HYDERABAD: Days after the department of posts announced the launch of its ‘Asthi Visarjan’ initiative, Telangana has started the process of rolling it out to people from the state.
The purpose: To allow families of those who succumbed to Covid-19, the opportunity to immerse the ashes in Varanasi, Haridwar, Prayagraj or Gaya.
It’ll also facilitate families to conduct and watch the rituals (Shradha).
Officials said that the Telangana postal department is currently short-listing the post offices from the city and other districts that will open its doors for these bookings.
“Postal department officials are working out modalities to launch this unique facility for the benefit of hundreds of kith and kin of the deceased.
People who are unable to travel to Haridwar, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Gaya to immerse the ashes of their beloved family members due to lack of transportation problem, can avail of this facility,” said S Rajendra Kumar, chief postmaster general, Telangana postal circle.
The state recently received the ‘standard operating procedure’ from the mail business division of the department of posts.
The department has tied up with a socio-religious platform, Om Divya Darshan (ODD), that’s taken the responsibility of immersing the ashes, organising the Shradha rituals and also delivering ‘Ganga Jal’ to all those who enrol with them.
It also offers a ‘live webcast’ of the ceremony to the bereaved family members during the Shradha ceremony.
While the Asthis (ashes) have to be booked by the relatives of the deceased, the cost of sending Ganga Jal will be borne by ODD, said Rajendra Kumar.