Report by Swati
SONIPAT, Haryana: A deeply emotional incident from Haryana’s Sonipat has triggered widespread discussion on social media about changing family values and the growing isolation of elderly parents.
Shivcharan Gupta, a 74-year-old resident of an old age home in Sonipat, passed away while living at the facility. Despite having three daughters, none of them could be physically present for his final rites.
According to reports, the daughters—who live in Nepal, Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai—watched their father’s final journey and cremation through a video call. The eldest daughter transferred ₹5,100 online to cover the funeral expenses and requested the old age home staff to ensure that the last rites were performed according to Hindu traditions.
With no family members present, volunteers from the old age home and local residents came forward to perform the cremation at the crematorium, ensuring the elderly man received a dignified farewell.
The incident has drawn widespread attention on social media, where many users expressed concern over the loneliness faced by senior citizens and the changing dynamics of family relationships. Others urged people not to rush to judgment, noting that the circumstances preventing the daughters from attending in person are not fully known.
The case has once again highlighted the challenges faced by many elderly people living away from their families and has reignited conversations about emotional responsibility, family support, and the care of senior citizens in modern society.
