Example: Woman marries widowed daughter-in-law off to younger son

By Satchidananda Behera

Kendrapara, Jan. 17: A woman in Odisha’s Kendrapara has set an example of highest order by solemnizing her younger son’s marriage with her widowed daughter-in-law, thereby giving the latter a new lease of life.

According to reports, the large-hearted woman Shantilata Sethi, a resident of Aul, solemnized her younger son’s marriage with her widowed daughter-in-law.

“My daughter-in-law Kajol was shattered after my elder son Sunil’s death. Sunil was suffering from cancer. We tried our best to save Sunil, but in vain. Kajol has three children from Sunil. She was devastated after Sunil died of cancer. She is only 26 years old. She had married Sunil when she was only 18. I did not find anything wrong in solemnizing her marriage with my younger son Anil. By doing this, my daughter-in-law will remain in my family only. My son saved my grandchildren from becoming orphans.”

They tied the nuptial knot at a simple ceremony organized at the village Jagannath temple. Anil put vermillion on his sister-in-law’s head, giving her the recognition of his wife. The marriage was held in the presence of relatives and villagers.

Residents of the locality also showered their praise on Anil for marrying his sister-in-law, who is a mother of three children.

Anil said, “My brother was a cancer patient. Though we spent huge money for his treatment, we failed to save him. He died one and a half years ago. I was in Abu Dhabi when he died. Following his death, I came back to Odisha. Though I was searching for a bride, my mother gave a proposal of marrying my sister-in-law. Keeping the family’s situation in mind, I said yes to the proposal to give a better life to my sister-in-law and three children.

Lauding Shantilata’s move, a villager said, “It is really appreciable. Her actions are louder than words. She is not a mother-in-law, she is a good mother. Also, Anil should be praised for marrying Kajol without hesitation.”