Old Couple Build Own Tomb For ‘Peaceful Afterlife’ In Odisha’s Gajapati

Berhampur: An 80-year-old man and his 70-year-old wife have constructed their own tomb to spare the burden on their children in Odisha’s Gajapati district.

Laxman Bhuyan, a farmer, and his wife Jengi Bhuyan live in Souri, a sleepy village under Nuagada block in the district. The couple are blessed with 2 sons and a daughter who are married and well placed now.

While their children are staying separately, Laxman and Jengi live in a small house in their village. They manage their livelihood from shift cultivation done by Laxman in a small hilly patch near the village.

Laxman has built the tomb with a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh in the village cemetery. It has two separate cement beds, a canopy with designs on marble on the top and two cement slabs to cover the pit. The construction work, which started six months ago, is yet to be completed.

Laxman has sold all his stock of paddy, cashew, ‘Kandula’ dal and other foodgrains and also the cow they had kept to meet the expenses. Their tomb is located near the tomb of their parents.

Laxman said he and his wife wanted to construct their tomb in their lifetime so that they can rest in peace in afterlife. “We don’t want to be a burden on others and decided to construct the tomb for both of us when we are active,” he said.

Earlier, Laxman informed the villagers about his wish to build their own tomb and entertained the villagers with a feast before starting its work.