Barmer. It is said that a graveyard is a place where no one wants to go even if they want to. People get scared just by hearing its name. But in such a situation, let us tell you that from the year 1980, if a person has made the graveyard his home, then it will surprise you. But this is the reality. This is the story of Kasam Shah of Barmer district situated on the India-Pakistan border. Kasam Shah has been engaged in the biggest cemetery of Barmer district for more than 42 years.
Graveyard, crematorium or any place related to death is frightening for any common man. People shy away from even passing through there. But Kasam has made living in the graveyard his profession. Kasam lives in a small room between the tombs. He has cremated many dead bodies in the last 42 years.
Kasam also got heart attack 6 times but still he is seen doing his duty very well. During his journey in Barmer, many times he does not even come out of the cemetery for dozens of days. Along with cleaning every grave, giving water to the plants, he has also got the status of a special finisher of the mosque built in the cemetery.
Kasam Shah tells that when a new journey begins, many thorns come in the way. They say that make yourself so high that before fate God himself asks what is your wish man. Taking care of the crematorium, offering chadar, watering the trees and plants, burying the unclaimed dead body etc.
His father wrote the graveyard in Kasam’s life. Kasam Shah’s father used to be the caretaker of the cemetery earlier. After his death in 1965, Kasam Shah got the responsibility of this place. Since 1980, Kasam is working as Khadim in this cemetery.
Kasam Shah has spent 14 years alone day and night in the biggest cemetery of Barmer city. 75-year-old Kasam Shah says that in the 1980s there used to be only acacia bushes. But as the winds of change changed over time, now about 2 thousand medicinal plants are flourishing here. He says that after coming to this cemetery, it seems that I have now come to the real house, where I am staying is a traveler’s food. Kasam Shah’s journey to visit the cemetery started in 1965, which continues even today.
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FIRST PUBLISHED : November 29, 2022, 13:05 IST