Troubles for the tragedy-hit family of Munnelal Sharma, who succumbed to cancer yesterday morning, multiplied when they were left with no cash for his cremation.
They then approached a branch of Bank of India in Ghaziabad’s Navyug Market, but unfortunately, there was no cash in the bank.
Understanding the situation the family was reeling in, the manager of the bank, AK Jain, extended a helping hand.
When the granddaughter of the late Sharma reached the bank to withdraw some money but couldn’t due to the cash deficit, Jain went out of his way and gave her Rs 7000 to perform the last rites.
Ironically, on Monday, a day before he died, Sharma had come to the same bank with his granddaughter to withdraw some money to buy medicines. But, the bank was cashless even then.
“My grandfather was suffering from cancer and in the last few days he was not keeping well. On Monday he had asked me to escort him to the bank so that he could withdraw money he needed for medicines,” Munnelal's 17-year-old granddaughter Neha said.
“There was a long queue outside the bank but still I managed to enter. However, I was told that there was no cash. My grandfather then requested the bank manager to do something, and the manager asked us to come back on Tuesday,” she added.
So, when she went there again the next day, the bank manager recognised her and told that the bank has not received any cash till yet.
“We had no cash at home and needed money to conduct his last rites. So I rushed to the bank,” Neha said, adding, “There was no cash in the bank. But the bank manager spoke with one of his customers and asked him to lend Rs 10,000. And then he gave another Rs 7,000 from his own pocket for the cremation.”
On getting to know about the demise of Sharma, Jain then decided to lend the money.
“On Tuesday, Neha came to me and informed me of Munnelal's demise and asked me to help her withdraw cash. But I was helpless as there was no cash in the bank,” he said.
