Anasuya: The Woman Steering a Shivamogga Crematorium for 25 Years

Rapid Summary:

• A 45-year-old woman, Anasuya, from Shivamogga has been working at the Rotary Crematorium in Vidya Nagara for over 25 years.
• social customs that restrict women from cremation ceremonies did not deter her; she stepped into the role after her husband,who was a watchman at the crematorium,passed away.
• Anasuya has managed thousands of cremations alone, including during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic when she single-handedly cremated many bodies due to restrictions on public gatherings.
• Originally from Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district, she moved to Shivamogga after marriage and lived for years in a makeshift hut near burning pyres. She now resides in a rented house and earns ₹8,000 per month through her work.
• Her requests to local authorities for assistance with housing have so far gone unfulfilled. She remains committed to her duties despite social isolation and various hardships.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
Anasuya’s story brings attention to both the empowerment and resilience of individuals challenging societal norms while highlighting systemic neglect. Despite being one of very few women actively participating in duties traditionally off-limits to them due to cultural taboos, Anasuya’s long-standing contribution remains largely unrecognized by authorities.This raises questions about societal priorities regarding worker welfare and gender equity at workplaces that deal with essential human affairs such as mortuary services.Moreover, her unmet plea for basic housing underscores gaps in governance responsiveness towards marginalized individuals who perform critical yet frequently enough invisible roles within communities.Read More: Link