New Delhi: Mohammad Sharif, fondly known as ‘Chacha Sharif’, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for conferring him with the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri on January 26. He was felicitated with the award in Ayodhya.
Sharif has performed last rites of 25,000 unclaimed bodies. He started the practice 27 years ago, after his son was murdered and the family came to know only after a month.
“Twenty-seven years ago my son was murdered in Sultanpur. I got to know about it a month later. After that, I took up this practice (of performing the last rites of unidentified persons). So far, I have cremated 3,000 bodies of Hindus and buried 2,500 bodies of Muslims,” Sharif said after a Republic Day event.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for the honour. I will wish for his good health and prosperous life,” he added.
