Watch: Villagers’ empathy towards beggar makes his funeral honourable in Khammam

Usually, when a beggar or an orphan dies, people inform the municipality or panchayat officials to perform such a person's cremation, but in the case of Bhasker, the villagers showed empathy to make his final journey honourable.

Khammam: Even as human values are said to be eroding in the present day society, residents of a village in Khammam district set an example by collectively performing the final rites of a beggar.

The beggar, Thatikonda Bhasker, a physically challenged middle-aged man lived seeking alms from the residents of Gollenapadu in Wyra mandal and spent his days near the house of a former sarpanch Vempati Venkateshwaralu at the village.

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In the due course of time, the residents developed affection towards him as he used to greet everyone lovingly. As he recently fell sick, the villagers shifted him to a community hall and looked after him. He succumbed to his ailment on October 25.

Speaking to Telangana Today, a resident of the village, Kilaru Srinivas Rao stated that though Bhasker was a beggar, the villagers treated him like their family member. Bhasker used to move around the village on his tricycle to seek alms and talk to the residents.

Venkateshwaralu’s wife Prameela used to offer him tea and food as well as clothes and money. After his death, the villagers wanted to bid him a final farewell in a traditional and grand manner. All the residents and community members contributed money for the purpose and took part in his funeral procession accompanied by a band of drummers.

A few days ago the villagers also performed the “pedda karma”, a religious ceremony held for the soul of a deceased a few days after death. Some contributed chicken, some rice and some other paid money for tent and other material for hosting a lunch in Bhasker’s honour, said Srinivas Rao.

Usually, when a beggar or an orphan dies, people inform the municipality or panchayat officials to perform such a person’s cremation, but in the case of Bhasker, the villagers showed empathy to make his final journey honourable.

“The villagers also put up flex banners to inform the public about Bhasker’s ‘pedda karma’. Nearly Rs 40,000 was spent by the villagers for his last rites and ‘pedda karma’, such a kind gesture towards a beggar is rare to see,” Srinivas Rao added.