Mazibur Rahman of Assam looks after abandoned and lonely elders

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Mazibur Rahman help an old woman walk
Mazibur Rahman help an old woman walk

 

Daulat Rahman/Guwahati

 

At the age of 70, Tofiqur Rahman (name changed on request) suddenly found himself homeless and lonely. He owns no possessions and had no one to call family. Till a few months ago, he was living as a destitute on the streets. However, before that Rahman had a decent job, owned land, and a house in village Hajo in Kamrup district. After the death of his wife, his two sons sold the property and moved on with the proceeds without keeping in touch with their father.


However, life did change for Tofiqur, who keeps himself engaged in gardening and has a company of peers at Shanti Nivas, a shelter home for old, deserted, and sick people In the Nalbari district. Tofiqur is not alone. Nirmali Devi (name changed) also deserted by her sons and daughters, has landed in the home.

 

‘It is my second and final home now. I feel safe, secure, and comfortable here,” the septuagenarian says.

 

Shanti Nivas was set up by Mazibur Rahman, who is in his late forties, in 2008. So far the place has become home to 626 elderly men and women of different faiths who were found in pitiable conditions on the streets, railway station, bus station, etc,.

 

Mazbibur Rahman serving the old woman at Shanti Nivas

 

“I have stopped complaining about life after reaching Shanti Nivas,” says Tofiqur Rahman. “What more can I ask from life when I have someone like Mazibur? My sons deserted me but Allah has given me a real son in Mazibur. I pray to Almighty that Mazibur keeps on helping the people and the humanity.”

 

At present, there are 50 inmates in Shanti Nivas. Mujibur says he becomes restless whenever he comes across incidents of elderly parents being deserted by their children. He then tries to do everything possible to rescue such persons from streets, footpaths, railway stations, bus stations, and other places.

  

In a conversation with Awaz-The Voice, Mazibur says in Shanti Nivas, the best possible care and attention is provided to the inmates. They have a Television set, newspapers and plenty of books to read there.

 

 “I and my wife (Sonia Begum) personally help some of the inmates use the toilet and bathroom. Due to old age, many of them feel irritated sometimes and refuse to cooperate. We give them haircuts, and wash their bodies,” Mzibur Rahman says.

 

The couple starts their day at Shanti Nivas early morning and both keep working till late evening. “I go to bed only after ensuring that the inmates are sleeping peacefully,” Mazibur says.

  

Mazibur Rehman in the service of humanity - helping an elderly inmate

 

A few months ago, Mazibur had brought an elderly lady who had developed bed sores on her back at her home to Shanti Nivas. The lady had been continuously lying on the bed at her home after she was abandoned by her children. “Her bedsores were so severe that many people including some health workers refused to come close to her. I and other members of Shanti Nivas treated the old lady and looked after her and her bedsores healed,” he said. 


Mazibur said that 61 inmates passed away while being taken care of at Shanti Nivas. None of their children and relatives came to perform their last rites. Mazibur performs the last rites of the deceased as their son. While 56 deceased belonged to the Hindu religion, 5 of them were Muslim. Mazibur cremated 56 bodies by following Hindu rituals and laid to rest five bodies as per the Islamic rituals.

 

Mazibur’s mission to help others is not confined to Shanti Nivas. During the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown last year, Mazibur provided many people food and other goods and also performed the last rites of Covid-19 victims.  

 

“The land of Shanti Nivas was once an abandoned government land. I borrowed lakhs of rupees to set up the old age home. Sometimes I feel tired because of a lot of courage and a huge amount of patience to take care of the elderly persons on daily basis,” Mazibur said.

 

 Mazibur Rahman cooks foor for Shanti Nivas inmates

 

“The number of old people being abandoned by their children and relatives is alarmingly increasing in Assam. So, I have to do more and more service to provide shelter to these unfortunate people,” Mazibur said.


Mazibur is an ardent fan of music maestro Bhupen Hazarika. He said Bhupenda’s immortal song 

 

“Manuhe manuhor babe jodihe okonu nabhabe okoni xohanubhutire bhabibo kunenu kuwa? xomoniya? ("If a man does not spare a little thought, who else would weep for fellowmen, Tell me, O friend.") is his inspiration. The song of the maestro motivates Mazibur to serve the elderly, sick, and unfortunate people.