Shahtaz Khan / Pune

On April 6 last year, Anjum Inamdar received a call. The called informed him that a patient has died of Corona in Vishrantwadi, Pune, and there was nobody to perform his last rites.

It was when the COVID-19 had overwhelmed India; the scare of the disease was so much that the dead man’s family didn’t have the courage to perform his last rites. It was when Anjum Inamdar and some of his friends came together and took charge.

On that day the group gave a send-off to a human being who was unknown to them in his life.

A year later, the situation has returned. Anjum recalls how his team used to perform the last rites of persons who had died of the dreaded disease without involving the members of their families. He fears that he may have to revive his mission given the worsening situation in the city.

Anjum Inamdar with his teammates at a burial ground

The only protocol Anjum Inamdar had for his team was to ensure that the dead must be given a dignified send-off for their last journey.

The team was granted permission by the Pune Municipal Corporation for its mission.

Anjum Inamdar’s 18-member team received proper training on performing the last rites of COVID victims with all precautions.Pune Municipal Corporation supported the group by supplying them with the PPE kits. It’s after getting into PPE kits that the team carried the body for the funeral.

For the burial, the body is lowered in the grave using a 15X15 feet of cloth. Care is taken with the use of PPE kits, gloves, masks. The burial of COVID victims is allowed only in five cemeteries.

As soon as the group receives information about a COVID victim, the team contacts members of his family. The group is always battle-ready to help.

Anjum Inamdar says that earlier even the family members would not join in the last journey of the deceased. “We would carry out all the procedures and rituals right from the hospital to burial or cremation ground,” Anjum said.

Knowing the religion of the deceased is important for carrying out the entire process and it was the first information to be asked for.

Due to restrictions since relatives and members of the family of the deceased are not able to attend the funeral; for them the group arranges livestreaming of the function so that everyone gets the last glimpse of the dead person.

Sachin Endekar says that when his father-in-law died, he approached Anjum Inamdar. With his help, the cremation was done in a smooth and dignified manner. 

Anjum Inamdar and his team at a crematorium

Sachin Endekar was so impressed with them that he continues to support Anjum Inamdar and his group in their noble work.

Alfred Anthony's brother-in-law had died of COVID at the beginning of the Pandemic. At that time there were not enough guidelines for the cremation of the corona victims and hospitals were not ready to hand over the body to the family.

Anjum Inamdar assisted Anthony and his family. Anthony says even in such a difficult time the funeral was held with full religious compliance by Anjum Inamdar and his team.

“I and my entire family are grateful to him,” he said.

Pune has seen an increase in COVID deaths in the last few days. Just two days ago, his team handled 13 funerals in a day.

Anjum Inamdar and his team have cremated 1,080 corpses in one year. “And all our partners are perfectly healthy because we all do our work with full precautions and taking care,” he said.

He says he feels satisfied and overwhelmed with the blessings he gets from the bereaved families.

Anjum Inamdar gives credit of his work to his wife Asiya Inamdar, who, he says, never stopped him from doing his work. He says Asiya has always encouraged him and he is able to do it only because of the support of his family. His wife says she is proud of Inamdar's work.