He noticed how much wastage was incurred through the traditional method of cremation that was practiced by his people, the Pnars of the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. He also sought to alleviate the emotional strain of seeing one’s loved one being cremated as the norm for cremations in the Jaintia Hills is to build a crematory pyre in an open area into which the dead body is placed. The building of these pyres requires two fully grown trees to be cut down and also cost a lot (about Rs. 5,000). Added to this, the fires are difficult to keep under control after the pyre is lit.

       Mr. Chulai saw these problems and got to work. Within a period of four years, he came up with an alternative which saves both money and the environment. This period of four years was also used to persuade the Sein Raij Jowai, the social and religious body that regulates the local Niamtre faith, to divert from the traditional system of cremation.

       After finally convincing the Sein Raij, the crematorium was built at a cost of Rs. 600,000 and the first cremation in this place took pace in June 2003. Now, almost 80% of all cremations in Jowai take place in this crematorium. All this has been done with practically no help from the government. Apart from the 25,000 that he received from the then Chief Minister, Dr. D. D. Lapang, Mr. Chulai has had absolutely no help from the government. In fact, the construction of the crematorium was paid for by the Sein Raij.

  This has however not dissuaded Mr. Chulai who’s crematorium has now become immensely popular. He has fought for his creation and he has emerged out of the fray victorious. Even now, another crematorium is being built at Dulong under his supervision while villagers from Shangpung, another Jaintia hamlet nearby have asked him to design one for their village.