Band of brothers in Covid times

Death and disaster seem to have reinforced the bonds between people of different communities and faith. Anecdotal evidence is piling up to suggest that religious boundaries failed to keep people apart and Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs came together to support each other to cope with the crisis.

An emotional Rajiv Chaudhary of Kiratpur in Bijnor recalls that his 39-year-old brother Chiranjeev passed away suddenly. He was suffering from kidney ailments but after his death in hospital, the hospital indicated that he was also Covid positive.

“At the cremation, I was feeling both lonely and lost. The few relatives who had accompanied the body stood at a distance while I was standing close to the pyre and completing the rituals. It was then when I felt my friend Hasan’s hands on my shoulder. He stood by my side and helped me complete the rituals. I can never forget the strength and solace I derived from his presence.”

A nonchalant Hasan Ali of Kazipara shrugged and said he was certain that Rajiv Chaudhary too would come to his aid in times of distress.

Tariq Siddiqi of Lucknow claims he has received similar reports from across the country. In Lucknow itself, he recalled, when Maya Devi passed away, her son and daughter-in-law were both hospitalized and here was nobody in the family to cremate her. The arrangements were done by neighbours and family friends Zeeshan and Abid Raza.

Nadir Rana of Muzaffarnagar shares a similar tale. Anubhav Sharma, a young man who had a kiosk selling dairy products, passed away. But although his test report was negative, only five people of his family received permission to complete the cremation and rituals. Anubhav’s friend Md Yunus came forward to help in making arrangements.

Examples such as these do not seem to be exceptions. The crisis does appear to have brought people closer and bridged differences.