Amid grief and silence at the funeral of Prateek Yadav in Lucknow, a small and tender moment between Akhilesh Yadav and his young niece quietly touched the hearts of many who later watched the video online.
Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, passed away on May 13 at the age of 38 after reportedly suffering from serious cardiac and lung-related complications, including pulmonary embolism. His funeral was held at Baikunth Dham (Bhainsa Kund) Crematorium, where thousands gathered to bid him a final farewell.
Family members, political leaders, and supporters arrived to pay their respects. Among those present were Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, senior party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, and several other leaders and relatives of the Yadav family.
Prateek’s wife Aparna Yadav attended the last rites along with their two daughters, Prathama, aged 12, and five-year-old Padmaja. The atmosphere at the crematorium remained heavy with emotion as the family sat together during the final rituals.
It was during this quiet moment that something simple yet deeply human happened.
Akhilesh Yadav was seated in the front row alongside Shivpal Yadav. Little Padmaja sat beside him, looking tired and overwhelmed after the long day. Noticing the child’s exhaustion, Akhilesh gently handed her a chocolate.
The young girl tried to open the wrapper but struggled. She softly showed it to him, and Akhilesh calmly unwrapped it for her before giving it back. Padmaja accepted the chocolate and quietly thanked him.
For a brief second, the little girl’s face brightened. In the middle of mourning and ritual, that small act brought a hint of comfort.
Short video clips of the moment soon surfaced on social media, where many viewers described it as a deeply touching gesture. People wrote that in moments of grief, it is often the smallest acts of kindness that stay with us the longest.
Several members of the extended Yadav family were present during the funeral, including Dharmendra Yadav and Akshay Yadav. Prateek’s mother-in-law Ambi Bisht was also seen seated among the family members.
Despite belonging to one of Uttar Pradesh’s most influential political families, Prateek Yadav largely stayed away from active politics. Those who knew him say he preferred a private life focused on business and personal interests.
Friends and acquaintances remember him as someone passionate about fitness, bodybuilding, luxury cars, and animals. People in Saifai and Lucknow often described him as polite, soft-spoken, and respectful.
After learning about his stepbrother’s death, Akhilesh Yadav had rushed to King George’s Medical University. Speaking briefly to reporters there, he remembered Prateek as “a very good young man” and said he had known him since childhood. He also recalled advising him during their last meeting to continue taking care of his health.
As the Yadav family mourns the sudden loss, the quiet moment between a grieving uncle and a young child has become a gentle reminder of humanity amid sorrow — a simple gesture that many people online say they will not easily forget.