JOWAI: An eco-friendly crematorium was inaugurated at Nangbah Village in West Jaintia Hills at a cost of Rs.15,03,440 out of which Rs.5 lakh was funded by Lok Sabha member from Shillong, Vincent H Pala, through his MP Schemes and Rs.7 lakh by local MLA, Coming One Ymbon, through his MLA schemes.
The Sein Raij Nangbah – a religious organization – also contributed Rs.3.67 lakh for the construction.
In his keynote address, Sein Raij Nangbah general secretary, K. Lamare, said that the crematorium was christened E.S. Hadia Eco-Friendly Crematorium in memory of late E.S. Hadia, former Deputy Inspector of School, and founder of Sein Raij Nangbah (1982-2009).
“As a mark of respect to the contribution of Hadia toward the Sein Raij Nangbah, the name of the crematorium was christened E.S. Haida Eco-friendly Crematorium,” Lamare said.
In his inaugural speech, Pala lauded the initiative taken up by the Sein Raij Nangbah in implementing the scheme.
“The crematorium will not only help the people of the entire village but it will also help to protect the environment,” Pala said, adding, “We all have the responsibility to keep the environment clean and green.”
Pala also expressed his happiness to see the unity of the people under the banner of the Sein Raij Nangbah and encouraged the people to continue to support each other and be united as ‘unity is power’.
He also called upon the Sein Raij to preserve the culture and tradition of the Ka Niamtre.
Local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary in charge Mining and Geology, Coming One Ymbon informed that so far seven crematoriums have been constructed in Raliang Elaka while Sein Raij Jowai president, J.K. Passah, informed that 21 crematorium have been constructed in the district and many more were under construction.
“Any organization can obtain the No Objection Certificate from the Sein Raij Jowai if they wanted to construct such crematorium invented by late Kambel Shullai,” said the SRJ president who also expressed his gratitude to the State Government for providing financial assistance for construction of the crematorium.
The inaugural function was presided over by Dolloi Nangbah, R.M. Garod. West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner in charge D.M. Wahlang, local MDC S. Garod and Thadlaskein Block Development Officer, A.M. Lyngdoh also spoke on the occasion.