NRI sets up facility for last rites
Thursday, 09/05/2013
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=69305&boxid=59476&uid=&dat=2013-05-09
Aimed at according dignity during the last rites of people who were financially weak, especially the Dalits, an England-based NRI is setting up a facility where the last rites would be performed free of cost.
NRI Darshan Ram Jassal is getting the “Ambedkar Peace Pagoda” built in Panj Dhera Goindwal village, close to the Sutlej river. Here, the last rites of the poor, irrespective of their caste, religion and community, would be performed by Buddhist monks.
The facility is under construction though the last rites services have begun.
After spending around 40 years in England, Jassal embraced Buddhism and became a monk at the age of 69 years.
In this project, he was monetarily assisted by a close England-based friend, Deewan Singh. A retired barrister, Deewan Singh was inspired by the teachings of Buddhism and came forward to help Jassal in setting up this project at Phillaur. This project is being managed by a five-member committee, headed by Jassal.
The other four members are from Punjab.
Varinder Jassal, who’s the nephew of Darshan Ram Jassal said, “The project is being managed by the Ambedkar Peace Pagoda and Deewan Singh Mukti Dham. My uncle was motivated by the teachings of Lord Buddha and wanted to set up this project, which would provide better and free-of-cost last rites facilities to the poor.”
He said Jassal was moved by the plight of the poor people, especially the Dalits, who could not even get decent last rites.
He also has plans to provide monetary assistance to the poor for performing these rituals.
Spread over an acre, the Rs 6-crore facility would have two guest houses, a library with Buddhist literature and a vast space to perform the last rites.
