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Elderly Odisha woman fights odds, gets widowed daughter-in-law remarried

In this gratifying news being reported from Angul district, Odisha, an elderly woman solemnized the marriage of her 20-year-old daughter-in-law after the death of her son, thus setting a rare example.

Elderly Odisha woman fights odds, gets widowed daughter-in-law remarried

The wedding ceremony was held at a temple in Rajkishorepada in the district in the presence of Lily's parents and her in-laws recently. (Representational Image: iStock)

In an epoch and milieu when and where widow remarriage is still considered a taboo by many, a woman from Odisha has won the hearts of many by her exemplary act and display of courage which arguably even the best of men would not have exhibited.

In this gratifying news being reported from Angul district, Odisha, an elderly woman solemnized the marriage of her 20-year-old daughter-in-law after the death of her son, thus setting a rare example.

The woman, Pratima Behera, who is a former Sarpanch of Gobara panchayat in Talcher area, got her daughter-in-law Lily Behera remarried, who was earlier married to Rashmi Ranjan, the younger son of Pratima.

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Rashmi Ranjan and Lily Behera of Turanga village got married in February this year. However, Rashmi Ranjan and three others lost their lives in a coal mine mishap that took place on July 23 that was triggered by a landslide at the Bharatpur Coalmine of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd.

Even though Rashmi’s family was mourning his loss, they took the brave decision of getting Lily remarried as they realized that the widowed Lily’s life alone could be full of stigma and other difficulties. That is when Pratima talked to Lily and convinced her to remarry.

Pratima said she put forth a proposal of marriage between her daughter-in-law and her brother’s son Sangram Behera. “I lost my son in a coalmine mishap and the loss will always remain irreplaceable. However, I love my daughter-in-law and want her to lead a happy life. So, I decided to get my daughter-in-law remarried,” said Pratima.

The wedding ceremony was held at a temple in Rajkishorepada in the district in the presence of Lily’s parents and her in-laws recently.

(With IANS inputs)

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