Editor,
On September 16, 2017, while attending the cremation of a relative at the Electric Crematorium, Barapathar, I got the shock of my life when I saw how the dead body was interred into the furnace. Those who have witnessed any cremation at this venue would agree with me if I say that it is a sight I would never ever like to recall in my life because it can be likened to a doomsday apocalyptic event where a person is thrown into the burning fire of hell. As it happened, after the dead body was carried by friends and relatives from home to the crematorium with love, care, honour and respect, the precious final moment of interring it into the electric furnace, which can be witnessed from the viewing gallery by all the near and dear ones of the deceased, presents a sorry and painful experience. As per the arrangement at the crematorium, everybody can see that the dead body is literally pushed or thrown into a burning furnace with red hot iron grills.
In a country where the dead body is treated with honour and respect while cremating or burying, the arrangement at the Electric Crematorium, Barapathar to inter the dead body into the furnace appears so disgusting and barbaric. Forty eight hours later I am still shocked and shaken with fear when I recall that moment when the dead body hits the red hot grills of the furnace. In fact, I cannot fathom the feelings and emotions of the near and dear ones of the deceased when they witness that moment because I know that they are still high on emotions. But my worst fear is that a flash of this moment at the crematorium can have severe health implications on the near and dear ones of the deceased as well as on those who cannot stand such sights.
My humble suggestions to the management of the Crematorium, Barapathar is to make the arrangement more friendly by taking examples from crematoriums elsewhere where the dead body is slowly lowered to the electric furnace which is fitted at a lower level beyond the sight of the viewers. This will not only allow the near and dear ones of the deceased to celebrate the final moment of cremation but it will also help prevent any kind of convulsion.
Yours etc.,
B J Syiemlieh
Shillong -5
NEC Rejoinder
Editor,
Under a news item headlined “Rs. 10 crore swindled: Manipur Speaker” under North-East Briefcase at page 4 in your esteemed daily of September 15, 2017, it has been alleged that Rs. 10 crore meant for opening a mechanized pottery unit has been swindled and that the fund was released by the North Eastern Council.
In this connection, we would like to place the following on record:
(i) At the request of the Govt. of Manipur, NEC had sanctioned a project titled “Special Type of Pottery and Stone Chip Allied Products Production at Nungbi, Ukhrul District, Manipur” at a total project cost of Rs. 3.42 crores (Rupees three crore forty two lakh only) in the Financial Year 2013-14. Out of this, NEC’s share is Rs. 3.08 crores (Rupees three crore eight lakh only) being 90% of the project cost and State Share is Rs. 0.34 crore (Rupees thity four lakh only). The project is being implemented by the Industries & Commerce Dept., Govt. of Manipur;
(ii) NEC has so far released 2 (two) installments totaling Rs. 2.59 crore (Rupees two crore fifty nine lakhs only) of which the last installment of Rs. 1.23 crore (Rupees one crore twenty three lakh only) was released in June 2017. In fact, we have been informed that the last installment is yet to be released to the Implementing Agency by the Govt. of Manipur;
(iii) As per the progress reports submitted by Govt. of Manipur, the physical progress of works is commensurate with the amount of funds released to the Implementing Agency.
As can be seen from the facts above, the statement that Rs. 10 crore has been swindled is factually incorrect. Moreover, this is an ongoing project under implementation by the State Govt. of Manipur.
Yours etc.,
Gautam Chintey
Adviser (BIT)