These four daughters-in-law from Maharashtra broke age-old traditions and carried the body of their beloved mother-in-law for the last. And we find it quite inspiring.
Our Indian society has been unfair to our daughters-in-law.
While many of them are mistreated or disrespected, very few fortunate are blessed with families that treat them right. But what our society fails to understand is when it treats the daughters-in-law right, they return back much more love and respect that anyone could ever imagine.
So, it wasn’t surprising when four tearful daughters-in-law broke age-old traditions and carried their beloved mother-in-law’s body for the last rites.
The beloved woman, Sunderbai Dagdu Naikwade passed away aged 83 at her home in Beed in Maharashtra on Monday due to old age. She left behind her inconsolable family of four sons, their wives, and many grandchildren.
As the family started making the funeral arrangements, all the four emotional daughters-in-law decided to do something special for their mother-in-law, who always treated them as her own daughters.
When daughters-in-law volunteered to lend their shoulders to carry their her body to the crematorium, many relatives and neighbors were left shocked.
The brave women, Lata, Usha, Manisha, and Meena, made sure that society doesn’ stop them from spreading a powerful message of love and respect. As there were some murmurs of protest among the relatives and neighbors, the four daughters-in-law urged everyone to shatter the unfair tradition for good.
When finally they hoisted their mother-in-law’s flower-bedecked arthi on their shoulders and marched to the crematorium, many couldn’t stop but applaud the courage of these daughters-in-law.
Many relatives, neighbors, and friends, including women and curious strangers, also joined the never-seen-before funeral procession.
These bold women didn’t falter and carried their mother-in-law body for around a quarter of a kilometer.
The inspiring family has been associated with Anna Hazare for over two decades now. And, they attempt to implement his teachings at the grassroots level to transform society. This isn’t the first time that we have seen what brave and courageous daughter-in-law can do for their mother-in-law if they receive love and care.
Recently, a daughter-in-law shaved her head and donated her hair to provide emotional support to her mother-in-law fighting against Cancer.
In a country, where many daughters-in-law and mother-in-law struggle with their relationship, this family shows the recipe of the perfect relationship lies in love, care, respect, and acceptance.
At I FOR HER, we wish more power to these daughters-in-law, who not only shattered the unfair social norms but also inspired many to treat their bahus with love and respect that they deserve.