HOW FAR THINGS WOULD GO…..(Continuation from my previous blog)

HOW FAR THINGS WOULD GO…..(Continuation)

(To understand this blog please read my previous blog dated 18th Jan 2010)

While I was about to take some rest after that early morning quest, my dad had called me and he had offered me Tirupati airport helpline. I thought I would check the necessary requirements to take the coffin back to their home town (Delhi). I rang the phone to that number and they connected me Jet airways counter. I spoke to the executive pertaining to the requirements for the coffin and flights available in the afternoon or in the evening.

The requirements are as follows:

1.     No-Objection/ Clearance certificate from the local police station stating this is a natural death and not a planned one.

2.     Doctor certificate stating the nature of the death, approximate time of the death and cause for the same.

3.     Embalming certificate – stating the dead body is free from poisonous chemicals and body is not poisoned.

4.     Certificate from the authorized coffin agency, which confirms that coffin is packed properly as per international standards and does not contain any thing other than dead body.

The quest has all started again. I was wondering could I arrange these before uncle’s relatives arrive here. Hmmmm….but how?

Mom and my aunt were trying to calm down depressed aunt, I went up and monitored the situation for a while, and we have power cuts in Tirupati between 7:30 and 8:30. Normally it would be little hot as it was being summer. Hand fans are the only mantra to get away with the scorching heat. Her mobile was almost dead so I kept it for charging and now she started receiving calls. She made couple of calls etc. Unexpectedly I received a call from local superintend of police asking me if I need any help pertaining to any thing. He said he is going to going to send one constable to our home. Now things I thought would be difficult is pretty easy now.

I have taken bath and had couple of hot idly with Sambar, which is of authentic South Indian taste. Then I called up my family doctor, checked with him if he could arrange for an embalming and Death certificate. My dad had convinced him saying its fine as police is also with us. I can endorse the death certificate as it was Saturday and the Municipal office was closed. Constable had called me up and I have given him directions towards my home. We have collected a letter from the aunt stating the purpose of visit and it’s a kind of request placing to the local police to provide necessary documents. Letter also states that it was just casual death and she does not have any issues towards any one pertaining to this death. I have collected uncle’s visiting card, He is a labor officer in Gurgaon and we both went to police station, then Inspector had signed the letter.  Straight we went to our family doctor and we have taken embalming and death certificate and got it endorsed by the police (instead of municipality). Doctor charged 500 Rs for the certificate.

It was 12:00 in the afternoon by the time I collect necessary documents, but as I thought only challenge was coffin and coffin clearance certificate. But by then I received a call from their relatives saying they were going to reach tirupati in some time.  I have guided them to the home. Suddenly the environment had tuned sad and we have offered them a cool juice to aunty and their relatives. Her son was also there and he was as disappointed as her mom. I could able to manage to talk to his cousin and explained all the procedure for the traveling. He asked me to check if any flight is traveling from Chennai and we have checked. They have suggested us couple of coffin makers near by. We have given a ring to them and checked if the documents are fine.

Around 3:00 in the afternoon we had taken them to the hospital where uncles body was preserved temporarily. Again it was the same drama there, every one was behind money. For our bad luck we tried to book an ambulance van to the Chennai, but they all formed a cartel there and we have to take the help of same driver who created nuisance in the morning. Except that he was drunk at that time. Then we lifted the dead body in to the ambulance and that is when I could able to see the uncle’s face. They were all headed to Chennai and I could able to spoke to them in the night and they told they were about to leave Chennai.

Whole point of the story is there is no one who was willing to help here with out monetary benefit. Either it was the travel cars driver, attendant of the hospital, doctor who had given the certificates, police who helped because he got a call from the DIG of the state and from the home ministry or the ambulance driver they were all helped because of a monetary benefit. Of course there is no free lunch, but little love and respect is what is required at this situation. Remember it might happen to you as well. Point to catch is that now I have put an entire procedure in front of you for transporting a dead body from one place to another place in our country.

Imagine what would be the case if am not there. She would have committed suicide. People needs care and love more than money.

HELP OTHERS…………..