Click to play videoNew Delhi: His work begins where life ends. Known as the 'last-rites' man of the Capital, Mohammed Habib waits for his call of duty everyday - a call from the local police station or hospital to pick up an unclaimed dead body.
Lawaris Baba, as he's often called, has lived outside the LNJP Hospital for since 1934 and has been giving the dead their due - a dignified burial or cremation.
“I carry them in my arms with love and I do not feel scared in my sleep,” he says.
Out on the streets in his uniform - which he says was given to him by a local policeman almost 50 years ago - Habib is always alert to reports of unclaimed bodies.
Depending on what he thinks the religion of the person is, he chooses burial or cremation.
His only assistant is his blind wife Amena.
Subhash Singh, a rickshawpuller who has known Habib for over 20 years, says the most remarkable is Habib’s belief in his work.
“Whether the dead is a Hindu or a Muslim, he performs last rites without any hesitation,” says Subhash.
The septuagenarian says he can't remember just how many bodies he's performed the last rites for.
He gets around Rs 200 from the local police station for every body he buries. But what really keeps him going, he says, are donations, and letters of encouragement.
His only desire is to get dignity in his final journey.
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