Asansol: Muslim couple cremates Hindu cancer patient

ASANSOL: A Muslim couple at Asansol’s Sitarampur kept their word to a Hindu cancer patient they had nursed by performing his last rites in accordance with Hindu customs. Syeed Khan and his wife Reshma will also perform the shradh of Surendra Bhagat Aggarwal in keeping with his wishes. Surendra, who died after a battle with oral cancer , was cremated at Sitarampur on Friday.

Reshma of Sitarampur had married Syeed from Kolkata’s Park Circus 30 years ago before moving to Mumbai, where Syeed owned a small food stall. The childless couple developed a friendship with Surendra, their neighbour, who look upon Reshma as a daughter.

“After some time, my husband left for Jaipur. I returned to my parental home in Sitarampur. Surendra stayed in touch and even visited Sitarampur,” Reshma said. “As the years passed, we heard he was suffering from oral cancer and had been admitted to an ayurvedic hospital in Rajasthan. Six months ago, he called me to say doctors had told him he would die soon. My husband brought him to Sitarampur and looked after him for six months.”

About a month ago, Surendra’s condition worsened. He stopped speaking and had to be fed through a Ryles tube. He died around 7pm on Thursday. Syeed said: “ We kept our promise by performing his last rites in accordance with Hindu customs. His shradh ceremony will be held in 10 days.”