GUWAHATI, Jan 17 - Governor PB Acharya today appealed to the Jain community, which is known for their nonviolent way of living, to teach the lesson of non-violence for the betterment of mankind as a whole and to stem the ongoing violence in India�s northeastern region.
Acharya said this while inaugurating the Panchakalyanak Pratistha Mahotsav at Neminath Nagar in the Fancy Bazar area here, stated a press release. He said the ideals of Jainism and their way of living can go a long way in solving the problems of India�s Northeast that has remained violent for different reasons for the last several decades.
The seven-day-long Sri Panchakalyanak Pratistha Mahotsav is being organized by the Digambar Jain Panchayat, Guwahati to mark the diamond jubilee celebration of the Sri Digambar Jain Temple at Fancy Bazar. The first Panchakalyanak was organized in the temple in 1965.
Thousands of people have thronged Neminath Nagar from different parts of the country to take part in the holy celebrations, which was also graced by Digambar Jain Saint Sri 108 Punyasagarji Maharaj. Hundreds of women of the community took part in the kalash procession or ghat yatra traversing some areas of the city before entering the holy Neminath Nagar.
�If one wants to learn on how to live life, one should learn this from the Jain saints. The Jains have never used a sword to spread their religion, but have created a unique identity by walking on the path of nonviolence,� said the Governor.
�The Jain community has the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. Despite being businessmen, the Jains have also become soldiers of nonviolence across the country. They always do punya (holy) works. My appeal to you is that please contribute towards finding out the reasons behind the violence in the Northeast and to solve it,� he said.
The Governor also appreciated the Jain community for their service towards the people and mankind and said that the community has been able to serve the nation through its service to the mankind.
Lok Sabha MP from Guwahati Bijoya Chakravarty also visited the Mahotsav on Sunday afternoon. The evening programmes included a kavi sammelan and exhibitions on different themes.
