Ahmedabad City Remembers This Man Whenever A Dead Decomposed Unclaimed Body Is Found

Source: Ahmedabad Heroes | Image Courtesy: Mirror Heroes

This story is a part of the ongoing Ahmadabad Heroes , an initiative by Mirror Heroes.

Eighty-one-year-old Mithalal Sindhi does not discuss Dharma but follows it without claiming to be a saint. Living on a footpath in poverty by choice, Mithalal is a saint in his own right. He gives a dignified farewell to the unclaimed bodies in the city.

Mithalal is remembered every time a body is found and remains unclaimed in the city. Believing in only one religion – humanity – Mithalal has performed the last rites of more than 500 people in the last 45 years. The dead bodies could be from any religion – Hinduism, Islam or Christianity.

Mithalal is one of the rare persons who is performing the work, which anyone would hate to do – performing the rituals for even a decomposed body as per his or her religion. “I look for some sign, symbol or clue on the body that indicate the dead person’s religion and, accordingly, perform the last rituals. Hindus are cremated at VS crematorium, Muslims are buried at Shahpur and Christians at graveyards suggested by the priests,” he says.

He took to this unenviable job when he faced the problem in performing the last rites of his father who died after a long illness in a government hospital in Bhavnagar in 1958. Mithalal’s family had shifted to the city during the Partition in 1947. His family stayed in Maninagar while he went to Bhavnagar and later to Mumbai before coming back to Ahmedabad in 1960. He did not take his share in his ancestral property, which includes a house in Mumbai.

He saw the sudden death of his friend, Nyaldas Sindhi, when he came back to Ahmedabad in 1960. “I and many others united to perform his last rites, and since then people started calling me to perform the last rites of any unclaimed body,” Mithalal recalls.

In the last phase of life, Mithalal believes that God sent him to the earth to perform this act. His three daughters and a son, who are doing well selling fast food in the area, have given up requesting him live with them. “People would not be able to find me when I am needed for the pious act,” he reasons out.

He was married to an orphaned woman, Vishniben, 20 years younger to him, in 1961. She lives with her sons in Vasna. In 1964, Mithalal came in contact with Jivanlal Gor – a retired cop – who gave Mithalal a house to live in and started working with him. Mithalal left the house when Gor died. Mithalal claims that Gor was so impressed with him that he transferred all his property to his name. However, Mithalal, then transferred all property to Gor’s family.

The only thing close to him – his pedal rickshaw – in which he carries the bodies was stolen about four months ago. He now hires a pedal rickshaw every time he has to take the dead on his or her last journey.

The people living on footpath, especially near Ellis Bridge, remember only one person when they are in trouble – Mithalal. All his earnings, by selling Bajra for the birds near M J Library on Ashram Road, is spent on the footpath dwellers.

It's not everyday that you get to meet people like Mithalal Sindhi. Someone who has dedicated all his life for doing...

Posted by Karke Dekho Acha Lagta Hai on Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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A Hairdresser in Gujarat Is Fighting Addiction Through Haircuts

Pravin Master, a resident of Gandhinagar, lost three friends to diseases caused by alcohol addiction. He wanted to help them but couldn’t do much because of his weak financial condition.

This loss motivated Pravin to take a unique step to persuade other people to give up alcohol and tobacco. A hairdresser by profession, he now offers free haircuts to addicted customers who promise they will quit smoking and drinking. Though Gujarat is a dry state, availability of illicit liquor claims many lives in the region.

Pravin came up with the idea two years ago. He also promises that if people don’t feel better three months after quitting alcohol or tobacco, he will pay for their addictions all his life.

Picture for representation only. Source: Sara Kolster/Flickr

According to this 35-year-old, he has helped at least 15 people fight addiction. These people call him their doctor and his salon their rehab centre.

“When a customer comes to me and gives his commitment that he will leave tobacco, I ask him to try to give it up for three months. I promise him that if he does not feel his life has improved, I will bear the expenses of his addiction for life. So far, no such case has ever come to me. Anyone who quits addiction says his life has improved as his health and financial condition had got better. This inspires people to ask other addicts to take my help,” he told The Times of India.

Some of his customers who have quit alcohol include Prakash Parmar, a 34-year-old private sector employee, and Rambhai Kanojiya, a 57-year-old grocery shop owner. Both feel their lives have improved now, all thanks to Pravin who convinced them like a doctor would.

Features image credit: The Times of India

“When a customer comes to me and gives his commitment that he will leave tobacco, I ask him to try to give it up for...

Posted by Karke Dekho Acha Lagta Hai on Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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This Mother-Daughter Duo Is Promoting Road Safety With a 3D Painted Zebra Crossing. It’s Brilliant!

Road safety in Ahmedabad is taking a creative turn, all thanks to Saumya Pandya Thakkur and Shakuntala Pandya. This mother-daughter duo painted a stunning 3D zebra crossing as an experiment, which authorities in the city have applauded as a successful method to caution drivers.

According to Saumya, 3D street art is fairly new in India, and such designs always cause curiosity and wonder. “That is the reason of its success in Ahmedabad,” she said on a post on her Facebook page.

With permission from the concerned authorities, the 3D zebra crossings have been put in place mainly at accident prone zones of the city.

Saumya Pandya Thakkar and Shakuntala Pandya. Source: IndiaTimes.com

Taking inspiration from foreign countries, where it is widely used, their design is a flat pattern that is painted at an angle such that it slightly causes the zebra crossing to pop up for approaching drivers, encouraging them to slow down. It does not, however, create major disruptions to the driver’s view. “Forget about risks of sudden braking, as on the actual spot it is just mild slanting stripes with micro 3D effects,” she said, mindful of drivers’ safety.

While they are restricted in design due to regulations by the roadworks authorities, word on the street is that it can be quite effective. “The authorities have tested the effects in Ahmedabad and have approved it as a successful concept till now,” she said. The design is also eligible for copyright, she added.

Saumya has been involved with art since childhood. Deeply in love with nature, many of her exhibitions promote a sense of connection with nature. She runs an art hub called ‘Saumya’s Wet Brush $234P’ since 2000, and also teaches art to children and senior citizens.

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In Ahmedabad, Donkeys That Cure Depression

Move aside, kittens, puppies, and tiny bunny rabbit in a top hat. The brand-new mascot of cheer is here — the donkey! Turns out the beast of burden is, in fact, a harbinger of happiness.

Donkey Assisted Therapy (DAT) is a brand new (and adorable) form of therapy that has now reached India.

The DAT Centre in Ahmedabad, which has been rescuing abandoned donkeys since 13 years, has now started conducting therapy sessions.

Image for representation only. Source: Flickr

Dr. Ramesh Kumar Perumal, veterinary coordinator of Donkey Sanctuary India, lists out the many wonderful benefits that donkey therapy can provide.

“Donkey is a very docile animal and can be a good pet but unfortunately there is a stigma attached to this pet in India. A donkey can be an excellent facilitator in the motivation building process, stimulating development in differently-abled children and cultivating psycho-affective and psycho cognitive development processes”, he said to the Times of India.

Donkeys are especially good with differently-abled children. Since the DAT program was started in Africa, it has positively affected the lives of over 40,000 children. That’s a lot of love!

At the Ahmedabad centre, children with special needs can get rides on donkeys, and adults can spend time with the animals — all free of cost.

NO SHREK IT IS SO MUCH MORE

Source: Tumblr

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international charity whose goal is protecting and promoting the welfare of donkeys and mules. In India, they are often rescued from brick kilns and construction sites, where they are used for transporting sand. Many of the animals are mistreated — often beaten and otherwise physically harmed to make them work harder, and then abandoned when they are old or injured.

The DAT Centre in Ahmedabad is in Chharodi, opposite Nirma University, and currently has 47 donkeys.

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He’s Been Educating Kids on the Footpaths of Ahmedabad for 15 Years. Read His Inspiring Story.

In a country like India, where most schools offer poor quality education and students still drop out, it is wonderful to see many children studying by the footpaths, late into the night. The story of Kamalesh Parmar, who started a free education initiative after realising the quality of education in municipal schools was terrible, is nothing short of extraordinary. His efforts have been recognised by many people who have, in turn, offered him donations.

Kamalesh runs a fabrication factory in Ahmedabad and has been teaching children for 15 years.

He recently shared his story with Humans of Amdavad.

“I was standing outside my factory and saw around 20 students of a municipality school going back home after giving their exams. They were very happy as their exams were over. Somehow, I got an urge to ask them about what they study at school, and after interacting with those students, I was shocked to know that none of them knew how to read and write,” he says. 

“And the most surprising part was that they all were in 8th standard. On hearing this, I conducted a survey of around 400 students in our slum area and the results were astounding. Out of 400 students, only 5 students could read and write. That was the time when I decided to start this footpath school. From teaching them basic alphabets to higher education, we teach everything. Here, they are prepared for their municipality school exams. I also conduct exams once in a year. I teach them for two hours everyday,” he says on Facebook.

On Sundays, this amazing man gives dinner to the children. This is also a reason many of them come for his classes, he says.

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