Caretaker of the Puzhuthivakkam Crematorium, Praveena Solomon has been chosen for a national award instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare to honour women who have taken the road less travelled. She will receive the award — ‘First Ladies: Exceptional Women Who Transcended Barriers To Be The First In Their Fields” — from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, in New Delhi on January 20.
Thirty-four-year-old Praveena is a staff of Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), a non-governmental organisation.
“In 2014, when ICWO got the contract to maintain a few crematoriums under Corporation, we had to assign caretakers at these facilities. Praveena was the only woman in our team who came forward to be a caretaker of one of the crematoriums, the Velankadu crematorium on New Avadi Road in Anna Nagar. With Praveena setting a precedent, other women staff of ICWO would later take charge of the crematoriums in Otteri, Thiruvotriyur, Mugalivakkam and Alandur.”
Taking charge of the 4.5-acre Velankadu crematorium, Praveena smartened it up, ridding it of the tell-tale signs of vandalism and poor maintenance. Praveena ensured its washrooms were cleaned twice a day, its seating arrangements were imporved and it received compost pits.
“Flowers from garlands and wreaths go into the compost pits. The manure thus generated is used to nurture the plants on the premises of the crematorium,” says Praveena, a resident of Anna Nagar.
One month into her job, Praveena struck out against touts who were offering for a fee services that came free at the crematorium. “I erected a board near the front gate listing the free services,” she says.
During the 2015 floods, Praveena kept open the gates of the Velankadu crematorium for longer, as many other crematoriums were not being operated. “During the floods, on an average, we received 13 to 14 bodies every day. Our regular working hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the floods though, we opened at 7 a.m. and closed for the day only at 8 p.m.,” says Praveena.
Three months ago, Praveena was posted to the Puzhuthivakkam crematorium near Pallikarani. Newly-planted saplings represent Praveena’s efforts to green the premises. Compost pits are expected to come up on the premises soon.
“This 3.5-acre Puzhuthivakkam crematorium was set up in November 2017. Unaware of this facility, many residents of the locality still go to other crematoriums, located faraway. So, we need to create awareness about this facility,” says Praveena, an English graduate from the University of Madras.
