By Dr Maria Pais, Manipal
Udupi, Jul 27: While touching the dead is considered a taboo in many cultures, an Udupi resident is setting precedence with his selfless service by bathing the dead. Clarence D’Souza has been aiding grieving families, by getting their departed loved ones ready for the final journey for more than 22 years.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Clarence has bathed over 1000 dead people and got their mortal remains ready for the last rites.
Clarence D’Souza
“I remember to have watched funeral services intently, while serving as an altar boy in Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur. Later, when I was chosen as the president of Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), I felt I should contribute to the society in a unique way. During my youth, I came across many instances of economic and socially backward families, struggling when their loved ones died. Hence, I felt that helping people during grief will be the greatest service. Hence, this marked the beginning of my service,” Clarence recalls.
Hailing from a devout Catholic family, Clarence is the son of Aegidius D’Souza who served as a sacristan at Milagres Cathedral Kallianpur and Irine D’Souza a homemaker.
Clarence completed his SSLC in 1984 from Milagres Kannada Medium High School. Sadly, poverty became a hurdle and he was unable to pursue collegiate education. He pursued his diploma in electrical engineering and with his hard work is considered as class one contractor in Udupi today. Clarence has succeeded in expanding his business in Santhekatte, Kallianpur and surrounding villages. However, social work and charity plays a prominent role in his life.
The 50-year-old Clarence is a person of very shy nature and a man of few words. He doesn’t seek any publicity and is reluctant to give information about his charitable work. However, his selfless actions speak for him.
Clarence, who bathes around 6 dead bodies in a month on an average, says he has come across many scenarios while doing the unique service.
“I have bathed dead bodies which have been decayed. It is not easy and it time to get accustomed,” he says and adds that his close friends Joachim D’Souza and Prakash Pereira help him in his service.
Joachim D’Souza
Prakash Pereira
All the service is free of cost, but Clarence says he is hurt when people doubt his intentions and think that monitory benefit is attached to the service.
“I feel disillusioned many times at the attitude of people receiving service without even a word of thanks,” he says. However, Clarence believes in practically applying the principles of Christianity and says nothing deters him from doing the service. Clarence not just bathes the bodies of Christians but of non-Christians as well.
Clarence says his wife Pramila D’Souza is his pillar of strength. “She is not embarrassed by my mission and is tolerant and encourages me to serve people,” he says. The couple is blessed with two sons.
Clarence presently is an active member of St Vincent De Paul Society in Mount Rosary Church Kallianpur, which is dedicated to the service of the downtrodden. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Kallianpur. A very special feature befitting his character is the blood donation drive, again not considering the time, the place or the person. He is ever ready to travel to any corner and to any hospital to donate blood to save those on the death bed.