Kashi's bitter truth: Now you can hire shoulders for last rites as family ties fade

Varanasi (The Uttam Hindu): In Kashi, the city of salvation, a reality has come to light that shakes human sentiments and the changing social fabric, which shows the mirror of the hollow relationships of today's era. When the life partner of a retired officer (Sinha sahab), who was once known for his power and influence in the government department, passed away, four people could not even find shoulders to carry her body to the cremation ground. After the indifference of relatives and the turning away of loved ones, finally four unknown youths in Kashi, who 'carry shoulders for a fee', completed the last journey of the wife of that helpless husband.

The pride of his position and the indifference of his relatives revealed his loneliness

Sinha Sahib, who held a high position throughout his career, was a reclusive person. Due to his busy schedule and the prestige of his position, he never considered socializing or sharing the joys and sorrows of others necessary. But fate struck a cruel blow when, even eight hours after his wife's death, no one arrived at his home. When he called all his relatives one by one, he received only formal apologies and helpless replies like, "The distance is too far, I won't be able to come." His wife's body was lying in the back of the car, and the former officer stood on the roadside at Maidagin intersection, shedding tears, desperate for four shoulders.

As the funeral procession, carried on "hired shoulders," passed by the elderly man standing helplessly on the road amid VIP hooters, four local young men approached. After some negotiations and a negotiated fee, the deal was finalized, and these four unknown young men carried the deceased's bier on their shoulders. Deeply grieving the loss of his wife, Sinha Sahib's face showed a slight sense of relief, knowing that his wife's final journey would no longer be unattended. As the procession was proceeding towards Manikarnika, chanting "Ram naam satya hai," a VIP convoy passed by, honking its horns. VIP vehicles sped past the road where even hearses had been stopped. At that moment, Sinha Sahib realized how the world forgets a person once they lose their position.

A new system emerging in Kashi: compulsion or a profession of compassion?

This is now becoming a new system on the way to Kashi's Mahasmshan. For the elderly, living in big cities and suffering from loneliness, these young men are no less than angels, whose loved ones are either abroad or have abandoned them as soon as their interests have ended. These young men shoulder the entire responsibility of the last rites and respectfully escort the body to the cremation ground. Call it the impact of commercialism or the harsh reality of frayed relationships, but the truth is that thanks to this system, no helpless person's final journey remains incomplete.

The pain of the young men who lend a shoulder: 'It's not just money, it's the support of humanity'

The young men associated with this profession say that although they started for livelihood, it has now become a sense of service. Young Subhash Soni says that when a family is completely helpless at the last moment, they need support more than money. Meanwhile, Deendayal Gond and Ramesh say that initially the family members found this work strange, but now they feel relieved that they are becoming the support at someone's last farewell. Manish Pal says that in today's digital world, people are so disconnected from their loved ones, engrossed in their mobile phones, that people do not even gather to lend a shoulder at the last moment. In such a situation, this service of ours has become a big bitter need of the society.