Breaking tradition, 4 girls perform dad’s last rites

Breaking the age-old tradition wherein only men performed last rites, four sisters here have set an example by carrying the bier of their father on their shoulders to the Harishchandra ghat in Varanasi for cremation.

Ramya, Garima, Saumya and Mahima carried the bier of their father Yogesh Chandra Upadhyaya here on Thursday.

Garima lit the funeral pyre. Their family members and relatives also supported their act and stood by them.

Garima said there should not be any discrimination between men and women.

The four sisters said they want to set an example for the society, giving a message of gender equality.

Yogesh Chandra, resident of Bhaidaini area of the city, is survived by five daughters — Ramya, Garima, Saumya, Mahima and Arima — and his wife Urmila.