E-Paper
Photos: Delhi student cremates Covid-19 casualties to keep family afloat
A young student in Delhi, Chand Mohammad dreams of studying medicine once he’s done with school. Since the lockdown has robbed his brother of a job and school is out of bounds for now, he has stepped up to the plate and found work at Delhi’s LNJP Hospital where he spends days handling the bodies of Covid-19 victims, transporting them and even helping in their cremations.
Updated on: Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM IST
Share via
Copy link
1/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Chand Mohammad, wearing a PPE kit, cremates the body of a person who died of COVID-19, at a crematorium in New Delhi on June 15. Mohammad, a class 12 student aspiring to study medicine has taken up the job of handling bodies of COVID-19 patients to provide for his siblings’ school fees and his mother’s treatment. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
2/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Chand Mohammad at home, getting ready for work, in Seelampur on June 15. “We are barely making our ends meet since my elder brother lost his job at a merchandise store in Krishna Nagar market during the lockdown,” Mohammad told PTI. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
3/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Chand Mohammad’s mother hands him his lunch box as he leaves for work. She suffers from a thyroid disorder and needs medicines urgently, but the family does not have the means for the treatment. Mohammad’s family has been surviving on ration provided by neighbours and whatever little his brothers earn doing odd jobs. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
4/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Chand Mohammad wearing a face mask and gloves leaves from his house for work. A week ago, he joined a company which deployed him as a sweeper at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. The job requires him to handle bodies of those dying of coronavirus and the shift runs from 12 noon to 8 pm. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
5/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Chand Mohammad along with his fellows carries the body of a person who died of COVID-19 at a crematorium in New Delhi on June 15. “I took the job after I exhausted all my options to find work. This is a dangerous job, as I am at a higher risk of contracting the infection, but I need the job,” Mohammad told PTI. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
6/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Mohammad wearing a PPE kit helps in the cremation of a person who died of COVID-19 on June 15. Every day, he handles around two to three bodies along with another sweeper. “We are required to put the bodies inside the ambulance, take it to the crematorium and put it down on a stretcher once we reach the crematorium,” he told PTI. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
7/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Chand Mohammad airs his face out at a crematorium. He is aware of the risks his line of work brings. He takes a bath as soon as he reaches home and keeps a distance from his family members. “I have been taking all precautions, but we may never know what would happen. For now, I want some help so that the family remains afloat,” he said. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
8/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
Chand Mohammad dries his wet clothes at his house. Desperate to earn some money, Mohammad says he has approached people giving money on low interest rates. “I took my Aadhaar card and voter identity card, hoping to get some money on low interest rates.” (Arun Sharma / PTI)
9/9
View Photos in a new improved layoutUpdated on Jun 17, 2020 7:44 PM
