Family living in Shevgaon cremation ground spends Diwali in poverty, appeal for help

Diwali is being celebrated everywhere these days, with lights, enthusiasm and fireworks, in what Marathi culture regards as the biggest and happiest festival. But for the Gaikwad family, who live in a cremation ground in Shevgaon taluka of Ahilyanagar district, the darkness of poverty remains. The family is marking Diwali in very simple, difficult circumstances.

The very mention of a cremation ground puts an unnamed fear in many minds. Once a funeral is over, ordinary people do not stay there even for a moment. Anil Gaikwad has been living for several years with his entire family in such a frightening place, one that people avoid even passing by. His daily life is spent in the shadow of fear.

Since Anil Gaikwad came to live here, he has taken on the responsibility of looking after and maintaining the entire premises. The cremation ground used to lie neglected and ignored. By keeping it clean day and night, he has changed the look of the place completely. So that relatives who come at a time of grief to perform the last rites of a family member face no difficulty, he always keeps the premises clean and tidy. He does this work with complete honesty.

Despite such sincere service, the income Gaikwad gets in return is very small. He has to feed his family on the wages and small honorarium he receives at the cremation ground. The family's financial condition is so weak that they worry about getting two meals a day. For such a family, celebrating a big festival like Diwali has become a dream. Lamps and a festive mood are all around, but the heat of poverty is plainly visible in the Gaikwad household.

In view of the hardship and straitened circumstances of Anil Gaikwad and his family, an appeal is being made to local residents, social organisations and donors to come forward and help the family generously. Even a small contribution from caring citizens could bring a ray of hope into the Gaikwad family's life and make their Diwali truly sweet and bright.