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On 23rd March 2002, His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree travelled to Godhara,
Panchmahal, to the scene of the horrific tragedy that occurred on 27th February
2002 at 7.10 am, on the Sabarmati Express train. The Railway District Commander
Shree J K Bhatt was especially pleased to be granted the divine darshan of Acharya
Swamishree. The District Superintendent of The Western Railway and other government
officials were also present. They explained in detail how the incident occurred
in which 58 people were killed in the arson attack. They led Acharya Swamishree
into the now bare shell of the S.6. train compartment, where most of the people
died. The District Commander informed Acharya Swamishree that there had actually
been a plan to burn the entire train by short circuiting the electrics on the
tracks, but the train became late and the plan was not successful.
Seeing the condition of the carriage, where even the steelwork had melted in
places due to the intense heat, Acharya Swamishree became deeply emotional.
He prayed to the supreme Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa that peace is bestowed
on the souls of all the people that died. Acharya Swamishree held communal dhoon
and prayers. All the Sants, disciples and officials joined in to pray for peace
and to instil the wisdom into all, so that such terrible occurrences are never
again repeated. Acharya Swamishree said, that at times of calamity such as this,
it is only the path of true faith and devotion that can uplift the failing spirits
of people. During these times, we only have the mercy of Lord Swaminarayanbapa
Swamibapa to help us through the difficult days. We all must pray for peace.
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree also visited the Godhara Civil Hospital
where the survivors of the tragedy had been taken for treatment. Acharya Swamishree
gave much needed spiritual strength to all the pained victims. He also generously
distributed food, fresh fruit and biscuits to the patients. The Hospital Superintendent
Dr Chandana said that after the incident, no other spiritual leader had come
to see to the welfare of these victims; Acharya Swamishree was the first. He
also added that he has had many opportunities to witness for himself the immense
humanitarian works of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and Shree Swaminarayan
Gadi Sansthan and he commended Acharya Swamishree for this.
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