[Reader-list] Scientist dies in Antarctica, cremation may be webcast

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

*Scientist dies in Antarctica, cremation may be webcast

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*Fri, Jun 5 08:55 PM*

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*Hindustan Times*




The death of an Indian scientist in the icy continent of Antarctica has left
his grieving family in Delhi in a state of bitter helplessness. There is no
way to bring back the body before October due to six months of darkness and
extreme cold.

The family has reluctantly given permission to cremate him in Antarctica -
which would be the first of its kind in that continent. Antarctica holds 90
per cent of the world's ice and is the southernmost continent, covering 14
million sq km.

Kuldeep Wali, 57, a professional meteorologist with the India Meteorological
Department (IMD), died of a massive heart attack on Monday. He is survived
by his wife Rita Wali and daughter Anshu Wali.

Rasik Ravindra, director of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean
Research told HT from Goa on Wednesday, "With wind speeds above 45-50 km per
hour and temperature at minus 15-20 degrees Centigrade, I am unable to say
when the cremation will take place." He said, "The team will do the
cremation with full dignity.

We will take guidance from a pandit (Hindu priest) and communicate it to the
team members." This is not the first time an Indian scientist has died in
the icy continent.

Four expedition members had died of carbon monoxide poisoning inside a camp
in 1989-90. But their bodies were brought back to the country because it was
summer.

It still took three months for the bodies to arrive in India, Ravindra
said.Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan met the family and
told them that the government would try to show the live webcast of his
cremation.

Jeetu, Wali's niece said, "The family decided to have him cremated there as
we are Kashmiri Brahmins and do not keep the body for such a long time after
death.".
Satyen Mohapatra