Mohammed Sharif, popularly known as Sharif Chacha, is an Indian bicycle mechanic and social worker from
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
. He is known for performing last rites for over 25000 unidentified and unclaimed dead bodies.
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...
in 2020 for his contribution in social work.
Biography
Sharif's eldest son, Mohammed Rais Khan, was murdered in 1992 on his way to Sultanpur. With his unclaimed body lying on the road, it was devoured by stray animals.[
Sharif gives last rites to every unclaimed body as per their religion.][ He performed last rites of over 25,000 unclaimed bodies in and around ]Faizabad
Faizabad (Hindustani pronunciation: ɛːzaːbaːd is a city located in Ayodhya district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the southern bank of the River Saryu about 6.5 km from Ayodhya City, the district headquarter, ...
. Though he faced financial difficulties many times, he carried his activities of performing the last rites after collecting donations.[ He also appeared in '' Satyamev Jayate''.
]
Awards
Sharif was conferred with Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...
in 2020 for his contribution in social work.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharif, Muhammed
Living people
People from Faizabad
Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work
Year of birth missing (living people)