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.
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Mudigere: 22-yr-old youngster hangs herself to death after father scolds her for not making curry
Mudigere: A 22-year-old young woman, Soujanya Poojary, who was upset over an apparently trivial issue, has allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at home in Devavrinda village of the taluk on Saturday evening.
On Saturday morning, Soujanya’s father Natesh Poojary handed her vegetables, instructed her to prepare curry using them and went out. When he returned home in the afternoon, however, he found that his daughter had not prepared the curry and scolded her. He also told her to get curry from a neighbour’s house and again went out.
Soujanya, after being treated harshly by her father, reportedly closed the door of the house and hanged herself to death inside.
Gonibeedu Police officers, who were informed of her death, have registered a case and are investigating.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
