In Azamgarh, Hindu farmer plays ‘sehri’ clock for Muslim friends

Varanasi: Being a better human being is the best religion. And, Gulab Yadav is its shining example.
The 46-year-old daily wager and small-time farmer from Azamgarh district, a Hindu by birth, has taken it upon himself to play a human alarm clock for rozedars who have to wake up before dawn for sehri, the meal had before the faithful fast till dusk during the holy month of Ramzan.
The modest resident of Kaudia village in Mubarakpur, which is famous for its Banarasi handloom saris, told TOI he was just carrying forward a family tradition of being the town crier. “My father, Chirkit Yadav, started this selfless service of waking up Muslim devotees for sehri in 1975. Since then the tradition has continued in the family without a break,” Gulab said, adding that his son Abhishek Yadav, a Class IX student, had started assisting him in this holy duty for the past two years.
During Ramzan every year, the farmer sleeps with an alarm clock and a torch so that he is never late. “I am up by 1am and then I go knocking on every door in the village to wake up rozedars for the next two hours. People look up to me and that makes me happy. The responsibility gives me inner peace and satisfaction,” he said. Kaudia village has a Muslim population of around 4,000, besides 200 Hindu families. “We all live in complete harmony, taking care of each other every day,” said Gulab, the father of three sons and two daughters.
His neighbours couldn’t agree more. “Gulab is like a family member,” said Shahabuddin. “He is doing such a commendable job. We know for sure we will not miss sehri and azaan (prayers) because someone like him is watching over us,” said Jaharuddin.
“The selfless service of Gulab Yadav should be recognised and honoured to send a positive message to the society,” added Lal Bihari Mritak, a local resident and social activist.