A man who won the recent elections to Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) cut short the celebration to cremate the body of an orphan and emerged as a role model for many politicians.
In the past five years, Shankar Patil, 32, has cremated 500-600 orphaned, unclaimed bodies in and around the city. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, he performed the last rites of over 200 deceased. He along with his friends has been providing free cremation service to the poor, especially orphans.
As soon as he received a call saying the body of an orphan was found near Kakti, he and his friend left the place where they were celebrating Patil’s election victory. They carried the body in an ambulance to Sadashivanagar crematorium and performed the final rites.
Earlier, Patil used to drive an autorickshaw to support his family. Later, with the help of friends, he joined a pharmaceutical company as a medical representative. However, he always wanted to render social service. About five years ago, he came up with the idea of cremating bodies of the underprivileged.
Patil told TOI, “We have cremated 500-600 bodies. At present, cremation costs Rs 500 -1,000 and there are many who cannot afford it. Besides, orphans have no one to do their last rites. I was recognised in my ward due to this work. How can I not perform the service just because I won the election?” Patil has two ambulances dedicated for transporting unclaimed bodies.
