Why an 83-Year-Old Living on the Footpath Has Performed the Last Rites of 550 Unclaimed Bodies

“For me there is only one religion and that is humanity. I don’t believe in any other religion,” says 83-year-old Mithalal Sindhi. He is a resident of Ahmedabad, has been living on the footpath for the last 60 years, says that he is completely satisfied with what life has given him – and what this man does for the people of this city is something that he will always be remembered and respected for.

It has been 57 years since Mithalal has been involved in an act that symbolises incredible selflessness and social service. He performs the last rites of all those people whose dead bodies are not claimed by anyone. And he has done that for around 550 unclaimed bodies till now.

This is his story:

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