From picking up mortal remains at the doorstep to facilitating post-cremation funeral rites, this new crematorium offers a value-added combo pack!
Govinda Dhamam, the temple city’s first gas-fired crematorium developed with a financial outlay of ₹3 crore on Karakambadi Road boasts of a computerised registration system, halls for holding last rites and memorial meetings, lockers to store ash, a tonsuring centre, toilets, R.O. and ultra-violet treated water and a separate waiting hall for women-specific rituals. Topping it all is the CCTV camera-cum-Wi-Fi facility to let the NRIs watch the funeral rites of their near and dear by obtaining their IP address.
The idea germinated with the survey conducted by the Rotary Club of Tirupati in 2014 on the shabby conditions prevailing in burial grounds that called for a new system driven by clean environment and green energy. With the Arya Vysya Officials and Professionals Association (AVOPA) and Veerabahu Satya Harischandra Hindu Rudrabhoomi Society also chipping in, the idea gathered momentum and led to the formation of Mahaprasthana Seva Samithi, an organisation with a wider outlook. “Death has to be decent enough to bid adieu to the noble souls,” says samithi president T. Damodaram. “Compared to the heavy expenditure involved for a funeral, we charge a mere ₹3,000 from pick up to post-cremation rites,” says co-treasurer Purushotham Patel, who is also the Rotary president. “Aadhaar linkage is in place to ensure identity of the deceased,” Rotary past president V. Jayaram Prasad adds.
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'Donate for a cremation'
There is a charity scheme for philanthropists to contribute for cremation of orphan and unattended bodies. “In fact, donations have already poured in for the first 100 bodies of orphans,” avers Rotarian G. Balaji Chowdary, while inviting public contribution. One can dial 9553535655 or 9966663108 to book a vehicle for a free pick up within a radius of 10 km. The facility will be formally declared open by Minister for Industries N. Amarnatha Reddy on Oct 22 (Sunday).