Rajouri’s elderly couple spreading message of harmony

Rajouri, Nov 1: A 70-years-old man and his wife from Rajouri town are setting an example of communal harmony and brotherhood as they are making and selling Diyas (earthen lamps) being used by Hindu women in festivals like Karwa Chauth and Diwali.

The couple eagerly waits for festivals like Karwa Chauth and Diwali throughout the year and sells the Diyas to Hindus, especially women that too on meager rates.

Muhammad Hussain, 70, son of Abdul Aziz of Rajouri town with his wife, Asiya Khatoon has been working in this profession for the past four decades.

This is their only source of income as the aged couple has no children.
They live alone in their house.

Hussain also has been suffering from a tumour for a long time but is presently feeling better.
However, he fears about the re-emergence of the health issue.

“I was suffering from a tumor years ago after which I took some medicines but did not manage to continue treatment due to financial issues,” Hussain said.
He said that the couple had been doing this work for the past more than 40 years.
“It makes us happy to serve the society in such a way,” Hussain said.

The two are not only setting an example of communal harmony but also selling Diyas at an affordable price and most of the Hindu women prefer to purchase these Diyas from the aged Muslim couple.

“We always prefer to purchase Diyas from this aged uncle as he sells the product not only at affordable price but also with a smile on his face which we consider as a blessing for us,” Sharda Kumari said. “By purchasing Diyas from the couple, we feel delighted to have our role in strengthening communal harmony and helping a poor aged couple earn a livelihood."
Hussain said that he and his wife wait for festivals like Karwa Chauth and Diwali for the entire year as these were the days when they earn a handful of money to feed themselves and save for spending in other months of the year.

“During the rest of the year, there is very little sale of Diyas due to which we face difficulty in earning livelihood. We also are left with other options but to sell other products like handmade ice cream during the rest of the year. However, the days of Diwali and Karwa Chauth are golden days for us,” he said.

The aged couple is also known to provide Diyas free of cost to poor women who fail to purchase the Diyas on their own.
“Many times poor women having no money visit our roadside stall and we give them Diyas free of cost,” Hussain and his wife said.