VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Feb 14: The residents of Bahimar village of Katkamsandi block in Hazaribag today performed the last rites of a man named Mahavir Saw who has been missing for the last 40 years.
Notably, Saw was an employee of Telco in Jamshedpur when he went missing 40 years ago, leaving behind his pregnant wife in Bahimar village. All these years, his wife Sumitra Devi kept waiting for him to take care of their son Bhola Saw alone amid all problems.
However, her wait ended after priests and her relatives finally considered Mahavir dead by performing his last rite by making an effigy and following all rituals.
Sources said Sumitra and Mahavir were leading a happy life after their marriage. But all of a sudden Mahavir went missing from Hazaribag and all efforts to trace him failed.
His wife did not lose hope and used to tell everyone that her husband would return someday. Years passed but Mahavir didn’t return nor the family got any information about him.
Mahavir’s son is now 39 years old and is married. Bhola said when he was born, his father was not there.
“I also want to meet him and so kept waiting for him always with my mother,” he said.
Bhola said his mother took care of him despite all odds and so he always wants to see her happy.
“I kept praying for the return of my father seeing the pain of my mother,” he added.
However, last week, relatives, villagers, elders and local priests called a meeting to decide what to do in this matter. All agreed that 40 years is a long time and chances of Mahavir’s return are not possible.
Priests suggested the last rite for Mahavir for peace of the departed soul which they said is a must as per Hindu rituals. The family especially Sumitra was convinced.
As everyone agreed, an effigy was made and finally, the last rite was performed on Monday in presence of villagers and relatives. His son Bhola performed all rituals and consigned the effigy to flames.
For Sumita, this decision was a big blow for her.
“I was waiting for him long but finally his last rite took place in this way,” she added.
