When the country gained freedom, Mr. Mahanta celebrated it differently — he rustled up some wood and ignited a fire at the stroke of midnight — and vowed to keep it burning as long as he was alive. This has ensured that he has hardly spent a night away from home. From a big fire in his courtyard, he has, over the years, reduced it into a torch made of hay. Mr. Mahanta has neither sought the attention of the public nor the media for his patriotism, and barring a felicitation by a local club, has never been recognised officially. Only at the twilight of his life has he got some attention. All he expects is that his sons perform his last rites with the fire he has kept burning for more than half a century.
     
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