Separated by corona, Tamil Nadu Army jawan says farewell to Amma on WhatsApp

Salem: Sakthivel, a 42-year-old Army jawan, broke down as he saw his mother's mortal remains one last time before her final rites were performed.

He is posted at a station in Rajasthan. She was put to rest in the family village of Azhagagoundanur near Mechery in Salem district of Tamil Nadu.

Two thousand kilometres apart, they were bridged by a WhatsApp video call. This has become the way of bereavement in the age of the coronavirus.

Maadhu Ammal, 65, died on Monday after a prolonged illness. Sakthivel's father broke the news to him on the mobile phone. After the shock of sad tidings, came the question of the son being there to perform the last rites.

The hapless son knew it was out of question to secure his passage past multiple barricades and lockdown laws.

"Appa, I’m unable to come,” sobbed the son. “Please do the burial rites for Amma."

The grieving father set up a WhatsApp video call to show his wife's final visage to the son for his last glimpse of her.

Upon seeing the grainy image, Sakthivel wept like a child. The video has gone viral in social media in Salem district today, bringing a tear to every eye.