Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh): Breaking tradition, a doctor from Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district decided not to conduct the mrityubhoj of his deceased mother, and instead use the money to provide financial aid to 25 poor girls.
Dr Pramod Gupta, a famous pediatrician from Jhansi district, has his paternal home in Hamirpur district's Bihuni village. After his mother Gyandevi passed away at the age of 94 a few days ago, the doctor's family came down to Hamirpur.
The family then conducted all the final rites of the deceased as per tradition.
However, the doctor's wife Rashmi suggested that instead of conducting the mrityubhoj (an act of feeding people after the death of a person), they use that money for providing help to girls from poor backgrounds.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Dr Gupta said that his wife gave him the suggestion as feeding people in large gatherings would not be appropriate in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The family then decided to utilise around Rs 1.25 lakh set aside for the mrityubhoj to provide financial assistance to girls.
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Along with the help of villagers, who approved of the family's novel idea, 25 girls from different communities were chosen to receive the aid. The family then handed over a fixed deposit worth Rs 5,000 to each of the girls in the deceased's honour.
Dr Gupta said that the girls could use the money for their education or for their wedding in the future. Further, he urged other people to come forward with similar initiatives in order to help poor girls.
