Burying the Covid dead: ‘Team Khorshed’ of Narayanganj recognised by Asia Book of Records

Team Khorshed, a team of volunteers led by Maksudul Alam Khandaker Khorshed, councillor of Ward 13 in Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), has been recognised by the Asia Book of Records for their efforts to serve humanity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Khorshed informed about the recognition in a press statement issued today.

Asia Book of Records is a platform where the record holders of all major National 'Book of Records' in Asia meet to compare, compete and claim the title of 'Asia Book of Records' Holder.

Today 'Asia Book of Records' has a strong database of 40,000 entries.

A courier carrying the certificate, medal and souvenir from Asia Book of Records headquarter in India arrived to Team Khorshed on Thursday, the statement read.

Councillor Khorshed with his team of volunteers came forward at a time when the closest people of those dead with Covid-19 or with symptoms would not carry on with the funeral proceedings.

Team Khorshed has been arranging for all measures to perform the last rites of anyone dying from Covid-19, irrespective of their religion, when their families face trouble over the funeral.

Councillor Khorshed attributed the recognition to the volunteers.

"This recognition is the fruit of the efforts of our volunteers. We will continue our work until the pandemic is over," he said in the statement.

Since March 8 in 2020, Team Khorshed has been relentlessly working to raise awareness among people by distributing 20,000 leaflets, 60,000 bottles of hand sanitisers, 10,000 bottles of liquid hand-wash, and food to needy families amid economic fallout during Covid-19 induced lockdown.

Also, they provided telemedicine services to around 15,000 people with their medical team comprised of 10 doctors.   

The team also provided free oxygen, plasma, and ambulance support to many people.

Around 9,000 families received a total of 170 tonnes of food assistance from Team Khorshed during the pandemic.

They have also organised funerals and last rites of 285 people, who died either with Covid-19 or with similar symptoms.