Former Air Force veteran in Bihar holds his own funeral to witness ‘how people honor me’
Gaya (Bihar): A 74-year-old former Indian Air Force veteran, Mohanlal, from Konchi village in Guraru block of Gaya district, organised and attended his own funeral procession while still alive.
Mohanlal was carried on a flower-adorned bier to the local cremation ground as band music played and people chanted “Ram Naam Satya Hai.” The atmosphere was accompanied by the tune of “Chal ud ja re panchhi, ab desh hua begana” playing in the background.
Hundreds of villagers attended the procession after Mohanlal personally invited them. Upon reaching the cremation ground, he rose from the bier, and a symbolic effigy was burned in his place. The rituals were conducted according to traditional customs, and the ashes were later immersed in a nearby river. A communal meal was also organised for all attendees.
Explaining his decision, Mohanlal said he wanted to witness his own final journey. “When a person dies, they cannot see who attends their funeral. I wanted to experience this myself and understand how much respect and love people have for me,” he said.
Known for his social contributions, Mohanlal had earlier used his pension to construct a well-equipped cremation ground after observing the difficulties villagers faced during cremations in the rainy season. Villagers described his initiative as a source of inspiration for the entire community.
Mohanlal has two sons, Dr. Deepak Kumar, a doctor based in Kolkata, and Vishw Prakash, a school teacher, along with a daughter, Gudiya Kumari, who lives in Dhanbad. His wife, Jeevan Jyoti, passed away 14 years ago. Mohanlal continues to use his pension to support local social causes.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
School timings changed in Jharkhand following IMD's heat wave warning
Ranchi (PTI): The Jharkhand government on Monday announced a change in school timings from April 21 in view of heat wave-like conditions across the state, an official said.
Under the new schedule, students from kindergarten to class 8 will attend schools from 7 am to 11.30 am, while senior pupils from class 9 to 12 will continue classes till noon, an order by the education department said.
This adjustment applies to all categories of government, aided, unaided, and private schools in the state till further orders. Schools earlier followed different timings that extended well beyond noon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a 'yellow' alert (be updated) of heat wave from April 20 to April 22 for northwest, central and southern parts of Jharkhand.
The districts facing heat wave-like situations on Monday include Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra, Latehar, Bokaro and Dhanbad.
The districts likely to be affected by the heat wave on Tuesday include Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra, Latehar, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Simdega, Saraikela-Kharswan, and East and West Singhbhum, according to the weather bulletin issued by Ranchi Meteorological Centre.
Daltonganj recorded the state's highest maximum temperature at 43.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday evening, while Bokaro simmered at 43.1 degrees Celsius and Ranchi registered 39.3 degrees Celsius.
State Health and Disaster Management Minister Irfan Ansari on Sunday advocated for the change of school timings in view of the heat wave-like situation in the state.
Ansari directed all the officials of his department to remain alert and take necessary steps so that the people, especially children, are not affected by the heat wave.
The weather department has advised people to stay hydrated, wear light-coloured, loose-fitting cotton clothes, and cover their heads with a cloth, hat, or umbrella when outdoors.
