The Daughter of Unclaimed Souls – The Story of Pooja Sharma

 A Journey Born from Tragedy

In 2022, Pooja Sharma’s life changed forever when her elder brother was brutally murdered before her eyes. With her father in a coma and her mother already deceased, Pooja stood alone. Defying traditional gender norms, she tied a turban and performed his last rites herself. This moment of profound loss birthed a mission: ensuring no one leaves this world without dignity.

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Over 6,000 Final Farewells
Since that day, Pooja has become the "heir" to those forgotten by society. Operating through her NGO, the Bright the Soul Foundation, she has cremated more than 6,000 unclaimed bodies.

• The Ritual: She handles everything from tying the shroud to lighting the pyre.
• Final Peace: Every month during Amavasya, she travels to Haridwar to immerse the ashes in the Ganges.
• Faith Inclusive: She performs rites according to the deceased's faith, ensuring respect for all.

Fighting Stigma and Scarcity
Her path has not been easy. She has faced intense societal backlash, with some branding her the "companion of ghosts". The stigma was so severe that her own engagement was called off.

Funding this mission costs approximately ₹1,20,000 per month. To keep going, Pooja has used her savings, her grandmother’s pension, and even sold her mother’s wedding jewelry.

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Global Recognition
Despite the challenges, her courage has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring and Influential Women. Today, she stands as a beacon of humanity, proving that compassion has no gender and every life deserves a dignified end.

Pooja reminds us: "I am their everything now. If I don’t show up, then who will?"

Let’s salute this real-life hero! 🙌✨