Kulendu Kalita/Boko

Mohd. Ajimullah Saikh has become a shining example of an "inclusive India" in the advanced years of his life. The 95-year-old Ajimullah of Turukpara village which falls in Boko LAC in Assam's Kamrup district has donated his 1.5 katha patta land to build a crematorium for the Hindus of his village. 

Indrajit Boro, Advisor of Turukpara Village Development Committee told Awaz-The Voice that the Hindu families of the village are extremely happy and grateful to Mohd. Ajimullah Saikh for his humanitarian gesture. 

“There was no crematorium site in our village. So, the Hindu families faced hurdlers in performing the last rites of their dear ones. Now we feel relief after getting land for cremation from Mohd. Ajimullah Saikh,” Boro said. 

Around 300 Hindu, 30 Muslim families, and 10 Christian families live in this village as one community.

Mohd. Ajimullah Saikh has five sons and three daughters, and all of them supported his decision of donating the land.

Arif Hussain, Saikh's younger son said that the Hindus and Muslims have lived in the village peacefully for the past several years. "Local Hindu families faced difficulties during cremation due to lack of proper land. When the local people requested his land, my father donated it happily for building a crematorium and now we are happy to help the local Hindu people.”

Mohd. Ajimullah Saikh said that when the local Hindu people spoke about their problem of performing the last rites of the deceased, he felt very sad. Saikh immediately agreed to donate his land.

“I am the fag end of my life. I am 95 and I may not be here tomorrow. What will happen if my family does not find a burial ground to perform my janaza (burial). The same thing was happening with my Hindu brothers,” he said.

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Mohd. Ajimullah Shaikh also said that he had donated 10 bighas of land to the Assam government for setting up the State Veterinary hospital in Boko.