In a heartwarming and emotional moment, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited the home of Pulwama martyr Hemraj Meena to attend the wedding of the martyr’s daughter, fulfilling a promise he made six years ago. Birla arrived with ‘Mayra’—a traditional wedding custom in Rajasthan where the maternal uncle (mama) brings gifts and blessings to his sister’s home for her daughter’s wedding.

The home of Veerangana Madhubala, widow of martyr Hemraj, was filled with joy and celebration for the first time since her husband’s martyrdom in the 2019 Pulwama attack. The presence of Om Birla as a ‘brother’ figure to Madhubala added a deep emotional layer to the occasion. Birla had promised to stand by the family as a brother during their difficult times and today, he honored that bond by participating in the Mayra ceremony.

Birla had met the family after the martyrdom of CRPF jawan Hemraj and vowed to support them through every phase of life. Since then, Madhubala has tied rakhi and performed brotherly rituals for Birla on Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj each year. His presence at the wedding of her daughter was seen as a reaffirmation of that brotherly relationship.

During the ceremony, Om Birla draped a traditional chunari over Madhubala, symbolizing his support and blessings. In return, she performed the traditional ’tilak’ and ‘aarti’ rituals, marking the sacred bond of brother and sister. Rajasthan Energy Minister and Sangod MLA Heeralal Nagar also accompanied Birla and participated in the rituals.

The event was filled with emotional moments, especially when tributes were paid to martyr Hemraj Meena. Speaker Birla, Madhubala, and the entire family remembered the braveheart with tearful eyes and heavy hearts. Birla also offered floral tributes at the statue of the martyr, emphasizing the nation’s gratitude and respect for the ultimate sacrifice.