When we think of a crematorium, we normally get a frightening picture in our mind. The swayamsevaks of Chakarkotda village in East Kutch region of Gujarat took up a project for renovating a crematorium. The daily shakha here began about seven years back. The swayamsevaks took the local villagers together and started the work of converting the crematorium into a beautiful place.
In the beginning, some trees were planted there. Over 60 saplings of different varieties were planted and proper arrangements were made for their irrigation also. Then, some potholes were filled. The local people also came together and offered help. Then they together decided to renovate the crematorium, which was then in a very bad shape. The swayamsevaks constituted a committee and started development activities with the permission of the Gram Panchayat. The work of building the boundary wall, rooms for keeping wood, water tap, a main gate, stone chairs, etc. began. Again some more saplings were planted. The local MLA was requested to build a CC road from village to the crematorium. The result of all these activities is that the swayamsevaks still play a key role in all village development activities.
(Janakbhai Dave)
