‘Chacha Sharif’: Man Who Buried 25,000 Unclaimed Bodies In 27 Years And Conferred With Padma Shri Honour

President Ram Nath Kovind yesterday (26 January) conferred the prestigious Padma Shri honour on Mohammed Sharif, hailing from Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh, for cremating over 25,000 unclaimed bodies, reports Indian Express.

Sharif had lost his son 27 years ago. At the time, he learnt about his son's demise a month after. Ever since, Sharif took upon himself the onus to cremate unclaimed bodies.

Along with Sharif, a total of 141 individuals were honoured with Padma awards. Of these seven received Padma Vibhushan honour, 16 received Padma Bhushan honour and 118 received Padma Shri honour.

It should be noted though that usually, the awards are conferred in ceremonial functions held sometime in March or April of the concerned year.

Meanwhile, Vice President (VP) M Venkaiah naidu hailed the Government's step to honour unsung and unrecognised heroes with Padma awards and said that the development was in a way, "discovery of India."