Carrier of Words

Khetaram, GDS of Somarad Branch Post Office, walks 20 km per delivery in Thar desert 2.5 km from Indo-Pak border.

Mail reaches from Jodhpur within 24 hours via train, bus and his shoulders; footprints show weight of up to 28 kg bag.

Temperatures near 50°C; sandstorms; water too precious to wash; delivers even when body protests.

Sometimes postpones till sundown; khaki uniform and turban only protection against desert furies.

Over three lakh delivery agents; 50% of postal workforce; serve Ladakh, Lakshadweep, northeast: areas inaccessible except on foot.

India Post mandate after independence: bring entire population within mailing ambit; lakh-and-a-half post offices today.

Khetaram reads and writes replies; villagers offer jaggery; BSF gives lifts; tears death letters outside: Ashubh Samachar cannot enter house.

Famine (akaal) makes job vital; money orders sustain families; grateful to serve even after 60 till 65.

If words could satisfy the heart, there might be less care; but words like summer birds depart leaving empty air.

Heart is pilgrim on earth finding words worthless as weeds when truly needed.

A little said and truly said gives deeper joy than hosts of words reaching head but not heart.

Contrast between quantity and sincerity of speech.

Voice winning sunny way to cheer lonely home has fewest words: but oh, those few how dear!

Emphasis on precious brief sincere communication.

Words summoned to test satisfy least; like plants all blossom to root but bear no fruit: superficial speech.

Theme of loneliness; symbolism; rhyme scheme; hyperbole in "world might hold a feast".