₹24 lakh raised in 24 hours for family of deceased Delhi sewage worker

In an unprecedented move, users of Twitter and other social media came together to raise ₹24 lakh for the family of a sewage worker, who died of asphyxiation in New Delhi.

Anil (37) breathed his last on Friday, September 14 while he was cleaning a Delhi Jal Board sewer in Dabri. He had been hired by a nearby resident, Satbir Kala. Satbir didn’t provide any protection gear to Anil. Satbir Kala allegedly ignored warnings that the rope being used for the labourers’ safety was weak and could snap.

Anil lived with his wife Rani and three children in a rented room in Dabri Extension. As per a news report, Anil passed away just six days after his four-month child died of pneumonia.

On Monday, a journalist Shiv Sunny posted a photo of Anil’s son with his body on Twitter along with a message that the family didn’t have money for Anil’s cremation.

After seeing the photo, many Twitterati extended their support and asked how they could help the family. Shiv Sunny then shared the bank account details of Anil’s wife for people to donate.

Meanwhile, Rahul Verma of Uday Foundation contacted the online crowdfunding website Ketto to take the initiative for a fundraising campaign. As per the Ketto campaign, a neighbour in the locality where Anil died had arranged the money for the last rites.

“The funds shall be utilised for the education & well-being of the children and dignified life for the family. Some amount will be deposited as fix(ed) deposit for future,” read the Ketto campaign pitch.

The entire target of ₹24 lakh was raised by the campaign for Anil’s family in under 24 hours.