Buy two, Get one free

This sounds like a typical marketing strategy at some superstore or an online portal.

But here we have something totally different, unheard of, and unimaginative. Atleast for me. Thouhg it was related to one of the GRAVEst thing in our life, yet it sounded funny to me.

As the Imam at the community mosque was trying to sell graves at discounted price in the month of Ramadhan, it was hard for me to hold my laugh. Yet it was quite relevant.

"...Grave for $ 400 only. This is special Ramadhan offer. You won't find it at throw-away price after this month. You come on Eid day, and I can't give this for less than $700. You know we have been struggling to have our own cemetry in this area for years. Our sisters and brothers have faced diffculty to arrange for a burial site for their loved ones. Now we have our own land. And the Zoning is also done. We have already deposited a downpayment of $80,000. Now the target of the project is to collect another $30,000 by this December towards a total cost of $200,000. Book your grave now (before it is sold out like a hot-cake !). We are not asking for donations, you pay for yourself. After you, your family members dont have to worry about your last ritual. The mosque committtee will take care of that. But there is handling cost of $200 towards that. The cement vault has to be erected, then there is transportation cost, and the tombstone with your name inscribed on it. Pass these yellow forms (handing over forms to front row persons) and everyone who needs it, or who plans to stay in this area should fill this at once. And I am sure everyone needs it. I have taken one form for myself (showing his yellow form to public-so that they dont doubt him.).

"Imam saheb, is there any discount in price if we take more than one?"

"If you take two graves, the third will be free !! (much like a family-plan offer ). But only during this month. Return your filled-in forms to the mosque or mail it by month end. If you come to me after six months, and say I had filled in the form but forgot to return. I will say $700. (Crowd laughs)"

"Do we have to pay the whole amount right now? "

"No. You have to return the form in this month. And pay by xx-xx (some date). And those of you who dont want to buy a grave, but still wanna contribute towards the project, you are welcome. You can fill in these pink forms and write you donation amount (now I must say it was very smart of him)."

Graves are commodity and Imam acting as a perfect sales manager (not that anything is bad about it). The Holy month and elevated spirits, so this holy-day offer.

However, not many youngsters were holding either of the forms. Perhaps they thought they were not going to die. What if their insurance companies come out with some comprehensive packages comprising a nice grave.

This is amreeka...dude ! Now I see there are some benefits of living in third world. Atleast graves are free ! Enjoy the life, but dont forget to book your resting place.