[All] Susan 's column this week: Scattering cremated human remains in river raises Grand questions

[Susan Bryant]

So well done, Susan—-with respect and sensitivity, clear information, and a firm message. Your email came just as I finished watching news about the overflow, ad hoc cremation pyres in parking lots in Delhi. In one of the the most air-polluted city in the world, with so many suffering from respiratory issues from Covid on top of that, this is beyond crazy.

Unfortunately, India’s Prime Minister Modi is a Hindu nationalist, not inclined to consider and encourage new, progressive ways of doing things that take into account the pandemic or climate change—since these would not advance his popularity and political future. He allowed the Kumbha Mela to go ahead—-the largest gathering of human beings on earth— and did nothing to limit other Hindu festivals which involve massive gatherings. The country is now reaping the consequences.

I have boated on the sacred Ganges, where any good Hindu wants his/her cremation to take place—beside the river, and then ashes in it. But the sacred river is gross. Since many can’t afford to pay for enough cremation wood, partially cremated body parts are the usual in the river.

But I’m glad to report that my daughter Emma in India is fine. She doesn’t live a major city, so the pandemic is not so vicious where she is. However, she and most of her Indian family have had Covid, though mild cases (pre variants) now resolved. She sent this cheerful picture of her back garden yesterday. There are papaya, banana, mango and lime to harvest there at the moment. Life goes on.

Thanks for your excellent piece, as always.

Susan B
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Sent from my iPad

On Apr 28, 2021, at 1:36 PM, Susan Koswan <susankoswan at execulink.com<mailto:susankoswan at execulink.com>> wrote:

HI GRENers,

City of Cambridge was approached for permission to scatter cremated remains in Grand River. I said no, if anyone was wondering...

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/2021/04/28/scattering-cremated-human-remains-in-river-raises-grand-questions.html

Best,
Susan K

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