A dream for providing a better facility for cremating the dead became a reality yesterday with the grand opening of the Blairmont Crematorium & Memorial Garden (BCMG).
President of the BCMG, Nowrang Persaud said that the crematorium, located within a garden environment is symbolic in bringing the cycle of life and death together.
He had said earlier that, “The cremation reminds you that there is life in the form of the flower and the trees and that would dominate the ambience.”
Another special feature is that the facility is geared at encouraging greater unity, collaboration, co-operation and peace among the various races, religions and cultures. The first cremation would be held tomorrow at the facility by a Christian family.
Vice chairman, Tikeshwar Dyal said that although the project is not yet complete, the facility, which is a gem to the community and belongs to everyone is still very beautiful.
He hoped that it would be well-maintained and serve as a positive addition to the community.
Among those making brief remarks were: leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan; Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, vice-chairman of A Partnership for National Unity; Magistrate Chandra Sohan, Vic Oditt and businessman Toolsie Persaud.
Well-wishes also came from the chairman of Region Six, David Armogan as well as Region Five chairman, Bindrabhan Bisnauth, who has promised that the road leading to the crematorium would be fixed.
Apart from performing cremations, persons can also hold funeral services before heading to the adjacent burial ground. They can also utilize the facility to conduct memorial services.
Many persons were thrilled that the swampy plot of land donated by GuySuCo had undergone a massive transformation.
Persons would not be charged to use the facility but would be asked to donate generously. Spaces in the building would also be sold to persons wishing to display pictures of dead relatives.
It is equipped with a pavilion that has a seating capacity of about 200 and a memorial hall at the top flat while the bottom flat houses a refreshment centre, washroom facility for ladies and an auditorium.
Persaud said that in recognition of the dedication, hard work and devotion of Dyal, members of the BCMG have agreed to name the auditorium after him – the Tikesh Dyal auditorium. He also kept the name a secret from Dyal and made the surprise announcement yesterday.
Likewise, Dyal surprised the members of the BCMG and the audience with an original song that rhymed with ‘Suhani Raat.’ The lyrics included the initiative of Persaud and the contributions of various donors.
Three students who were among others who participated in an essay competition were selected to read their essays at the event. They were also assisted to cut the ribbon by a male and female from the audience.
Idea of the crematorium
The idea for the crematorium was conceived a few years ago when Persaud’s mother died. It had struck him that they “had to fetch the dead a long way and stand in the sun for a long time. And there was no bathroom facility.”
Since then, he had told this newspaper, he “attended a few more cremations and the idea of establishing the facility became a burning obsession.”
He also thought that “we can do better than the makeshift arrangement,” referring to the No 2 foreshore. He had hoped to “someday make a contribution to improving the physical facilities that were necessary for an upscale, modern and a less primitive form of getting rid of the dead.” Although it took a long time before it became a reality, “the idea never died.” Upon his return to Guyana and with the help of Dyal – who had dedicated a lot of resources in improving the arrangements at the No 2 Foreshore – he got down to work.
A committee comprising community-minded persons and well-wishers was also formed. For one year Dyal, a remigrant has been going to the site from 5 am until late in the afternoon, even leaving his house that was under construction, halfway.
Persaud said that as a person who has spent most of his life in human resources development and management, the project should be seen as an effort to provide comfort and convenience to grieving families.
Gratitude was expressed to GuySuCo for donating the land as well many other companies and individuals that provided materials, cash and services.
A list posted on the wall mentioned donors including Toolsie Persaud Ltd., Ganesh Parts, David Persaud Invest-ments, Lakeram Harriprashad Sawmills, Bisnauth Singh of the USA, Narendra Hiralall and Gafsons Ltd.
