T’gana Sikh Mayor moots funeral at Rs1

Naveen S Garewal

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Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, May 21

Ravinder Singh may easily pass off as any other Sikh on a visit to Telangana, but his chaste Telugu takes non-locals by surprise. Born and brought up in Andhra Pradesh, Ravinder has risen to the position of Mayor of Karimnagar town.

A staunch Sikh, he chose to join the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to find avenues to follow the ‘rehat maryada’ as preached by the Gurus. Ravinder, a confidant of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, has come up with a scheme to facilitate cremation for the poor at a mere Re 1.

“This will help the poor and those from the middle class families to bid adieu to their loved ones with respect and dignity,” he says. The Karimnagar Municipal Corporation (KMC) will extend the assistance without asking any questions.

Ravinder is often seen at TRS conventions and rallies across the state sporting a white safari suit, red turban and a pink TRS insignia scarf. His mission is to serve people in line with the “teachings of the Gurus”.

“Many people are unable to give their departed family members a decent farewell due to the high cost involved,” he says. To help such people, the KMC has taken the responsibility of cremating the body at Re 1. This includes providing flowers, garlands, firewood, sandalwood pieces, ghee, kerosene and clothing for the person performing the funeral.

Citing Guru Gobind Singh’s shabad “Manas ki jaat sabhe eakae pachanabo” that recognises all of mankind as a single caste of humanity, Ravinder says for those who bury their dead, the KMC will help perform the last rites as per their rituals. It will also arrange two vehicles for the funeral procession. Ravinder has been donating money from his pocket for the funeral of the poor for the past 10 years and is actively involved in solemnising the marriage of couples from poor families.

The last rites, he says, can cost as much as a marriage, especially among the Hindus due to elaborate rituals. So, he has used his position in the KMC to earmark a budget of Rs 1.1 crore for the purpose. The scheme — “Antim Yatra” or “Aakhri Safar” (final procession) — will be formally launched on June 15.