MNS leader throws bash in neglected village crematorium

Mumbai: The sorry state of the sole crematorium in Versave, a tribal dominated hamlet, speaks volumes about the utter neglect by the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and insensitivity of those in power. Situated on the outskirts of Ghodbunder village, it has a broken pyre, which is lost amidst overgrown shrubs, and offers mourners no facilities such as drinking water, electricity, shelter from the elements or any place to sit.

To expose the apathy of officials, Anu Patil, a young MNS leader, chose the crematorium as the venue to celebrate her birthday in a symbolic manner.

“For a long time now we have been demanding basic facilities, but the authorities have little time to spare a thought for its dead. The civic chief has said he would do the needful; let's see if this move drills some sense in the mind of officials,” said Ms Patil, who heads the party’s women's wing in the Ovala-Maji-wada Assembly segment.

She also donated chairs, benches and stand-by lighting equipment to ease the woes of villagers. Be it heavy rains during monsoon or the scorching summer heat, villagers have no other option but to perform the last rites of departed souls under the open sky.