Shantivanom loses Shanti as well as Vanom

KOCHI: Four years back, ‘Shantivanom’ at Maradu used to look more like a park than a crematorium. Today, it is deserted and weeded, and is on the brink of dilapidation. The sad state of ‘Shantivanom’ not only reflects underutilisation of funds worth Rs 1,10,00000 but also, insensitivity towards comforting the ceremony.The then Maradu panchayat president K Devassy, who implemented this project four years back, said that the Maradu Municipality authorities who are responsible for Shantivanom’s maintenance have given a cold shoulder to it.“The Maradu Municipality has nothing substantial to do rather than exert its will on the contractors who have been entrusted with the maintenance of Shantivanom.They are not even doing that,” he said.Devassy said that Shantivanom is modelled after a crematorium in London and is designed to have positive psychological effect on the people.“Cremation of a near and dear one is always tough to witness.However, being surrounded by nature gives an individual some comfort.That was the main idea behind this concept,” he said.Today, the area where bodies of infants and children are buried is marred beyond recognition with a weeded walkway and anyone who is not aware of the space would walk over.This is just one of the neglected corners of the park.Also, the fountain in the midst of the park near the crematorium is defunct.“The fountain is turned on before a body is brought for the cremation.It has dual purpose - firstly, the drizzle from the fountain eases the mind and secondly, one can use the water to wash hands after the cremation.However, it is defunct and the water in the small pond is polluted,” he said.Devassy also added that though a space has been allotted to dump the wreaths which are burned later, they are thrown carelessly into the lake behind it.“It was well kept during the first few years of initiation.But now there are hardly any efforts from the authorities,” said a local on condition of anonymity.When asked T K Devarajan, chairman, Maradu Municipality refuted the statement.He said that they have stopped using the fountain as the electricity bill had become enormous.However, Devassy negated the statement saying that the authority should not be bothered about it as the maintenance work has been done on contract.“The municipality did not have to spend a penny but only ensure proper maintenance work,” he said.Meanwhile, when told about the dilapidated state of the crematorium, Devarajan told ‘City Express’ that he would take steps to maintain it within one week.