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.
Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
_vb_21.jpeg)