In India countless numbers of unidentified and unclaimed dead bodies are sent to public crematoriums for cremation. Some unidentified dead bodies are also dumped near abandoned homes, isolated roads and left behind public hospitals. Due to prolonged exposure to the atmosphere, these dead bodies start rapidly decomposing, causing disfiguring of their facial features and body parts. This makes it even more difficult to identify them.
Piling up of such a high number of unclaimed bodies in our country can be a cause of a variety of different reasons; some would have lost their life in a road or rail accident, or one could have died while travelling or living far away from their home - pilgrims, migrants, old people abandoned by their children. Especially since India has been struck by COVID 19, hundreds of corpses, many suspected victims of the virus, are being dumped along northern riverbanks in India.
Our project, Karmic Seva, looks beyond mere life, it aims to spread peace and positivity for mother earth’s departed souls. We have taken the responsibility of cremating more than 11,000 (eleven thousand) unclaimed and unidentified dead bodies. T.E.S.F has ensured that their cremation and last rites are carried out with thorough prayers and the utmost dignity. These bodies had been rooting away in governmental and public morgues for weeks on end and were unfortunately not claimed by their respective families. We at T.E.S.F with the help of the authorities, bring hundreds of dead bodies to the cremation centers, and perform their last rites with the utmost dignity and respect. Even during the second wave of the pandemic, TESF took the responsibility of thoroughly performing the last rites of unclaimed covid patients bodies.
Our organisation is a supporter for environmental preservation and fighter against deforestation. We acknowledge the harmful effects of wood fire cremation on our trees and air and not only promote but also carry out funerals using electric cremation services. Shri Ravi Kalra (Karma Yogi) is the only non-priest in the world, who through our project Karmic Seva, has personally cremated more than 8000 unclaimed and unidentified dead bodies at the electric crematoriums. Ravi Kalra believes that the cremation centre (Shamshan Ghat) is a house of Lord Shiva, it is a place where one can learn that the only existing truth in the universe is “death”. Cremation centre (Shamshan Ghat) is a place where one can find the reality of human life by understanding that after death nothing goes with you accept your good deeds and karmas.
Our Vice President, Jas Kalra, the bright and young future of this organisation, following his father’s footsteps, has started to frequently visit the electric crematoriums. At the center he has begun to take part in the prayers, last rites, and other cremating practises of numerous unclaimed dead bodies. Jas Kalra acknowledges the impact one can have in serving those without a family, even after their demise. In his view, the living and the dead, both deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and love.
Whenever a new rescue arrives at our shelter homes we make it our mission to provide them with best medical, emotional and physical care. But despite all our efforts some residents are unable to recover and hence, suffer a horrible and painful death. We take such tragedies very seriously and ensure that after the unfortunate death of a resident their last rites are performed at the electric cremation centre, with the utmost respect and dignity, keeping in mind their religious beliefs and rituals. Shri Ravi Kalra after performing their last rites, collects their ashes and escorts them to Haridwar for Asthi Visarjan and Holy Ganga ji snan (Holy Bath) to ensure their divine souls rest peacefully in heaven. We at T.E.S.F ensure the practise of a safe and eco-friendly cremation, while also providing those unclaimed souls with a dignified funeral.
