An unprecedented 21 day national lockdown has been imposed across india to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus, which has claimed 29 lives so far across the country.  In many places, leaving one’s home, except for emergencies, is considered a crime. Similar stories are being reported across the country. Tulasamma, a native of hoskote in karnataka died on the same day as Somaiah. However, she was staying with her daughter pooja in Ramasamudram, chittoor, and breathed her last there. Due to the lockdown, none of her close relatives from karnataka could attend her last rites. Only about 50 relatives within Ramasamudram could attend the funeral. Due to the fear of coronavirus spreading, police didn’t permit large crowds.”

 

Tulasamma’s funeral service is being held next week in hoskote, for which Pooja’s husband sought permission from police to attend the ritual. Pooja’s husband says “We have asked for permission and are hopeful of being exempt from the lockdown”. “The hardest part was all the stress about the funeral. Getting her body home required so much paperwork, calls and permissions.” police allowed only 20 members to attend the funeral, and the family had to make the hard decision over whom to invite. 

 

The cousin says, “Everyone who travelled to meet her needed to carry a copy of the death certificate. And then after the funeral, the sudden emptiness of the house which is usually taken care of by visiting relatives and friends was not possible too. The family and all of us had to rely on technology to hold each other up and handle everyone. Such a nightmare like this, made us realise that we do not have the luxury to fall sick or die at this juncture in time.” The nation-wide lockdown was imposed on march 25 and is to be in place until april 14. On monday, after speculations of the curfew being extended made rounds, the cabinet Secretary of india, Rajiv Gauba, said that there was no plan to extend the lockdown.

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