Amreli: In a recent rather touching and rather unorthodox send-off, a family in Amreli district of Gujarat bid their car adieu with all the pomp and ceremony usually reserved for a loved one. The car which had been the family’s loyal companion for almost two Decades was laid to rest in Padarshinga village in a special burial ceremony attracting many people from the region.
The owner of the car is the farmer Sanjay Polra who bought the car back in 2006 and over time the car has not only been used for transport. For Sanjay and his family the car was an emblem of wealth and success, as they felt it had blessed their lives and the society they live in. In order to commemorate this spirit they arranged a grand send off that included flowers, green cloth drape and a hindu ceremony with priests. Family members and other villagers wet tearful farewell to the car, and the total cost of the ceremony was about ₹5 lakh.
An invitation was extended to 1500 villagers, and religious leaders and other officials graced the occasion. It had been written on the invitation, “This car has become part of our family and it has bought us good fortune.” We want to remember it always, and so we are giving it a respectable departure.”
After the farewell, the family accompanied the body to the burial site on their farm, where the car was taken to be laid to rest. Sanjay Polra said, “It felt only right to honour it in a meaningful way as it bought so much happiness to the family.” He also pledged that every November 7 he will come to the site to lay a wreath and plant trees around the area to keep the memory of his “lucky car”.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times, resident Vipul Sojitra mentioned how he was initially taken aback by the ceremony but could then see the family’s intention to honour something they cherished.
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