JAIPUR: Thirty years ago, Goverdhan Das Keswani had to borrow money for his mother’s shradh. That’s when he planned to visit Haridwar to immerse the ashes of those who could not afford it or were unable to go there for some other reasons.
Few years after his voluntary retirement from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in 2006, he started taking the ashes for immersion. Even during Covid, when many families are reluctant to visit Haridwar, Keswani, who now has a team of eight volunteers, visits Haridwar on behalf of those families. TOI on Monday met Kewasni at the Aadarsh Nagar crematorium where he was greeted by the caretaker who told him that ashes of relatives of many people who died of Covid were pending.
“I lost my father when I was one year old. When I turned 30, I lost my mother. We were very poor during those days. While I had to borrow money from someone for the post-death rituals. I dreamt of doing this service for those who can’t afford it. In 2006. I took voluntary retirement and since then I have been visiting crematoriums and taking ashes of those whose families can’t afford it,” Keswani said.
After Covid struck, there was scare among the masses. “Earlier, we were merely into taking ashes of relatives of those who can’t afford to visit Haridwar. But during Covid-19, we met many families who were reluctant to visit because of fear of getting infected. Thus, with my team of eight volunteers took the responsibility,” he added.
“Log badi umeed se apnon ke asthi kalash dete hain (People with hope hand over the ashes of their deceased relatives),” he said.
During lockdown, he had to visit police stations and other offices for passes. “Last year, when transport services were banned due to pandemic, we made passes and continued the services,” he said.
He has also been awarded by the department of education for his noble deed. Asked if he is not scared of Covid, he said, “I am already 70 and I have blessings of almighty. Since I had dreamt of this work, I feel very satisfied.” His team members Dayal Das (65) and Surendra Kumar (44) have also been assisting him. “He inspired us and we are associated with him,” Kumar said.
Few years after his voluntary retirement from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in 2006, he started taking the ashes for immersion. Even during Covid, when many families are reluctant to visit Haridwar, Keswani, who now has a team of eight volunteers, visits Haridwar on behalf of those families. TOI on Monday met Kewasni at the Aadarsh Nagar crematorium where he was greeted by the caretaker who told him that ashes of relatives of many people who died of Covid were pending.
“I lost my father when I was one year old. When I turned 30, I lost my mother. We were very poor during those days. While I had to borrow money from someone for the post-death rituals. I dreamt of doing this service for those who can’t afford it. In 2006. I took voluntary retirement and since then I have been visiting crematoriums and taking ashes of those whose families can’t afford it,” Keswani said.
After Covid struck, there was scare among the masses. “Earlier, we were merely into taking ashes of relatives of those who can’t afford to visit Haridwar. But during Covid-19, we met many families who were reluctant to visit because of fear of getting infected. Thus, with my team of eight volunteers took the responsibility,” he added.
“Log badi umeed se apnon ke asthi kalash dete hain (People with hope hand over the ashes of their deceased relatives),” he said.
During lockdown, he had to visit police stations and other offices for passes. “Last year, when transport services were banned due to pandemic, we made passes and continued the services,” he said.
He has also been awarded by the department of education for his noble deed. Asked if he is not scared of Covid, he said, “I am already 70 and I have blessings of almighty. Since I had dreamt of this work, I feel very satisfied.” His team members Dayal Das (65) and Surendra Kumar (44) have also been assisting him. “He inspired us and we are associated with him,” Kumar said.
