The Camel Man of Jaisalmer

The two-day Jaisalmer sojourn will be etched in my mind for more than one reason. Apart from the usual touristy activities like visiting the Sonar Kella ,the havelis or the desert at sunset, I shall remember Jaisalmer for Narayan Singh Bhati.I met this remarkable person through our driver Mangilal ji at an eatery very close to the Golden Fort.He was the owner of the  Kabab Corner and another one just behind.We were escorted by Mangilal ji to Kabab Corner for some non- vegetarian fare.There we met the man in his mid- thirties,looking dapper in a very colourful jacket and jeans with a traditional Rajasthani Safa or pugree.He sported a stylish pair of sun glasses too.On being introduced to us,the first thing he said surprised us.He said that he,along with the people of Jaisalmer,were grateful to Satyajit Ray for the film Sonar Kella which had brought the town and its iconic fort on the world tourist map.For the first time I felt proud to be a Bengalee in Rajasthan! Then he asked questions about Ray which showed his curiosity regarding the maestro.That Ray was not only a world- renowned film maker but also a great writer was already known to him.! More surprise was in store for us.He told us how he had struggled all his life to achieve what he has achieved. Living in abject poverty,his only source of sustenance was to become a camel boy and earn a few bucks from tourists. Needless to say,he never attended a school.With tireless effort and grit,he had managed to save by the rupee and open the eatery a few years back.
                     After spending a pleasant afternoon in his company,it was time to take leave. I was in for more surprise.Narayan earnestly requested me to send him a few photographs of Satyajit Ray with which he would adorn the walls of his restaurant!! When I asked how I would do that,he just took out a smartphone from his pocket and asked for my phone number. Very confidently he told me to send the photos through Whatsapp!! I was simply zapped! How could an unlettered man use a smartphone?
                    On reaching our hotel I didn`t waste time. I was only too eager to share with this unknown man something or some one I proudly consider so precious. After surfing the net I sent him two photographs of the master film maker and one poster of the film Sonar Kella. Prompt came the reply...`Thanks, hukum.`I wondered how he could type his Hindi words  in English! Earlier he had regretted not having watched the film.I sent him a link for the film and  this time came a voice message saying he was looking up the website!!  ( Incidentally I am in regular touch with him on Whatsapp).Just recently I came to know that he is actively involved with the mission to save the girl child.
               Here was some one who we sometimes term `a self-made `man.I just wanted the very best for him .If ever I happen to visit Jaisalmer again I am sure to pay a visit to Kabab Corner. Narayan Singh Bhati may speak to me in my tongue, so great is his learning instinct.The maestro may smile down at me in a far -off alien land.