While the citizens of India stay locked down in their homes due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, the front-line workers do not have the privilege to do so. They are relentlessly working out there and putting their lives at risk each day just to make sure that the patients survive and are attended to. Stories of such unsung heroes have often surfaced in the media and showed us their exemplary dedication, making us bow.
Such is the act of Delhi’s Assistant Sub-Inspector Rakesh Kumar. The cop had to literally postpone his own daughter’s wedding because he had to help at a crematorium instead.
The Delhi Police tweeted a video of the policeman working at Delhi’s Lodhi Crematorium. The video shows the 56-year-old policeman with another cop carrying the body of a COVID victim on a stretcher from an ambulance to the cremation area.
#DelhiPolice ASI Rakesh 56yr old, father of 3, lives in PS Nizamuddin barrack. On duty at Lodi Road crematorium since 13 Apr, has helped over 1100 last rites, himself lit pyre for over 50. Postponed daughter’s marriage due yesterday to attend to #covid duties#DilKiPolice #Heroes pic.twitter.com/dQJhjnt81w
— #DilKiPolice Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) May 6, 2021
Kumar, who lives in Nizamuddin barrack, has three children. He has been with the Delhi Police for the last 36 years.
Since April 13, has been posted at Lodhi Garden and has been helping family members/relatives in cremating the victims of Covid-19 and sometimes even had to light up the pyre. He has reportedly helped to cremate over 1100 bodies and has lit the pyre by himself for another 50 serving for 12 hours a day.
“The ambulances put the bodies outside the ground and leave. We have to help them. I have helped children cremate their parents and grandparents. The second wave is bad. I remember helping a teenager perform the last rites of his father; that pain and suffering can’t be explained,” the cop told Indian Express.
Speaking on the postponement of his daughter’s wedding Kumar told, “This is my duty now. How can I leave and celebrate my daughter’s wedding?” He also added that he chose to stay back in Delhi as he carries out his COVID duties to ensure he doesn’t put his family at risk.
Thankfully he has taken both doses of the vaccine and is taking all precautions while on duty.
He is a real hero! My salute to all of you and your families for all your sacrifices. #IndiaFightsBack #indiastandstogether https://t.co/MHf5UNNLrA
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) May 6, 2021
Dear @CPDelhi Sir it’s such officers who shd be promoted immediately, so that if his life is risked, the family can at least know his great sacrifices are seen, heard, remembered.
As CP you can promote him immediately, make him a #RoleModel for the force.
Let’s not wait.
— NK (@NaraayanKannan) May 7, 2021
Delhi Police’s tweet went instantly viral on social media and Kumar was hailed by many people, including cricketers and administrative officers, and others who praised his work and called him a ‘hero in uniform’.