Varias of Kentucky, USA

Summary

"Dr. Chandra Varia, a gynecologist from a Jain family in Jamnagar, and Dr. Mahendra Varia, a veterinarian originally from Karachi, chose to settle in the remote Appalachian town of Martin, Kentucky, in 1979. Despite professional opportunities elsewhere, they embraced this small coal-mining community of 700, adapting their Jain vegetarian lifestyle to local foods like cornbread and beans. A) Medical and Social Contributions i) Dr. Chandra Varia worked at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, a 39-bed Catholic-run facility, and established a monthly free clinic for the underprivileged, where no patient was turned away even when capacity was exceeded. ii) She gained widespread recognition for her compassionate and culturally sensitive care, notably diagnosing and treating complex gynecological issues like endometriosis in underserved patients such as Deloise Belvins. iii) The Belvins family, moved by the care they received, honored Dr. Varia by placing an image of Lord Mahāvīra beside a Christian crucifix in their home—a symbol of interfaith respect. B) Veterinary and Civic Engagement i) Dr. Mahendra Varia founded a veterinary clinic in Martin, serving with equal compassion. Guided by Jain principles of non-violence and animal welfare, he was dubbed a “man on a mission.” ii) He actively engaged in local civic and educational efforts, serving on boards of the Mountain Christian Academy, a community college, and a floodplain task force. C) Spiritual and Charitable Initiatives i)Following heart surgery in 1996, the Varias organized a 24-hour interfaith prayer vigil attended by Jains and non-Jains from multiple states. At its conclusion, they donated $20,000 to Prestonsburg Community College. ii) Earlier, they had established a $25,000 scholarship fund for children delivered by Dr. Chandra and contributed $100,000 to support single mothers through local college programs. D) Practice of Jain Principles i) The Varias strictly observe Jain tenets—non-violence, minimalism, charity, and self-discipline—in all aspects of life. ii) Their lifestyle includes non-consumption of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and even protecting insects from harm. iii) Their actions inspired non-Jains like Dr. Dicky Tackett, a local dentist, who attended their prayer vigil and adopted Jain-inspired values like charity and discipline. E) Recognition and Global Philanthropy i) The Varias’ philanthropic impact extends globally: a) Donations to Netra Chikitsalaya (Virāyatan), Bihar. b) Financial support during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. c) Contributions to The Jain Spirit (UK), JAINA (North America), Jain Society of Greater Chicago, and Jinamañjarī, among others.\