NGOs perform last rites for unclaimed Covid-19 bodies

As the second wave of the deadly coronavirus ravages “Maximum City” Mumbai, record numbers of deaths are being reported every day. The situation is such that many people are not going to the hospitals to collect the bodies of their loved ones due to fear of infection, while many are unable to as they themselves are Covid-19 positive. This dire situation has resulted in several unclaimed bodies or claimed ones but with no one to perform their last rites!

To alleviate this situation and render service to humanity with kindness and dignity, two NGOs have come together amid this crisis situation. Mamdani Health and Education Trust, along with members of the Just Smile Foundation, have joined hands to perform the last rites of unclaimed bodies from Samshaan Bhumis to Kabristan. Since 1 May till now, they have cremated and buried more than 40 bodies by following the rituals of their respective religious faiths.

Former journalist and now social worker Iqbal Mamdani is on such a mission since the first wave of coronavirus and has cremated and buried more than 1,350 bodies, including claimed and unclaimed ones. “From the first wave to now, we have witnessed several issues, including manpower shortage at crematoriums and space crunch in mortuaries. People are afraid of performing the last rites for fear of infection. Knowing the pain of losing a loved one due to Covid-19, I thought of taking this up. We discussed with Mumbai police to allow us to bury or cremate, by following the rituals of religious faiths.”

Knowing the good deeds of Iqbal Mamdani, Mehul Dinesh Vithalani, founder of the Just Smile Foundation, joined hands with him. Vithalani said, “I just came to know from a friend of mine, Basant Rasiwasia, also a member of the Just Smile Foundation, about Iqbal Mamdani and his foundation doing a tremendous work since last year for the cremation of unclaimed bodies. I was curious to meet this human being and I was flattered with his offer to join the cause with the whole team. I just shook hands with him and we started to work on this project from 1/5/21 and till 11/5/21, we have done the last rituals of approximately 44 bodies. We just want to appeal and request to the people who have any kind of a problem like this to contact us and we will help them do the last rituals of their family members, if they cannot afford or even if the body is unclaimed.”