This story is from April 12, 2021

Nashik: Muslim manages crematorium, wins hearts in Covid time

One man has been working tirelessly at a crematorium for Hindus even as the number of Covid rises in Nashik city. Mehboob Shaikh (45) is the manager of the Nashik Municipal Corporation-run crematorium for a decade.
Nashik: Muslim manages crematorium, wins hearts in Covid time
Mehboob Shaikh at work
NASHIK: One man has been working tirelessly at a crematorium for Hindus even as the number of Covid rises in Nashik city. Mehboob Shaikh (45) is the manager of the Nashik Municipal Corporation-run crematorium for a decade.
The flow of bodies at Amardham crematorium, located on the banks of river Godavari, has risen over the past few days. Shaikh has been working tirelessly to help bereaved families complete the final rites.
“I have no hesitation in working at a crematorium meant for Hindus. I feel that it’s a pious job to help the dead in their final journey,” said Shaikh.
He has to maintain cleanliness on the premises, ensure all basic amenities are in place and the proper functioning of the two electric and one gas crematoriums. He also has to see that there is enough wood for the 14 traditional pyres. He also completes the paperwork before bodies are cremated.
“There are many cases when bereaved families leave bodies without performing last rites as they fear getting Covid. We then perform the last rites,” Shaikh told TOI.
Although Nashik city has six crematoriums, the rush at Amardham is always greater. This crematorium handles over 15-20 bodies a day. “The pain of families losing their loved ones is much more than our workload,” says Shaikh.
Sunil Sirsath, sanitary inspector of East Nashik division, is all praise for Shaikh. “He has set an example for all of us. Despite hailing from a different community, he works at the Hindu crematorium. He’s been working well to manage it,” added Sirsath.
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