Dear friends,
This is
real life story of my friend Haji Kasam-a seventy years old sailor from Mandvi,
Kutch. Mandvi is small coastal town, located 60 km south of Bhuj(India)which is
famous for wooden ship building.
I have been touring people around Kutch and Mandvi is one of the “Must see”
town.
Once I was wandering on the main street of Mandvi along with some
tourists, showing them around, explaining how the ships are being built,
history of the town and so on, I met this sailor-Haji Kasam, who was sitting
right under one big ship and chatting with his friends. Seeing me, guiding
tourists, he welcomed us and offered us cup of tea. I introduced myself and
they (Haji Kasam & his friends) did themselves. Most of them were wearing
white cloths and netted Islamic hats. They were retired sailors. Haji Kasam
told us about how those ships were being built, what kind of woods they use,
how long it take to built one big ship and goods they used to transport across
the Arabian Sea. Some of them told us about their sailing adventures and places
they’ve had sailed to, that included some European countries which amazed me
because I have never been into the Sea. Anyway after a while we moved in to the
town to see the colourful market.
Few weeks
later, once again I visited Mandvi with some tourists. This time I knew them by
name and we were like friends. Again Haji Kasam offered us tea and shared few
more sailing stories but this time he mentioned about one ship tragedy in the
middle of the Sea, in which, he lost one of his son. We were sorry to hear that
but that’s the way sailors live and die, he explained with neutral expression. Every
time when I brought tourists to Mandvi, we spend some time with Haji Kasam and
his friends, very friendly elderly sailors. It became part of my regular tours.
Sometimes
he used to call and ask me when I would visit him next. It seemed that Haji
Kasam was enjoying meeting me and people that I bring to him.
"Isn’t it
interesting to meet such hospitable and friendly people in this busy world? And
that’s the way you and I, have met"
Anyway my tour season (winter) was over so I
went on holidays with my family.
One day I got call from my friend Haji Kasam.
He told me that he is hospitalized in Bhuj due to having breathing trouble.
I told
him “I am out of station and will return in 2 weeks but if you need any
help/assistance I can arrange for you”
And he
replied “No I don’t need. I just wanted to meet you”
(Feelings: sometimes our family or
friends don’t need any help/support from us. What they really want is to spend
some good time with us. That’s all. And that means a lot to them than anything
else we can offer to them from distance)
I told
him that I would see him when I would get back to Bhuj and he replied in his
way “Inshallah” It means “If Almighty Allah/God wills”
After 2
weeks when I got back home, I forgot to call him. Yesterday suddenly I thought
of him and realized that I was supposed to call him. I tried to call him but
his phone was switched off so I tried contacting his friend-Adam who informed
me that Haji Kasam passed away few days ago :( I had nothing more to say or
express how I felt. Whole day I kept thinking of him and of time that we had
spent. Nothing can be done now but
prayer “May his soul rest in peace”
Today
morning I decided to write it down and share it with you my friends. Even
though life is busy, one has schedules, priorities, lack of time; I hope we don’t
miss any possible opportunity to spend time with our loved ones.
-Kuldip Gadhvi