By Rinky Kumar/TNN
Mumbai: Strange are the ways of humanity. It reigns supreme even after man ceases to exist. This adage seems befitting for Kishore C Bhatt, who performs the last rites of unclaimed bodies.
An interior decorator by profession, he has arranged the funerals of over 1,500 people since 1968 according to their respective religious rituals, free of cost. So a Hindu person is cremated while a Muslim or Christian man is buried.
It was a strange turn of events that inspired Bhatt to do this unusual, yet noble deed. In 1968, at the age of 17, Bhatt had accompanied a social worker to distribute food to the residents of a faminestruck area of Surat. But the scene that greeted him there left an indelible impact on him for the rest of his life. He saw corpses lying along with carcasses of animals. After reaching home, he narrated the event to his father who advised him to lend his services as a pall-bearer whenever he could.
Only Bhatt took a step further. Whenever he saw any body lying on the road or in hospital morgues, Bhatt offered a helping hand. Bhatt also realised that people from poor families are often unable to give a decent farewell to their family members. “Once I met a man who did not have money for the funeral of his relative. I paid the expenses and arranged for his funeral.’’
Today, whenever there is an unclaimed body or a family is unable to pay for the last rites of their a deceased member, the mortuary officials of government hospitals inform Bhatt, who arranges for the ambulance, shroud, incense sticks, priest or maulvi according to the person’s religion. The expenses amounting to almost Rs 1,000 are paid by Bhatt.
Bhatt owns an art shop at Jacob Circle where he creates designs for architects. He also owns a snacks stall and a juice centre that enable him to shell out money for his social work. He has formed an organisation, Sadgati Foundation, to carry on the good work.
In his 37 years of social service, Bhatt has had many heart-rending experiences. Narrating one such incident, he says, “A couple of years ago, I saw an old man lying outside my shop. He told me he was suffering from tuberculosis. I admitted him to Sewree Hospital and after four days, he paid me a visit and thanked me. The next moment, he passed away. I arranged his funeral.’’
Now, Bhatt harbours a desire to build a crematorium where the “souls of human beings will truly rest in peace’’.
The Times of India, March 26, 2006
