67-year-old who cremated 1,300 COVID victims in Nagpur, dies for want of medicines

Nagpur, June 04: How agonizing and painful can your world around you be? In a saddening episode of COVID deaths, a 67 year old man in Nagpur, who was feted as a corona 'warrior', died struggling for medicines for himself. Chandan Nimje, fondly called Dada got infected with COVID-19 in mid-May and breathed last on May 26.

 

Nimje was instrumental in helping to cremate at least 1,300 COVID victims in Maharashtra city of Nagpur. After he was tested positive, his family initially failed to get a bed at a government hospital. Later, his family managed to get a bed at a private hospital after investing huge money, but Nimje couldn't be saved despite the best efforts.

 

 

The man was associated with a group of volunteers who helped cremate bodies of COVID victims in the last one-and-a-half year. He had retired as secretary-level officer in the central government. His family had to go through great difficulty while arranging a bed and Tociclizumab injection. Now, as the family has spent all its savings, they stare penury. Nimje's two sons also lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

 

 

"We approached everyone not only for money for also for hospital bed and medicines. But no help came our way. We also approached Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Commissioner collector and other top officials, but no one helped the man who provided dignity in death to 1,300 people," the report quoted Arvind Ratudi, an associate of Nimje.

 

 

Dada had joined King Cobra Youth Force (KCYF), an NGO helping people afflicted with COVID, after his retirement. It is believed that Nimje contracted COVID when he went for the first dose of the vaccine with his wife.

 

 

After his condition deteriorated, his friend Ratudi and family members started searching for medicines and a bed. When the family admitted Nimje to a hospital in Ramdespeth, the family was asked to arrange Tocilizumab that cost around 45,000. However, it was only available in the black market for Rs 1.45 lakh. A volunteer, who knew Nimje, sent four vials of the injection from Delhi by flight. However, his condition deteriorated and he passed away on May 26.

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