Thirupunam: Chief Secretary V. Irayanbu has sent a letter to the District Collectors asking them to renovate the unmaintained cemeteries in Tamil Nadu and convert them into green cemeteries. However, Tiruppuvanam Municipality Chairman Sengaimaaran has built these green cemeteries 10 years ago at his own expense.
There are cemeteries of 2 acres each at 2 places in Tiruppuvanam Municipality, Budur and Nelmudikarai. Both of them were maintenance free. In 2011, when his wife Vasanthi was the Municipal President, Sengaimaran renovated the 2 cemeteries at his own expense.
He planted 100 coconut saplings and mango, jackfruit and guava saplings each in these cemeteries. He constructed a bore well and appointed watchmen to maintain them. The trees have been bearing fruit for several years. The revenue generated by this goes to the municipal administration. At present 6 CCTV cameras are installed each to prevent anti-social elements from entering the cemetery.
Located along the National Highway, these cemeteries look like a green oasis, so even the out-of-towners sit and rest without even looking at the cemetery.
Senkai Maran said: I converted the cemeteries into parks to prevent the inconvenience to those who come to bury the dead in our town. Nowadays, those who come here feel as if they are entering a green garden. It gives me great soul satisfaction.
It is customary to plant a banana tree at the burial site. Also, we are constructing a modern crematorium at Nelmudikarai cemetery on behalf of the government at a cost of Rs.1.80 crore. This is what he said.
