Please NOTE: Most of this episode is in Hindi, and the poor audio in places is because of a phone conversation under some seriously difficult network issues! 

MEET Versha Verma, the woman who is caring for those who have lost their lives, livelihoods or loved ones to the #COVID19 #pandemic in #India, providing succour and an invaluable service to the families of the dearly departed. Even though the Coronavirus pandemic in India has given her efforts a whole new dimention, she has been helping those who often cannot help themselves for years now - ever since she was a teenager. She tells me why she does this - especially ferrying bodies of the deceased from their homes, or those who are unclaimed from the streets or police stations, and ferrying them to the crematoriums - even cremating them with the respect and dignity that every human being deserves. She talks about her inspiration, the support of family and strangers alike, as well as the importance of education when it comes to empowering women. 

Hers is a story of courage, seamless service, of breaking taboos and imagined barriers and, above all, of heroism inspired by a simple belief: just do whatever you can for someone else, with the hope that they will pay it forward.

I'm grateful to her for speaking to me, and, especially, for all that she and her team at "Ek Koshish Aisi Bhi" does. If you require any help in, or around an approximately 100 km or so radius of, Lucknow - do reach out to Versha and her team at her number +91 831 819 3805  Also, do reach out to her if you might like to assist her in her efforts by volunteering your time, or in other ways. Thanks for tuning in!