Cremation of dead bodies during calamities is a Herculean task. Currently, the death toll is over 130 at Wayanad due to a series of landslides and heavy downpours and it is increasing. Due to incessant and disturbing showers and a lack of materials like firewood, etc, the cremation services are being hampered. At this tragic hour, the RSS-inspired Sevabharati is on the site with “Chitagni”, an LPG-powered mobile cremation system and it has started the cremation of the dead bodies left after post mortem.
Initially, Sevabharati developed the mobile cremation ‘Chitagni’ to address the land and economic challenges of Keralites.
Cremation is a sacred tradition that involves many rituals. Financial expenses for preparing pyre according to the customs is one of many reasons, people opting for Chitagni’. In most cases, the houses are built on two or three cents land, sans sufficient courtyard to prepare a pyre, and houses are crowded and built without much space in between. In the cases of colonies, the premises are flood-prone during monsoon. Moreover, the rules of local self-government bodies do not permit cremation (and burial) in residential areas where houses are crowded.
Sevabharati’s mobile cremation system permits one to get his or her dear one’s dead body cremated with all the dignities it deserves and requires traditional rituals. The dears and nears can reciprocate the love, to the departed souls, which they got from them when they were alive. Cremation will be over in a couple of hours. It enjoys local self-government bodies’ permission.
Sevabharati sources indicate that even Christian communities use the Sevabharati cremation units when the cemeteries of the churches lack sufficient space for funerals. The people of Kerala have accepted this Sevabharati project with respect and regard.
Chitagni was the dream project of the late Dr. P. Chidambaram, the RSS Kottayam Vibhag Sanghchalak, and president of the Meenachil River Basis Hindu Mahasabha. However, his wish did not materialise while he was alive. But, a year after his sad demise, the trust formed to launch a suitable memorial for the departed leader started a mobile cremation unit, a revolutionary beginning in the field of cremation of dead bodies. Coconut shells were used as the fuel. Not even a glimpse of the flame came out. It was a well-designed system useful for households with a negligible area of the courtyard, to perform the last rites. Due to the tall smoke pipes, the cremation did not create any inconvenience even to the people next door.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the death toll went up beyond imagination, the public crematoriums were overcrowded with dead bodies. At the same time, the protocol for the funeral was stringent. Mobile units came to the rescue of the people on such occasions. Even Christians utilised this system during those days. The lack of space in the cemeteries was the main reason for it.
“Chitagni” is one of the most humanitarian and innovative projects in the arena of seva activities.
