Shahjahanpur: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all of us at different levels. This story from Uttar Pradesh's shahjahanpur shows a man rising above religious differences to perform a dead individual's last rites to give her a dignified send-off.
The last rites of a 70-year-old Hindu woman were performed by a Muslim man named Merajuddin Khan after no one claimed her body following her death due to coronavirus.
"Sunita Devi, living in a shelter home, was brought to the medical college emergency (ward) on April 5 with fever and breathing problem. She was found positive for COVID-19 and died during treatment on April 29," Public Relations Officer Pooja Tripathi said.
When no one came for the body, police were informed and her body was kept in the mortuary for six days, she said.
On Tuesday, Merajuddin Khan decided to cremate the body. He took the help of ambulance driver Beeru and performed the last rites of Devi, the officer added.
Merajuddin Khan, who is a local journalist, had also helped the daughter of another deceased, Sudama Devi (60), to perform the last rites of her mother by arranging money for it.