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On Thursday, July 29th, 1999, Rafi
Kachelo passed away in London as a result of a
protracted illness at the Chelsea Westminster
Hospital. His funeral casket was brought to
Karachi on board PIA flight no. PK 728 on the
morning of Monday, August 2, 1999, and was taken
the same afternoon by road to Kot Ghulam Mohammed,
District Mirpurkhas for burial at the Kachelo
family graveyard. Before the sun set on that
Monday morning, Rafi Kachelo had been buried in
his ancestral graveyard next to the mango
orchards.
Rafi Kachelo was probably one of the most famous
of the landlords of Sindh. He was the head of the
Kachelo family. The fame of the Kachelo name is
not limited to the borders of Pakistan. “Kachelo”
has become synonymous with quality mangoes. The
name is known in many countries of the world for
the famous mangoes of Kachelo Farms. He was
therefore known as the “King of Mangoes”.
Rafi Kachelo was able to achieve fame for his
mangoes due to his constant efforts to utilize the
best of agricultural technologies. He was always
keen to introduce the latest techniques available.
His efforts eventually bore fruit and he was able
to produce the finest quality of orchards and
fruit.
The Kachelo Farms are located at Kot Ghulam
Muhammad near Mirpurkhas in Sindh. The garden next
to his house on the farms is also famous for its
beauty. Rafi Kachelo had developed this garden
with great pain, growing unique plants and trees,
and using the best techniques of landscaping.
Rafi Kachelo was also a well-respected personality
of Sindh. He was chosen to be the Minister of
Communications in the Interim Cabinet of Jam Sadiq
Ali. He was well known in the political circles,
and had been a close associate of the late
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Pir
Pagara, and many of the chiefs of army staff and
ministers in different governments.
Rafi Kachelo had been suffering from heart
disease. Due to continued illness, he flew to
London on June 22nd for treatment.
Later on one of his kidneys also failed. His
condition improved in London, and he was
eventually able to leave the hospital and come
home to his flat in London for recuperation. It
was during this period when the hand of destiny
struck and he died. His condition deteriorated all
of a sudden and he was taken back to the hospital,
where he died of a heart failure.
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