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Shareer (body) is a khet (farm field), atma (soul) is the kisan (farmer), and paap (sin) and poonya (merit) are two beej (seeds). The line is inscribed on the backrest of a bench donated by a certain Prashant Nagpal. Frankly speaking, this is the kind of place one hopes to steer clear of as long as possible.

Owing to its nearness to Delhi’s VVIP homes, Lodhi Road crematorium pops up in the news each time a very, very important person passes to the great unknown. The cremation ground’s true name is Dayanand Muktidham, and is entered through Lala Lajpat Rai Road, which does intersect, some distance away, with the aforementioned Lodhi Road. The crematorium’s gateway faces the CBI headquarters, and is topped with a gently ascending slope, as if to facilitate the soul to climb to a higher place. A stretch of the long boundary wall is painted with a series of birds, their white wings flapped open, as if perched on the precipice of a profound departure.

Here is a sense of the revered place, as experienced by reading some of its many signages.

On a banner under a tin shed:

“…In an ever changing world, there is nothing worthwhile for us to desire, or weep, for joys and sorrows are bound to come…”

On a shed in the cremation area:

“Main kaun hoon? (Who am I?)”

Excerpts from a Hindi poem inscribed in memory of Shrimati Seema Tandon of Akriti Apartments in IP Extension:

“…The pyres burn laughingly every day,

So many happy worlds are burned,

So many hopes are erased...”

Over the drinking water taps:

“Dehdan (donating a body) is important for the education and research of medical students.”

On the banner of the crematorium’s canteen:

“Water, neembu paani and cold drinks are available. Bisleri mineral water is also sold.”

On a plaque beside a gate:

“Improvements done by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited —

Renovation and carpeting in prayer and condolence halls.

Exhaust fans at pyre area.”

On a wall in the cremation area:

“Asthiyan (bones) can be kept here for a month, after which they will be immersed in the Ganga. Note: Keeping the ashes is prohibited.”

“Sarve karmvasha vayam (Karma controls all)”

Punjab and Haryana HC allows Gian Sagar to make BDS course admissions

The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed that Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Banur, be allowed to make admissions in Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) course for the academic session 2022-2023. The high court bench of Justice Sudhir Mittal acted on the plea from the college which had challenged the central government's decision of denying permission for course renewal.

Bathinda all set to get a big development push

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Punjab: VB arrests PUDA peon for accepting ₹ 12,000 bribe

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Crop loss: Abohar farmer dies 10 days after consuming poison

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Punjab Civil Medical Services Association : Docs in Aam Aadmi Clinics should be hired through proper channel

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