Leuva Patels to do away with archaic mourning rituals

SURAT: Thousands of people belonging to the Patel community have taken a pledge to treat their daughter-in-law as their own daughter and in case she was ever rendered a widow, to get her remarried and settled in life, at a function held here on Saturday.
The programme was organized under the aegis of Khodadham Trust, Kagwad, Saurashtra, to eradicate some age-old social customs in the community.Vithal Radadiya, BJP MP from Porbandar, who had got his daughter-in-law Manisha remarried recently after the death of his son Kalpesh, was also felicitated at the function.
The community leaders decided that from now on those who had attended the cremation of a deceased need not come for 'besana' that is held a few days after the last rites are performed. This will help reduce traffic congestion in that particular area where the condolence meeting is held. From now on, a woman need not have to go to the crossroads to break her bangles on the death of her husband, community leaders resolved.
Another oath pertained to the presence of a deceased woman's husband at the crematorium. So far, the custom was that the husband need not go to the crematorium to remain eligible for remarriage.
Mayor Niranjan Janjmera said, "The social revolution that has started from Surat will hopefully reach every part of the country."
Gujarat Pradesh BJP president R C Faldu said, "These steps will show a new way to the society."