Ahmedabad: For Nilesh Vaghela, a 48-year-old auto driver, making coffins is not a passion project. It’s necessary work that earns him his living. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years,” Vaghela said simply. “Honestly, I don't think I have done anything extraordinary, it's the doctors and first responders who should be hailed,” he said.
In the wake of the Air India tragedy, Vaghela received a call: “They said they needed 250–300 coffins. I told them I’m just one person. But I promised I’d manage 100.” He delivered.
Without a team or workshop, Vaghela constructed around 100 coffins in just two days. “I worked 20 hours straight. Took whatever wood I had,”he said. “I didn’t ask for help. Not from my brother, not from anyone. I’ve gotten used to doing it all myself.”
The demand was urgent and grim. Since the bodies were badly burnt or dismembered, they had to be handed over to the families in coffins irrespective of their religion. “Among the dead were someone’s brother, someone’s daughter. I felt terrible," Vaghela said.
People say it's unholy work, that I keep 'death' in my house. But work is work. No job is small.Nilesh Vaghela, Maker and Supplier of 100 coffins to the Air India Crash tragedy
“I take what people offer. Most months, I earn between Rs 20-25,000 with this work. That, along with my auto driving, helps me get by.”
But despite doing the work for years, Vaghela, too, still gets affected every time he gets a call for a coffin.
"Of course it affects me, but someone has to do it. And I can’t say no when a family is waiting", said Vaghela.
When asked if he’ll continue, his answer is matter-of-fact. “As long as people need me, I’ll do it. I’m not educated, but I do the work I know.”