Carrier of Words
by ,
Rapid Learn 2-Minute Revision
Perfect for last-minute revision
2-Minute Revision Video
Video coming soon
This chapter pays tribute to Khetaram, a Gramin Dak Sewak (rural postman) who for fifteen years has been the sole link between remote desert hamlets of the Thar and their faraway families. Defying the harshest heat, delivering even when the temperature crosses 50°C, he walks kilometres across sand dunes to deliver mail within 24 hours near the Indo-Pakistan border. Gramin Dak Sewaks serve areas without schools or roads, and India Post reaches even rural depositors, reflecting people's deep trust in the postal system. The job gave Khetaram a livelihood in a famine-prone land, and villagers trust him to read out letters and write replies. He dreads delivering news of death (envelopes with a torn corner) and reads them outside the house. Grateful to serve even after sixty, he hopes to become a Gramin Sanchar Sewak when phone lines arrive. The author salutes people like Khetaram who are part of our social fabric.
Detailed Summary
Detailed Summary Video
Video coming soon
The lone link of the desert
Before the internet, mail travelled through the postal system to be delivered by the postman. In India's extremes, Gramin Dak Sewaks remain the sole link between remote communities and their families. Khetaram, with his left shoulder slumped from years of carrying a mailbag, is the sole postman of Somarad Branch Post Office. For fifteen years he has served this Rajasthani village, reaching far-flung hamlets (dhaanis) just 2.5 km short of the Indo-Pakistan border.
Defying the harshest desert
Khetaram's footprints cross sand beds and dunes to deliver mail within 24 hours of dispatch from Jodhpur, some 330 km away. His load cannot exceed 28 kilos. He delivers even when the temperature crosses 50°C (recorded as 49.9°C to avoid a state holiday), sometimes postponing deliveries till after sundown. His khaki turban and uniform are his only shield against scorching winds and sandstorms.
Trust and livelihood
Since 2001, delivery agents like Khetaram have been recognised as Gramin Dak Sewaks (GDS), forming over half the postal workforce and serving inaccessible areas by foot. India Post's mission after independence was to bring the whole population within the mailing net, and it reaches even rural depositors, reflecting deep public trust. The job gave Khetaram, whose land suffers famine, a new lease of life. Villagers trust him to read letters and draft replies.
The dreaded letter and a tribute
Khetaram dreads one delivery: the envelope with the right corner torn off, signifying news of death, which cannot be carried into the house, he stands outside, reads it twice, then tears it to bits. After more than fifteen years his spine is still strong, and he is grateful to serve even after sixty. He awaits phone lines so he may become a Gramin Sanchar Sewak. The author salutes people like Khetaram, who are part and parcel of our social fabric.