Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 1: The death of ninety year old Janki Nath of Malvan area in Kulgam has created a void in his native village as his Muslim neighbours, who performed his last rites, believe that they have lost one of their family members.
The communal harmony and brotherhood was on full display at Malvan village in south Kashmir as members of the Muslim community assembled at the house of Janki Nath to prepare him for his last journey. He was the only Pandit in the Muslim majority village which has around 5000 households. He didn't migrate in 1990s and stayed at his ancestral house till his last breath.
Nath, who worked with Irrigation Department and had retired in 1990, breathed his last on Saturday morning after prolonged illness.
Nath was the father of a lone daughter who has not been living with him and even didn't see him in his last days.
As the news of his death spread, neighbours thronged Nath's residence to perform his last rites.
Gull Mohammad Alai and Jahangir Ahmad who wept inconsolably said "they lost their own family". "He was just like my elder brother and I used to take suggestions from him before taking any step," said Alai.
As the numbers swelled up in the courtyard of Nath, the Muslim neighbours carried the bier to the cremation ground and also arranged the wood for his pyre. "It was his decision to stay on and not to leave," recalled Gh Hassan.
"To help our neighbours irrespective of their religion is our duty which we performed. We have lost a member of our family," mourners said. |
