“Options at Doongerwadi”

The effectiveness of the solar reflectors installed at the dakhmas can only be judged if one cannot detect the slightest stench in the close vicinity of the dakhmas and in the absence of other palliative measures like ozone injection and sprinkling of herbal powder over the corpses.

With the total absence of the scavenger vultures, the solar reflectors have become half-baked, inefficient schemes to pamper to the whims and fancies of religious fundamentalists. The Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees are supporting the project only because some private parties have agreed to bear the initial installation costs, but it will not obviate the regular operational costs on electricity and manpower for tilting the solar reflectors in accordance with the movements of the sun.

Recent reports in Science Reporter indicate that apart from the scavenger vultures, some other birds like storks and cranes are also facing extinction for various reasons the ornithologists are not able to fathom.

Under the circumstances, the only alternative is electric cremation which is also the most sanitary method. As has been rightly pointed out by D. R. Antia ("Options at Doongerwadi,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, September 2002), religion has nothing to do with outdated customs.

It is hoped that the newly constituted BPP will at least permit prayers in the bunglis for those opting for electric cremation, or in the alternative provide a plot at Ambawadi for the construction of a separate bungli as proposed by the Disposal of the Dead with Dignity — Action Group.

Dr P. D. SUNAVALA