Maharashtra Man Celebrates Birthday At Crematorium To Send Out Message Against Blind Beliefs

Gautam Ratan More who lives in Kalyan town in Maharashtra's Thane district celebrated his 54th birthday at the Mohane crematorium near Ulhas river on November 19.

More wanted to convey a message against blind beliefs and superstitions prevailing in the society. 

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New Delhi: A man in Maharashtra celebrated his birthday in a crematorium in an attempt to bust myths surrounding such places. Gautam Ratan More who lives in Kalyan town in Maharashtra's Thane district celebrated his 54th birthday at the Mohane crematorium near Ulhas river on November 19. He wanted to convey a message against blind beliefs and superstitions prevailing in society. 

According to a PTI report, on Saturday night, over 100 guests had gathered to celebrate his birthday, including women, children and senior citizens and they were served biryani and cake. 

A video surfaced on social media on Wednesday, of the birthday celebration with a big banner in the background and cake cutting. 

As per the report, More spoke to media persons during the event, he said that he got the inspiration to celebrate his birthday at a crematorium from renowned social worker Sindhutai Sapkal and noted rationalist late Narendra Dabholkar, who campaigned against blind beliefs, black magic and superstitions.

More said he wanted to send out a message to people that ghosts which are generally associated with crematoriums and other such places, do not exist.

According to a TOI report, More is a member of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti. He was quoted by the news outlet as saying, "My family had advised me to celebrate my birthday at a hotel but I chose a crematorium so that people can know that there are no such things as ghosts and no untoward incidents happen if you celebrate at such places."

More’s friend Anand Shinde told TOI, that initially, he was in two minds after More invited him because of “misconceptions about a crematorium being haunted by ghosts and other evil forces” at night. But after he went to the party he realized that those were just nothing but “misplaced misconceptions”.