After son’s body went unclaimed, this man took a step which has honoured 25k dead so far
A bicycle mechanic from Ayodhya, Mohammad Sharif, transformed profound personal grief into a lifelong mission. After losing his son, he vowed to provide dignified final rites for unclaimed bodies, regardless of faith. For decades, he personally arranged cremations and burials, earning him the affectionate title ‘Sharif Chacha’ and culminating in a prestigious Padma Shri award for his selfless service.