Digger of 1,400 graves lives in penury

Songu Mia, 80, has dug more than 1,400 graves.

He is a poor porter in Mirzapur, but poverty has not marred his sense of duty to other fellow human beings.

Songu Mia lives in Postokumari under Mirzapur municipality. He has three sons, but they do not look after him.

He has no other property except his house. So, he has to work till midnight to make ends meet for himself and his wife.

When asked why he has dug so many graves over the years, Sangu Mia said: "I'm a poor man. I can't help others with money. So, I have taken the work of digging graves to please Allah."

He has been digging graves since adoloscence. He has dug graves at Postokumari, Baimhati, Sawdagorpara, Dullah Begum, Mirzapur Bazaar, Sarisadair, Godail, Charpara, Kumarjani under Mirzapur municipality and other neighbouring villages.  

Advocate Mosarraf Hossain Moni, ex-mayor of Mirzapur, said Songu Mia does not take any money for grave digging.

Whenever Songu Mia comes to know about any death, he appears to the spot with a spade and machete to take part in digging a grave for the deceased. He also takes part in bathing the body and putting on fresh clothes on it. He even works as a pallbearer after that.

Upazila somaj seba officer Habibur Rahman said that Songu Mia does not get any old-age allowance, even though he is well qualified to get it. The department concerned will arrange the allowance on a priority basis if he wants it, the officer added.

 

Digger of 1,400 graves lives in penury

Songu Mia, 80, has dug more than 1,400 graves. He is a poor porter in Mirzapur, but poverty has not marred his sense of duty to other fellow human beings. Songu Mia lives in Postokumari under Mirzapur municipality. He has three sons, but they do not look after him. He has no other property except his house. So, he has to work till midnight to make ends meet for himself and his wife. When asked why he has dug so many graves over the years, Sangu Mia said: Im a poor man. I cant help others with money. So, I have taken the work of digging graves to please Allah. He has been digging graves since adoloscence. He has dug graves at Postokumari, Baimhati, Sawdagorpara, Dullah Begum, Mirzapur Bazaar, Sarisadair, Godail, Charpara, Kumarjani under Mirzapur municipality and other neighbouring villages. Advocate Mosarraf Hossain Moni, ex-mayor of Mirzapur, said Songu Mia does not take any money for grave digging. Whenever Songu Mia comes to know about any death, he appears to the spot with a spade and machete to take part in digging a grave for the deceased. He also takes part in bathing the body and putting on fresh clothes on it. He even works as a pallbearer after that. Upazila somaj seba officer Habibur Rahman said that Songu Mia does not get any old-age allowance, even though he is well qualified to get it. The department concerned will arrange the allowance on a priority basis if he wants it, the officer added.