When the child died due to corona virus, the dead body of the parents was left behind. Right from that time, Sanjeevani risked his own life and went down to the field with a group to say goodbye to those bodies in due process. She is basically a transgender woman. This Sanjivani learns what the followers of these four religions – Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians – observe in their final farewell ceremonies. According to the religious identity, sometimes they go to the cemetery with the body, and sometimes they go to the crematorium or the graveyard (Christian graves).
Identity of Sanjiboni Sudha:
Another name of Sanjiboni Sudha is Sajeev Satesh. Earlier his name was Ashiqul Islam. Due to physical differences, this man has received adverse treatment from people most of his life. However, he is getting a lot of respect because he is involved in the burial and cremation of the dead. Not only that, he is getting soaked in people’s love.
Tangail’s son Sanjeevani learned dance from childhood. Later she was working as a dance teacher at Lamay School in Bandarban run by Quantum Foundation. Later, he came forward to cremate the bodies of those who died due to corona. After working in Chittagong for some time, he is working in Dhaka. Working from Quantum Foundation’s camp at Segunbagicha in the capital. Sanjeevani went to the hospital with his team members after getting the information about where the patients died of corona through the health department. At the beginning of the outbreak of coronavirus, the relatives of the deceased were afraid to go near the dead body. So Sanjeevani and his team members had to do the entire ceremony of the last farewell of the body.
Education and Career:
After completing Honors and Masters in Political Science from Chittagong University, he started working as a dance teacher at Quantum Foundation. He is still getting the salary he used to get as a dance teacher. And the body burial is done as a volunteer.
Although Sanjiboni Sudha considers herself a woman, she is currently working as a team leader for a men’s team. Assisting in the burial of men’s bodies. He said, ‘There is a specific dress code for those who work in this team. While doing this work, there is no need to hear any adverse comments from the deceased’s relatives or other people. There is no hindrance to work. The foundation is paying maximum attention to the health of the workers.
Sanjiboni Sudha also said, ‘It is not certain when someone will die or when the call will be made. So in that sense I have no leisure. Always be prepared. We have to do the work in compliance with other hygiene rules including protective clothing PP.
He had to be embarrassed:
Although Sanjiboni Sudha considers herself a woman, she is currently working as a team leader for a men’s team. Assisting in the burial of men’s bodies. He said, ‘There is a specific dress code for those who work in this team. While doing this work, there is no need to hear any adverse comments from the deceased’s relatives or other people. There is no hindrance to work. The foundation is paying maximum attention to the health of the workers.
Sanjiboni Sudha also said, ‘I stayed with my family until I studied HSC. But people not only misbehaved with me, but also badmouthed my family members whenever they got a chance. They harassed me in many ways. I was forced to leave home about 8 years ago. Only sister and other family members are in contact. I also got financial support from my family for my studies. Now I can’t go back home because of the fear of people. I can’t even meet anyone.’
Reasons Sanjeevani considers herself lucky:
Sanjiboni Sudha considers it a blessing that she got the opportunity to do the work of burial. She expressed her gratitude to all concerned for being able to do the work for a year despite being a transgender woman. He said, “I have the number or account of how many dead bodies I have been able to help with the final farewell so far.” But for me, the work is bigger than the numbers. I want to say goodbye to everyone with the touch of compassion.
