Shabby treatment for the dead

KOCHI: Where do we bury or cremate our dead? The question is relevant in a city like Kochi where hardly any crematorium is properly maintained.The pathetic condition of the crematoria is a testimony to Kochi Corporation’s lethargic attitude towards the basic needs of the public.Most of the eight crematoria in the city are in a bad shape and complaints are pouring in regarding the poor facilities there.Besides, there are apprehensions on the lack of a monitoring system.The eight crematoria in the city are at Pachalam, Pullepady, Ravipuram, Fort Kochi, Edappally, Palluruthy, Chellanam and Mattanchery.Sri Ramakrishna Sevasram trustee and social worker C S Muraleedharan, who has been fighting for proper maintenance of the crematoria, says that there is no mechanism for disposing of the dead bodies.He adds that the whole process can be done in an effective manner if there is a participatory mechanism.“The corporation, care taker of crematoria and others involved should come under the participatory programme which could help in the proper maintenance of the crematoria,” he said.Ernakulam Karayogam secretary P Ramachandran has expressed the same view.“The corporation is least bothered about the proper maintenance of the crematoria,” he said and added that in a growing city like Kochi, one should think of multistorey crematorium like that in Japan.“As there are space constraints in Kochi, multistorey crematorium would be a better option,” he said.BJP Ernakulam district member and BJP Linguistic Minority State convener C G Rajagopal said though many voluntary organisations had come forward with new ideas, the corporation had a lukewarm attitude.“Land is a big issue in the city.In the future, disposal of bodies will not only be a problem for Hindus, but also for Christians, Muslims and other religions.The corporation is not taking any steps that would be beneficial in the long run,” he said and added that there was a need for establishing modern crematoria.“There is a shortage of firewood all over.The only option is to go for electric or gas crematoria that are more eco-friendly,” he said.Unny, the caretaker at the Pachalam crematorium, said it is political interference that is behind all the irregularities in the crematoria.He added that the convenience of the people is given no regard.Despite the complaints regarding the lethargic attitude of the corporation, the authorities maintain that things are running smooth.Town Planning Committee chairman K J Sohan said that there were crematoria that are in good shape.“But, some are not being properly used,” he added.Corporation Engineer Jolly Varghese, who is in charge of the crematoria in Kochi, said that almost all of them were in a good condition.