Aditi loses her parents to coronavirus

Aditi Das, a journalist and cultural activist from Sylhet, lost her mother and father to the deadly coronavirus just a day apart.

She is also currently fighting with the deadly virus and during these tough moments, she had to go through the funerals of both of her parents.

Aditi's father was also suffering from cancer.

On October 6, Aditi's mother Renuka Chowdhury (68) tested positive for coronavirus. Later, her father Nikunja Bihari Das (72) also tested positive for the dreaded virus.

Aditi's mother was admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital in Sylhet after her condition deteriorated.

She breathed her last at around 5 am on Monday at the hospital. Nikunja Bihari Das died at 9 am on Tuesday, a day after his wife's death.

Nikunja Bihari Das, a retired mathematics teacher, used to teach at the Blue-Bird School in Sylhet.

His only son lives in India. His wife, Renuka, is also a retired teacher.

As her brother was out of the country and unable to attend the funeral, Aditi had to perform the funeral rites of both of her parents maintaining health guidelines enforced due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Their last rites were performed at the crematorium in Chalibandar area of the city.

Aditi, who also worked as a staff online journalist at The Business Standard, said, "I had to perform the last rites of my mother the day everyone was immersing goddess Durga. I lost my father the very next day."

"I just one blow of earth-shattering news after another," added Aditi.