Coffin maker fulfils duty with quiet dignity after air crash
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Ahmedabad: Before the morning sun could warm the pavement outside Civil Hospital on Thursday, Nilesh Vaghela arrived in a truck loaded with 20 wooden coffins. Neatly arranged, polished to sombre perfection, and lined with care, the coffins bore no names yet — only the weight of untold stories.
For most, coffins are symbols of finality. For Nilesh, they are acts of service. "People talk of borders and visas. But coffins don't ask for passports. They all look the same in death," he adds.
The 47-year-old coffin maker, who resides in CTM, was in the trade for 15 years. He usually works with just one helper, making seven coffins a day. But following the AI 171 air crash, which killed 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, he received an urgent request for 100 coffins.
"Luckily, I had over 50 ready in stock. I regularly help send the remains of the deceased abroad — to London, the US. But this felt different," he said.
Despite the demand, he refused to hike prices or take advance payments. "This is not the time for profit," he said.
As he returns to his workshop to prepare more, Nilesh continues doing his bit. "I don't know their names. But I hope they are remembered with dignity. That's what I've tried to give them. Whatever happened was tragic, but I love this about our country — in times like this, everyone unites. No one asks whose body it is. We just do what needs to be done."
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