The village of Algapara in Joysiddhi Union, Itna Upazila of Kishoreganj, mourns the loss of a quiet hero. On Saturday, June 28, at 10:20 a.m., Manu Mia known to many as the architect of the final destination passed away at his home. He was not just a gravedigger. For nearly five decades, he was a symbol of selfless service and humanity.
His death was confirmed by Md. Monir Uddin, Panel Chairman of the Joysiddhi Union Parishad.
A Life of Selfless Service
Manu Mia spent 49 years of his life digging graves for the deceased. More than 3,000 people men, women, rich, poor, strangers were buried with care and dignity by his hands. Yet, he never charged a single penny. To him, this was not a job. It was an act of devotion to God.
He became widely known as “the architect of the last address,” a man who could be relied upon in a family’s darkest hour. His presence brought peace in moments of grief. In many villages and even outside the district, he was a respected and beloved figure.
His Horse, His Companion, His Grief
To perform his duty efficiently, Manu Mia once sold his shop to buy a horse. Riding that horse, he traveled long distances to dig graves for the dead. That horse was more than transport—it was his companion in service.
Recently, while he was hospitalized due to illness, a group of miscreants killed his beloved horse. This loss hit him hard, emotionally and mentally. According to Advocate Sheikh Mohammad Rokon Reza, a lawyer in Dhaka and a native of the village, Manu Mia was devastated by the horse’s death.
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“I visited him in the hospital,” said Rokon Reza. “I told him that many people want to buy him a new horse. But he replied, ‘I do this work only to please Allah. I don’t want to take anything from people.’”
A Community in Mourning
Panel Chairman Bahauddin Thakur shared that Manu Mia never truly recovered after losing his horse. Though he returned home after medical treatment, his health deteriorated, and he became physically weaker day by day. “With his passing, we have lost a kind-hearted soul, a man without selfishness. People like him can never be replaced,” he said.
The entire village is overwhelmed with grief. Those who knew him recall his compassion, his humility, and his unwavering dedication.
For locals, Manu Mia was more than a gravedigger—he was a symbol of humanity. Even in death, he lives on in the prayers and gratitude of thousands. His story may not dominate headlines, but it will remain carved in the hearts of those he served quietly and faithfully.
He was the one who used to go to others’ homes to prepare their final resting places. Today, he has made that journey himself this time, to his own eternal home. And in that final resting place, he carries with him the love and respect of a nation.
