurer
The second born of the Modis, Shruti is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). She joined City Year in San Housie in 2010, to teach underprivileged children. She also went to Pepperdine University, Malibu in 2011, for her graduation in public policy. She is a lawyer by profession and has a degree in Law from American University for law school and worked for the Food and Drug Administration post her master in Law. Now, she is serving as Assistant Ombudsman at CBER (detail) at FDA.
