04.02.2012 ►Amet ►Marble Business, Streetviews, Higher Reality

2012 Karuna's Mewar Tour

This last full day in Amet was characterised by many components of life. In the morning Mr. Sanjay Jain invited me to visit his marble company near Amet. Sanjay was the one who had organized the taxi for me, mainly the driver Jagdish who was so well versed with the traffic situation in the area and who had asked his English-speaking friend Manish to accompany us. Mr. Sanjay had well noticed my interest for marble, and I voluntarily agreed to come.

This was another occasion for photos, and the sunny weather provided the optimal light conditions. An area of pure white marble has its attraction, mainly when the sunlight is reflected to its double brilliance by it.

There were some areas where marble from all over the world was stored. One of the workers took me around and explained the details. He explained to me that these machines are so expensive that it is less costly for marble producers in Italy, Israel or Australia to pay shipment and further transport to Amet than to buy the machines. Furthermore qualified skilled workers to handle machines and marble are available in this region. No wonder that many of my Amet friends were in the marble business.

Before Mr. Sanjay brought me back to Amet we had tea together and a nice talk. In the afternoon I wanted to go for Guru Darshan and to visit the saints again. On my way to Terapanth Bhavan I met many nice people in the streets of Amet who all were happy when I took their photos. Some of the shops remembered me those of my childhood. It had taken about two decades until they had vanished. I suppose the development now is much faster.

When I arrived at Terapanth Bhavan I was directed to the hall where HH Acharya Mahashraman used to give his lectures. The atmosphere had changed. Acharya Mahashraman had another look in his eyes than usual. I looked around and saw Samani Nirmal Pragya ji in the gathering. When I approached her and asked if something special was going on, she nodded and murmured, “My in worldly terms father had passed away some hours ago.” Now I understood. The people near Acharya Mahashraman were the relatives who had brought the news to the Sangh.

Acharya Mahashraman had given a speech full of compassion at this occasion when I entered the hall. As usual I did not understand the language, but the sound of his voice and the expression in his eyes were very clear. There was so much what French philosopher Albert Camus called the solidarity of men in front of death in his attitude that all in the hall felt consoled. Samani Nirmal Pragya had an admirable discipline. She found solace in her spiritual home and by her spiritual Guru. And so did all in the hall.

I left the hall and went to the place where Sadhvi Pramukha and the nuns were accommodated. I met two Sadhvis, and fortunately also Sadhvi Mimansa Prabha ji. She told me how happy she feels, and that she is looking forward to her service as Sadhvi. With these happy vibrations I went home.

Cutting of marble Polishing Watering and fine cutting Elevating mechanism for marble blocks Workers controlling the process Mr. Sanjay Jain and one of his workers Watering of plates Motorblock Mr. Sanjay Jain Karuna Jain Blocks Lifting device View on the area Catch bassin for water circulation Marble powder Storage of plates after fine cutting Transport of fine cutted plates Plates after fine cut Watering while cutting Hard work sometimes needs a break Pure white marble plates ready for transport to customer Mottled marble Mr. Sanjay Jain Medical store Family business Laundress Housewares At the mercer Looking for new Sari Accompanying mama to mercer Mother and daughter 3 ladies go shopping Hat on - and photo! ...you also must be in the picture, at least in one... Transport business Ladies in front of Terapanth office School children on their way home It is getting cold in the afternoon Amet Street Shopping street Small lane with some shops Iron business So many borders for Saris! Shopkeeper with his daughter Mobile hospital in front of Terapanth Bhavan Gathering with Acharya Mahashraman in the hall Acharya Mahashraman in his speech honoring the deceased in worldly terms father of Samani Nirmal Pragya Two Sadhvis Sadhvi Mimansa Prabha