Bhopal: A farmer from Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district has turned a deeply rooted social ritual into a nationwide conversation — with the help of a simple invitation card that carried an extraordinary message.
Instead of inviting people for a traditional “mrityu bhoj” after his death, farmer Ram Sia Patel chose to publicly reject the practice altogether. His unusual card, which has now gone viral on social media, appealed to family members not to organise expensive death feasts and instead use the money for meaningful work such as education and social welfare.
The message struck a chord far beyond his village. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Patel’s initiative during the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, praising the farmer for taking a bold stand against social customs that often push poor families into financial distress.
According to reports, Patel distributed the cards among villagers to create awareness about the burden caused by lavish post-death rituals in many rural areas. The gesture quickly gained attention online, with many calling it a powerful social reform movement started by an ordinary farmer.
Locals say the initiative has already sparked discussions in nearby villages, where families frequently borrow money to conduct such ceremonies due to social pressure.
What made the story resonate was not just the message, but the simplicity behind it — one farmer using his own life as an example to challenge a costly tradition that many silently struggle with.