Where people and animals find solace

Deep in the impoverished town of Islamkot in Tharparkar 355 kilometres away from Karachi lies the 100-year-old historic Saint Shree Neenuram Ashram, where hundreds of animals, children and jobless people find solace.

Every day, birds flock to the holy place to get food, and hundreds of cows and buffaloes make their way here to have a drink of water from the many 'piyaos' in the Ashram, and get fodder free of cost along the way. This is a place where as many as 4,000 to 5,000 animals come to quench their thirst.

"The Thardeep Rural Development Programme has given us hand pumps," explains Kala Khushal, 71, shevadari (khidmatgaa) of the Ashram. "We have wells and a water supply system, and about 100 animals can take a drink at a time."

Khushal has been serving here as a shevadari since 1997, but worked at the Ashram as long ago as 1947 to 1959. Back then, he was a sweeper and used to give water to whoever wanted it. Later, he was a patwari in the district of Dadu, but after his retirement, he came back to serve Saint Shree Neenuram of his own free will. Children from the scheduled caste and adults who cannot afford to pay for food find comfort here too.

"Between 300 and 500 people are served lunch and dinner here every day free of cost," says Khushal. "Among the people who come here are those who migrate to barrage areas every day because of drought in Tharparkar. They eat here because they can't afford to get food from anywhere else."

But at this Ashram, nobody has to beg for food. Trucks loaded with rice and ghee pour in from across the province as a mark of respect to Saint Shree Neenuram, who established the Ashram more than 100 years ago. "It is the love people have for the saint that ensures we are never short of contributions," says Khushal. "Neen in Hindi means eyes, and Ram is our God, hence the name Neenuram."

Inside the Ashram is a small temple boasting of a beautiful moorti, which was carved in Jeepur in India. But he Ashram is more than just a place of aesthetic wonder or a haven to feed people. Back in 1962, a school for girls was established at the Ashram, and with Hindi as a medium of instruction, the girls receive not just education, but also vocational training, particularly in sewing. More recently in 2005, it also established a charity hospital.

Khushal is proud to say that the Ashram has never been affected by religious fanatics. "Tharparkar has a unique culture where Muslims and Hindus live in peace," he says. As far as he knows, there has never been a riot between either group of people. "It is not like Swat and the tribal areas where people are killing each other," he adds.

Still, he has a word of caution. "Things are changing and nobody knows about the future. The 'mullah' has not learnt to forgive." [thanks BS]