TDP MLA sleeps in crematorium to drive away fear among construction workers | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

TDP MLA sleeps in crematorium to drive away fear among construction workers

Hindustan Times, Hyderabad | By
Jun 24, 2018 05:41 PM IST

Nimmala Rama Naidu, representing Palakole assembly constituency, had his dinner at the crematorium and slept on a folding cot.

Telugu Desam Party MLA from Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district braved mosquito bites and garbage stench to sleep in a crematorium in his Palakole town on Friday night in order to drive away fear among the construction workers engaged in its modernisation.

Nimmala Rama Naidu had gotten <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>3 crore sanctioned by the government eight months ago to construct a new crematorium in place of the old one.(HT PHOTO)
Nimmala Rama Naidu had gotten 3 crore sanctioned by the government eight months ago to construct a new crematorium in place of the old one.(HT PHOTO)

Nimmala Rama Naidu, representing Palakole assembly constituency, had his dinner at the crematorium and slept on a folding cot. He went home in the morning only to return to the graveyard in the afternoon to oversee the construction works.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“I am going to sleep in the same place for another two or three days. This is to instil confidence among the workers, who were otherwise scared of entering the premises to take up the construction,” Naidu said.

According to him, the Hindu crematorium in the town remained neglected for decades.

“There are no proper facilities for cremation of dead bodies. The entire cremation ground is slushy during rainy season and one cannot even step into the place. There is no water facility for the people to take a bath after cremating the deceased. What is more, there is a huge garbage dumping yard just adjacent to it emanating stench,” he said.

Following several representations from locals, the MLA got an amount of 3 crore sanctioned by the government eight months ago to construct a new crematorium in its place.

“We wanted to completely modernise the place by developing a garden, constructing new platforms for cremating the bodies, bathrooms and providing other facilities. Unfortunately, no contractor was forthcoming to take up works, though we called tenders twice,” he said.

Finally, Naidu managed to find a contractor to do the work a couple of months ago, but the workers were scared.

A few days ago, while working, they noticed a partially burnt corpse and got frightened, fearing ghosts and spirits, and refused to continue work, he said.

That is when the idea struck Naidu to sleep in the crematorium to prove that there are no evil forces and there was nothing to be frightened of.

“I slept in the premises the whole night. And the trick worked. On Saturday, about 50 workers returned to work to resume the construction,” he said and hoped that more people would join in the next couple of days.

Asked whether he had faced any difficulty in sleeping in the crematorium, Naidu said: “Yeah, there were too many mosquitoes. And, of course, I had to bear with foul smell from the dumping yard. I am getting a mosquito net for the cot tonight.”

The first time MLA was candid in admitting that he had to take up such programmes to appease people. “After all, elections to the state assembly are not very far. We need to be in the good books of the people,” he said.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Srinivasa Rao is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Hyderabad covering developments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He has over three decades of reporting experience.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On