Residents arrange farewell for postman who served for 36 years

NASHIK: His name is Haroon Allahuddin Sheikh, but very few know him by this name. Haroon is beloved ‘Postman Kaka’ for most of the residents of Ravivar Peth and Old City area in Nashik. After serving for 36 years in this area as postman, Sheikh who retired on Friday was accorded a ward farewell by the residents and officials of the Postal Department.It was an emotional moment for many who recalled fond memories about the 36 year-long association of Sheikh with them. The function was organised at Ravivar Peth Hall.
“It was unbelievable! I never expected such a wonderful farewell function for me. I have so many fond memories of people of Old Nashik. These are wonderful people and I know almost three generations of many families,” Sheikh, who was overwhelmed with the function, said.
“Those were the days when we used to wait eagerly for the postman. Haroon Sheikh was like a family member of many for whom he used to read letters and hand over the money orders coming mostly from relatives settled in Mumbai,” said Suresh Umrale, a resident of Ravivar Peth.
“Haroon Sheikh is one of those lucky postmen who successfully developed very good relations with the residents. He worked in this area for a long period of 36 years. He has been the witness of the make-over of Old Nashik from a temple town to developing city,” said Ananda Sonkamble. Residents felicitated him with Shawl, Shriphal and handed over some amount they collected as a token of love and respect towards his services.
“With postmen becoming irrelevant in the age of emails and mobile phones, such ceremonies would be rarest of rare to witness. Sheikh might be one of the last postmen in India who get such rare honour by the residents,”said Sanjay R Phadke, Senior Postmaster, Nashik Head Post Office. Senior officials of Postal Deparment, Sheikh’s fellow postmen, and residents of Old city were present in large numbers.