Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh): Amid ongoing pandemic when customs are changing at a rapid pace, the Patidar community from Malwa -Nimar region in western Madhya Pradesh has decided to stop organising Mratyubhoj, a post-death feast.
A decision has been taken after community held discussion over a webinar organised recently in which Patidar and Kulmi leaders from 12 districts participated.
Mratyubhoj - an act of feeding priests, family, villagers, relatives and the poor after death of a person - is an age-old Hindu tradition widely practised across the country and is known by different names in different regions.
Many communities have objected to it, stating that it puts financial burden on individuals, especially the poor, for they have to feed scores of people due to community pressure. Many have to borrow money by mortgaging their property. In case any individual doesn't organise Mratyubhoj, he is ridiculed and labelled a miser.
At the webinar, Patidar community leaders made it clear that only family members will participate in Mratyubhoj. Farming is main occupation of Patidar community.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Patidar Samaj Sangathan president Ashok Kataria, patron Mahendra Patidar said community members in more than 1,500 villages and cities of different districts will organise a plantation drive from July 8 - August 8, 2021.
Plantation will be done every day at places like along rivers, streams, land, community buildings, shrines, dharamshalas, school complexes, colonies, cremation sites, gardens.
Every family of Patidar community will plant at least five saplings and will also take a pledge to protect them. Besides, it was decided to compile a list of community members who died due to Covid-19 in next 15 days so that benefits of welfare schemes of central and state governments can be availed.
