A Jain family's profound spiritual heritage - Embracing monkhood in the Punamiya Clan

Keli, the younger daughter of Punyapal and Aastha Punamiya, will accept diksha at a grand ceremony on December 1.
A 13-year-old Jain girl from Dahanu represents the fourth generation in her family to accept diksha or monkhood. mid-day spends an afternoon with the Punamiyas and comes away feeling enlightened. Keli`s grandfather, Dr Prakash Punamiya, recalls how his father started the tradition by accepting diksha at the age of 52, which was followed by the next two generations of the Punmiya Clan.